Quick Answer
The correct answer is to configure the 'Open in protected view' policy setting. This option ensures that users are warned before opening potentially malicious attachments in Outlook on the web by rendering the file in a sandboxed, read-only environment, which prevents any active content from executing until the user explicitly chooses to enable editing. On the Microsoft 365 Administrator MS-102 exam, this question tests your understanding of Safe Attachments policies within Microsoft Defender for Office 365, specifically how different actions affect user experience and security. A common trap is confusing 'Open in protected view' with 'Dynamic delivery,' which replaces attachments with placeholders rather than warning the user, or with 'Attachments are held and scanned,' which delays delivery entirely. To remember this, think of the word "warn" — only the protected view setting issues a visible warning before opening, acting like a security guard who stops you at the door to check a package before you handle it.
This MS-102 practice question tests your understanding of manage security and threats by using microsoft defender xdr. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Your organization uses Microsoft Defender for Office 365. You need to ensure that users are warned before opening potentially malicious attachments in Outlook on the web. Which policy setting should you configure?
Attachments in email are blocked
Why wrong: This blocks delivery, not warn the user.
Open in protected view
This displays a warning before opening a file in a sandboxed view.
Attachments are held and scanned
Why wrong: This delays delivery until scan completes, not warn the user.
Dynamic Delivery
Why wrong: Dynamic delivery delivers the email but replaces attachments with placeholders until scan completes, not a warning before opening.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Open in protected view
Option C is correct because the 'Open in protected view' option displays a warning before opening a file in a sandboxed view. Option A is wrong because dynamic delivery delivers the email but replaces attachments with placeholders until scan completes. Option B is wrong because 'Attachments in email are blocked' completely blocks delivery. Option D is wrong because 'Attachments are held and scanned' delays delivery until scan completes.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Attachments in email are blocked
Why it's wrong here
This blocks delivery, not warn the user.
Open in protected view
Why this is correct
This displays a warning before opening a file in a sandboxed view.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Attachments are held and scanned
Why it's wrong here
This delays delivery until scan completes, not warn the user.
Dynamic Delivery
Why it's wrong here
Dynamic delivery delivers the email but replaces attachments with placeholders until scan completes, not a warning before opening.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Identify which MS-102 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Manage security and threats by using Microsoft Defender XDR — This question tests Manage security and threats by using Microsoft Defender XDR — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Open in protected view — Option C is correct because the 'Open in protected view' option displays a warning before opening a file in a sandboxed view. Option A is wrong because dynamic delivery delivers the email but replaces attachments with placeholders until scan completes. Option B is wrong because 'Attachments in email are blocked' completely blocks delivery. Option D is wrong because 'Attachments are held and scanned' delays delivery until scan completes.
Identify which MS-102 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Your organization uses Microsoft Defender for Office 365. You need to ensure that all email messages containing encrypted attachments are automatically scanned for malware before delivery. What should you configure?
easyWhy A: Option A is correct because Safe Attachments policy can be configured to scan encrypted attachments. Option B is wrong because it's for links. Option C is wrong because it's for anti-spam. Option D is wrong because it's for anti-malware.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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