Fix Attack Simulator Indicators Not Working in Internet Explorer
Question details
Microsoft Attack Simulator landing-page indicators fail to respond to hover actions in Internet Explorer, while functioning correctly in Google Chrome.
- Product
- Microsoft Defender for Office 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Users are interacting with a spear-phishing simulation landing page and trying to hover over indicators to learn about the attack.
- Observed behavior
- Hover indicators do not respond in Internet Explorer, preventing users from viewing the tooltips and completing the interactive training.
Ensure you have administrative access to Microsoft Defender for Office 365 to verify campaign settings and confirm whether your organization still mandates the use of legacy browsers like Internet Explorer.
Access the Simulator Using a Modern Web Browser
Internet Explorer lacks support for modern web scripts used by the Attack Simulator. Switching to a supported browser is the most direct fix.
The interactive indicators on the Attack Simulator landing page rely on advanced JavaScript and modern web capabilities. Internet Explorer does not fully support these scripts, leading to unresponsive hover elements.
Close Internet Explorer and open a modern browser such as Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox.
Copy the original Attack Simulator training link from your email and paste it into the new browser's address bar.
Navigate the landing page and hover over the indicators again to verify they are now interactive and properly displaying the educational tooltips.
Verify Campaign Settings in Microsoft Defender
Ensure the phishing campaign is correctly configured and the selected payload functions as intended.
Try WPS Office for a Fast, Secure, and Compatible Experience
While browser compatibility issues can disrupt your workflow in web-based Microsoft 365 apps, utilizing a lightweight desktop client like WPS Office ensures smooth, uninterrupted offline productivity without browser dependencies.
- 1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for your operating system.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
- 3. Open and edit files: Launch WPS Office to instantly view, edit, or create documents with perfect Microsoft Office format compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do some Microsoft 365 features fail in Internet Explorer?
Internet Explorer is a legacy browser that lacks native support for modern web standards, HTML5, and advanced JavaScript frameworks. These modern scripts are heavily utilized in recent Microsoft 365 interactive pages, causing compatibility errors.
How can I test my Attack Simulator payload before launching the campaign?
In the Microsoft 365 Defender portal under 'Attack simulation training', you can select a payload and click 'Send a test' to deliver a sample to your own inbox. This allows you to safely test functionality and hover interactions across different browsers.
Does Microsoft Defender for Office 365 still support Internet Explorer 11?
No, Microsoft has ended support for Internet Explorer 11 across Microsoft 365 applications and services. Administrators and users must transition to Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or other supported modern browsers to ensure full functionality and security.
