Does Windows Defender detect phishing emails?

Yes, Windows Defender can detect phishing emails. Windows Defender uses artificial intelligence (AI) to detect suspicious emails or websites that are attempting to steal your personal information. It does this by looking for signs of phishing emails and other potentially malicious activity.

First, it looks for similar content in known phishing emails. For example, if the email contains the words “urgent” or “immediate,” Windows Defender may see these as warning signs of a phishing attack. It also looks for typical phishing triggers such as too-good-to-be-true offers and requests for passwords or financial information.

Windows Defender will also check URLs to see if they are malicious. If a website appears on a blacklist, Windows Defender will warn you not to visit the site. Additionally, it scans links within emails to ensure they are safe.

The software also scans attachments to ensure they are not malicious. Windows Defender will block files with known malicious code or those that could be used to spread malware.

Finally, Windows Defender will check to see if an email is coming from an untrusted sender. If an email is sent from an address not in your contact list, Windows Defender may mark it as suspicious.

Overall, Windows Defender is an effective tool for detecting phishing emails. It uses both machine learning and traditional rules-based detection technologies to identify potential threats and prevent attacks. It’s important to remember, however, that Windows Defender is not a cure-all for cybersecurity. It is important to be alert to potential phishing attacks and practice good security habits such as using strong passwords and avoiding suspicious websites.