How To Stop Outlook Emails Auto-Forwarding To Unknown Addresses

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How To Stop Outlook Emails Auto-Forwarding To Unknown Addresses. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

Email auto-forwarding rules can move incoming messages to another address without your knowledge. While this feature is useful for legitimate business purposes, it is also a common tactic used by attackers after compromising an email account. If you suspect your Outlook account is forwarding mail to an unknown address, follow the steps below to review and remove unauthorised rules.

Quick Fix Steps

1. Open Outlook on the web or the Outlook desktop app.
2. Navigate to your mail rules settings.
3. Review all active rules for any forwarding actions.
4. Delete any rules you did not create.
5. Change your Microsoft 365 password and enable multi-factor authentication.

Detailed Instructions

Outlook on the Web

1. Sign in to Outlook on the web at outlook.office.com.
2. Select the Settings (gear) icon in the top-right corner.
3. Choose Mail from the left-hand menu, then select Rules.
4. Review the list of rules. Look for any rule with an action such as Forward to, Redirect to, or Send to.
5. Select any unauthorised rule and choose Delete rule.
6. Select Save to apply your changes.

Outlook Desktop App (Windows)

1. Open Outlook and select File in the top-left corner.
2. Choose Manage Rules & Alerts.
3. In the Rules and Alerts window, review the list under Email Rules.
4. Look for rules where the action includes forwarding or redirecting mail to an external address.
5. Select the rule and click Delete.
6. Click OK to save your changes.

Outlook for Mac

1. Open Outlook and select Outlook from the menu bar, then choose Settings.
2. Select Rules under the Email section.
3. Review the list of rules for any forwarding actions.
4. Select an unauthorised rule and click the Delete (minus) button.
5. Close the Rules window to save your changes.

Troubleshooting

I cannot find the Rules option

If you are using Outlook on the web, ensure you are signed in with your Microsoft 365 work or school account. Personal Outlook.com accounts have a similar interface, but menu labels may differ slightly. In the desktop app, Manage Rules & Alerts is only available for Exchange and Microsoft 365 accounts; POP and IMAP accounts do not support server-side rules.

The rule keeps coming back

If a forwarding rule reappears after you delete it, your account may still be compromised. Attackers with access to your mailbox can recreate rules immediately. Take the following steps:

• Change your Microsoft 365 password immediately.
• Review recent sign-in activity in your Microsoft account security settings.
• Enable multi-factor authentication if it is not already active.
• Check your Sent Items and Deleted Items folders for emails you did not send or delete.

Related Articles

• Setting Up an Email Account in Outlook (POP/IMAP/Exchange)
• Managing Email Signatures in Outlook
• Troubleshooting Outlook Send/Receive Errors
• Using Outlook Calendar and Scheduling Meetings

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