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Drexel University College of Computing & Informatics Technology Services and Support

Decoding Safelinks

Learn how to decode safelinks from Outlook

WARNING!

  • WE DO NOT RECOMMEND DOING THIS AT ALL!
  • Also, DO NOT DO THIS unless you know with 100% certainty who sent you this email.

You cannot turn off Safelinks in Drexel Outlook emails. Nor should you want to.

You can decode Safelinks, if you need to get to that link faster for some reason.

But you should then check the safety of the URL or link you decode.

Here's how to do both.

  1. If you do not know the person who sent you the email, PROCEED NO FURTHER!
  2. Use one of the the Safelink websites below to decode the link.
    a. BUT DO NOT VISIT THE DECODED LINK YET!
    b. https://www.ohio.edu/oit/services/email-calendar/email/safelinks-decoder
    c. https://www.o365atp.com/
  3. Enter the decoded link into all 3 of the websites below, which check inputted links for safety and malicious code.
    a. CHECK THE DECODED LINK IN ALL 3 WEBSITES BELOW. 
    b. https://safeweb.norton.com/
    c. https://transparencyreport.google.com/safe-browsing/search?hl=en
    d. https://global.sitesafety.trendmicro.com/
  4. If 2 out of 3 say it's safe, or 3 out of 3 say it's safe, you're almost certainly fine.
    a. But there's no 100% certainty here
    b. The Trendmicro site below is the most likely to not recognized a URL.
    c. Hence, me saying 2 out of 3.

Still stuck?

The CCI Commons help desk can walk you through it.

Mon–Fri
8am–9:30pm
Sat
9am–6pm
Sun
12pm–5pm

Need help?

The CCI Commons help desk can walk you through it.

Mon–Fri
8am–9:30pm
Sat
9am–6pm
Sun
12pm–5pm