Outlook Users, Here’s What You Need to Know

Email is where most cyberattacks start. For everyday Outlook users, it’s not about being a security expert—it’s about understanding the basics, knowing the risks, and taking simple steps to protect yourself and your organization.

Even small mistakes can have big consequences. In fact, Verizon reports nearly 90% of successful cyberattacks start with a phishing email, and the average cost of a data breach is over $4.4 million.

With Microsoft 365, many security tools are already built-in—but users still play a crucial role in keeping accounts safe. Let’s break it down.

Common Email Threats in Outlook

Here’s what to watch out for:

Even Microsoft Outlook can be targeted. For example, a recent vulnerability (CVE‑2024‑21413) allowed attackers to bypass protected view in Outlook attachments. That’s why user awareness and basic precautions matter as much as technical defenses.

Simple Steps to Keep Your Email Safe

Here’s how to protect your Outlook mailbox without slowing down your day:

1. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
   Accounts with MFA are 99.9% less likely to be compromised. It only takes a few seconds per login but drastically improves security.
2. Use strong, unique passwords
   Avoid reusing passwords across accounts. Consider passphrases or a password manager for convenience.
3. Be cautious with links and attachments
   Hover over links before clicking. If an email asks for login details or urgent action, verify directly with the sender.
4. Keep software up to date
   Apply Outlook, Office, and Windows updates promptly. Many attacks exploit unpatched vulnerabilities.
5. Review mailbox rules and forwarding settings
   Make sure there are no unexpected forwarding rules or auto-replies that could leak information.
6. Leverage Microsoft 365 security tools
   • Turn on Safe Links and Safe Attachments (Microsoft Defender for Office 365)
   • Enable Anti-Phishing and Spoof Intelligence features
   • Use DKIM/SPF/DMARC for company domains to prevent spoofing
7. Backup critical emails
   Even with precautions, things can go wrong. Regular backups provide an extra layer of security.

Bottom Line

Email security doesn’t have to be intimidating. By enabling MFA, being mindful of links and attachments, and using the tools already available in Microsoft 365, you drastically reduce the risk of compromise.

Think of it this way: every extra step you take makes it that much harder for attackers to succeed. And for Outlook users, the best defense is a combination of awareness, simple habits, and built-in Microsoft protections.

Protecting your email is protecting your business—and it doesn’t have to be complicated.