Email security warnings: what they mean and what to do
Email security warnings appear as banners at the top of some messages. They help you identify phishing, spoofing and other suspicious emails before you open links or attachments.
This guide explains the warning labels you may see and how you should respond.
Common email warning banners
{Virus?}
A virus has been detected in an attachment or link.
What to do:
Do not open the email. Delete it or report it.
{Filename?}
The email contains a file type that is blocked by the University.
What to do:
Treat the email as unsafe. If you were not expecting it, report it.
{Blocked Content?}
An attachment or link has been blocked because it may be harmful.
What to do:
Do not try to bypass the block. Report the email so it can be checked.
{Size}
The message is large and may have been scanned differently for storage or security reasons.
What to do:
Large emails can still be suspicious. Use caution before opening links or attachments.
{Disarmed}
The email contains tracking links. These have been disabled for your protection.
What to do:
Be cautious if the sender or content seems unusual.
{Fraud?}
The email matches patterns commonly seen in fraud attempts.
What to do:
Do not click any links. Verify the message before taking any action.
{Spam?}
The message contains characteristics typical of spam.
What to do:
Be careful, especially if the email is unexpected or asks you to click a link or attachment.
{Hi Scoring Spam? in $HOSTNAME}
The email has a high spam score and is very likely to be junk.
What to do:
If you’re not sure, report it rather than interacting with it.
If you receive a warning banner
Warning banners are helpful but they will not catch every suspicious email. Legitimate emails may also trigger a warning from time to time. If something feels unusual, trust your instincts and check before responding.
How to report suspicious emails
Using Outlook
Select Report Phishing if the button is available.
If the button is not available
Forward the message to [email protected].
Need help?
If you’re unsure about an email or want advice about a warning banner, contact the IT Service Desk.