Don't Just Delete It, Report It! Introducing the New Phish Alert Button
September 25, 2025
UA Gmail users may have noticed a new icon recently appear to the side of their inbox:
the KnowBe4 Phish Alert button looks like an orange fishing hook, and can be used to quickly mark suspicious emails as phishing attempts.
When you encounter an email you suspect is malicious, simply open the message and click the orange hook icon to the right (or at the very bottom of the message, if you're on a mobile device). A prompt will ask you to confirm that you want to report the email. Once confirmed, the message will be automatically removed from your inbox and forwarded to the OIT Security team for analysis! This is now the preferred method for reporting suspected phishing attempts.
This tool is provided by KnowBe4, the same company we are now partnering with for our annual cybersecurity awareness training. By integrating the reporting tool with our training platform, OIT Security can better track the types of phishing emails our users are seeing and tailor future training to be even more effective.
We'd also like to extend a thank-you to the many vigilant employees who reported the recent email about training requirements as suspicious last month. While those particular emails were legitimate communications from the KnowBe4 platform, your cautious approach is exactly what helps keep our university safe!
Moving forward, this new Phish Alert Button is the perfect tool to use in those situations. When you're unsure about an email's legitimacy– even one that seems to be from a known vendor like KnowBe4– using this button ensures the security team can review it and verify its safety.
In short: caught a phish? Click the button!
If you have any questions about the Phish Alert button or KnowBe4, please don’t hesitate to contact us at the Nook Tech Service Desk!
Thanks so much for your time,
Nanook Technology Services Service Desk
907-450-8300
helpdesk@alaska.edu
/nooktech/