Who is this article for?

Users who encounter the whitelisting issue.

IT Admin permissions are required for some steps.

When learners or administrators click on the Academy URL received via email, they may encounter a warning from Microsoft Defender SmartScreen indicating that the site is potentially malicious.

1. Issue

This issue occurs because Microsoft Defender SmartScreen uses a dynamic list of reported malicious sites, maintained exclusively by Microsoft and not publicly available. Sometimes, legitimate URLs are wrongly flagged.

2. General resolution

Step 1: Identify the issue

• Confirm the warning is from Microsoft Defender SmartScreen.
• Note the exact flagged URL (e.g., https://www.ideagenacademy.com/start).

Step 2: Verify URL

• Ensure the URL is correct and from a trusted source (e.g., official Academy communications).
• Check if others have the same issue to rule out isolated cases.

Step 3: Contact IT

• Ask your IT team to whitelist the URL in Microsoft Defender.
• Provide the flagged URL and issue details.

3. IT team resolution

To whitelist the Academy URL in Microsoft Defender:

1. Access Microsoft 365 Defender Portal and go to Policies and Rules.
2. Open Threat Policies under Policies and Rules.
3. Modify Tenant Allow/Block List by selecting it in Threat Policies.
4. Go to the URLs tab, click Add URL, enter https://www.ideagenacademy.com/start, add details, and save to whitelist.