Configure and manage Safe Links

Safe Links is a feature in Microsoft 365 Messaging that enhances the security of email communications by providing real-time scanning and protection against malicious links. With Safe Links, administrators can configure and manage advanced security policies to protect users from clicking on harmful links and being redirected to malicious websites.

1. Set up Safe Links policies:

To configure Safe Links, start by connecting to Exchange Online PowerShell using administrative credentials. Once connected, you can create a new Safe Links policy using the following PowerShell command:

New-SafeLinksPolicy -Name "PolicyName"

Replace “PolicyName” with a meaningful name for your policy. This command creates a new Safe Links policy with default settings.

2. Customize Safe Links settings:

After creating the policy, you can customize the Safe Links behavior according to your organization’s requirements. Some key settings you can configure include:

• Enable or disable Safe Links for specific recipients or domains.
• Set up Safe Links for internal email messages, attachments, or both.
• Append custom text to original URLs to notify users about link scanning.
• Create exceptions for specific URLs or domains that should not be scanned.

To modify these settings, you can use PowerShell commands such as Set-SafeLinksPolicy or manage settings through the Security & Compliance Center.

3. Apply Safe Links policies:

Once you have customized the Safe Links settings, you need to apply the policy to specific users or groups. In Exchange Online PowerShell, you can use the Set-SafeLinksPolicy command to apply the Safe Links policy. Here’s an example:

Set-SafeLinksPolicy -Identity "PolicyName" -RecipientDomainIs example.com

In this example, the policy named “PolicyName” is applied to all recipients with email addresses in the “example.com” domain.

4. Monitor and manage Safe Links:

It’s essential to regularly monitor and manage Safe Links policies to ensure effective security. There are several management tasks you can perform:

• View the list of active Safe Links policies using the Get-SafeLinksPolicy command.
• Disable or remove Safe Links policies that are no longer needed.
• Monitor the effectiveness of Safe Links by reviewing reports and statistics.
• Use the Security & Compliance Center to manage policies through a graphical interface.

By monitoring and managing Safe Links, you can adapt your policies based on emerging threats and provide a secure environment for your organization’s email communications.

In summary, Safe Links is a valuable feature in Microsoft 365 Messaging that helps safeguard users against malicious links. By configuring and managing Safe Links policies, administrators can enhance email security and protect their organization from phishing and other cyber threats. Remember to regularly update and review your policies to stay ahead of evolving security risks.