Reporting Suspected Phishing Emails with the Phish Alert Add-On

UD Gmail users have the ability to report suspected phishing messages through the KnowBe4 Phish Alert Button (PAB) add-on. This feature sets itself apart from Gmail's standard "Report Spam" option by providing users with a specialized tool to enhance the identification and reporting of potential phishing attempts.

Phish Alert
Used for reporting suspicious emails attempting to lure you into giving away information. Reporting a Phish Alert forwards the email to the UDit security team for analysis and deletes the email from your inbox to prevent future exposure.

Report Spam
Used for reporting unsolicited and unwanted junk email (spam) sent out in bulk to indiscriminate recipients. Reporting spam or moving an email into Spam, sends Google a copy of the email for analysis and helps protect all users from spam and abuse.
 

This article includes topics on:

Using the PAB from the Gmail Inbox

Using the PAB from the Gmail Mobile App

Activating the Gmail Phish Alert Add-on (Students Only)
 

Using the PAB from the Gmail Inbox

Use the following procedures from your computer. If you have any problems accessing the Phish Alert Button add-on, contact the IT Service Center at (937) 229-3888 or submit an IT General Help Request.

1. Open an email.
    
2. Click the Phish Alert icon (phish hook) on the Gmail side panel then click the Phish Alert button to report the email.
   
   
   
   NOTE:  If the side panel is hidden, click the Show side panel icon located in the lower right corner of the Gmail window.
   
   
    
3. A confirmation message appears and the reported email is moved to the Trash folder.
    
4. Click the back arrow to return to your inbox.
    

Using the PAB from the Gmail Mobile App

When utilizing the Gmail app on your mobile device, follow these steps. Note that these instructions apply to your UD Gmail account and do not apply to your personal Gmail account. If you have any problems accessing the Phish Alert add-on, contact the IT Service Center at (937) 229-3888 or submit an IT General Help Request.

1. Open an email.
    
2. Scroll to the bottom of the message and locate the add-ons.
    
3. Tap the Phish Alert icon and scroll down to the bottom.
    
4. Tap the Phish Alert button to report the email.
   
   
    
5. A confirmation message appears (if enabled) and the reported email is moved to the Trash folder.
    
6. Tap the back arrow to return to your inbox.
    

Activating the Gmail Phish Alert Add-on (Students Only)

University of Dayton students must activate the Phish Alert Button (PAB) through a KnowBe4 email. If you did not receive the email or have problems activating the PAB, contact the IT Service Center at (937) 229-3888 or submit an IT General Help Request.

1. Open the Gmail Phish Alert Add-on Activation message from KnowBe4.
    
2. Click the Phish Alert Button (phish hook) on the Gmail side panel. If you are using the mobile app, scroll to the bottom of the message and locate and tap the PAB add-on.
   
   
    
3. Once the registration is complete, refresh the browser. If you are using the mobile app, close the email and re-open it.