Phish Alert Button in Outlook

Phishing is one of the biggest security concerns for any organization. Each student, employee or guest with a 糖心vlog蜜桃 account is a potential target for scammers. Adaptive, the company that the 糖心vlog蜜桃 contracts to provide IT Security Awareness and phishing simulation training, also provides tools to help us protect our community from real-world phishing attacks.

As we transition from to Adaptive Security, UofM users will soon see a change to the Phish Alert Button (PAB) in Outlook. This button allows users to report suspected phishing emails easily and safely. It will appear in all Outlook platforms: desktop apps, mobile apps, and Outlook Web Access (OWA).

The KnowBe4 PAB with an arrow pointing to the Adaptive PAB

This webpage will be updated with screenshots and information specific to Adaptive after the transition is complete.

PAB Q&A

When should I use the PAB?

Phishing is an attempt to get personal or account information for malicious purposes, such as financial or identity theft. The PAB should be used any time you get an email you suspect to be a phishing or scam attempt. User reports are the best way for the UofM IT Security team to be alerted to potential attacks and help stop such scams.

The PAB should not be used to report spam (unwanted 鈥渏unk鈥� email) or emails you don鈥檛 want from services you use. These emails should be deleted.

The PAB is not for seeking guidance regarding the legitimacy of an email. If you receive a suspicious email from someone claiming to represent the UofM, please follow up with that department directly via a trusted contact method, such as a phone number or known UofM email address.

Where will I find the PAB?

In the Outlook desktop app, the PAB can be found on the tool ribbon across the top of the window. (Note for Mac users: Currently, the PAB is not compatible with the latest version of Outlook for macOS. KnowBe4 has acknowledged this issue and is currently working on a solution.)

Outlook desktop ribbon with arrow pointing to Phish Alert Button

If you cannot see the button, click the three dots at the end of the ribbon. The PAB will appear on the drop-down list.

Outlook drop-down menu with arrows pointing to Menu button and PAB

If you would like to move the PAB out of the drop-down list and onto the ribbon to be always visible, follow the instructions below.

Right-click (or Ctrl + click in macOS) the tool ribbon.
Rick-click the PAB
Click 鈥淧in to Ribbon鈥�

You can also find the PAB by right-clicking (or Ctrl + Clicking) any message in your Inbox. The PAB will appear on the pop-up menu.

Outlook context drop-down menu with arrow pointing to PAB

In Outlook mobile apps, both iOS and Android, you can find the PAB by opening a message and tapping the three dots on the upper right of your screen.

In Outlook Web Access (OWA), the PAB will be at the top of open messages, to the right of the email header. You will likely see a notification the first time you log in after installation.

PAB installed in OWA with notification that says, "New Add-In: Phish Alert has been installed for you by your IT admin."

How do I use the PAB?

If you receive an email that you believe to be a phishing attempt, simply click the PAB using one of the methods described above. You will see a message asking you to confirm that you want to report the email as phishing. If you confirm, a copy of the email will be sent to the UofM email administrators and IT Security team. The original email will be moved to your Deleted Items folder.

I reported an email, but I need to see it again. Can I still see the email?

Yes. After you report an email using the PAB, the original message is moved to your Deleted Items folder. If you need to see an email you reported, select Deleted Items in your folders list and find the message. If you determine that the email is not a phishing attempt, you can move it back to your Inbox or the appropriate folder by either dragging it to the correct location on your folders list or right-clicking the message and selecting the desired folder in the 鈥淢ove鈥� menu.

I don鈥檛 see the PAB in Outlook, or I have a question not answered here.

The PAB will transition from KnowBe4 to Adaptive during the first week of October 2026. If you do not see the PAB in Outlook afterwards, make sure you are using the latest version of Outlook and restart your device.

If you still cannot see the PAB or have another question, contact the ITS Service Desk at umtech@memphis.edu or 901.678.8888.

Additional Resources:

(KnowBe4.com)

KnowBe4 Security Docs: Using the Phish Alert Button 鈥� Outlook desktop (PDF) and Outlook 365 鈥� Web Access (PDF)

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