Crossed out text in mails (Outlook 365)

hugo1953_xs4all

Hello,

I’m experiencing an issue with Bitdefender and Microsoft Outlook 365.
Some of my incoming emails appear with text that is struck through (crossed out).

It looks like Bitdefender may be modifying the HTML formatting of messages while scanning them.

Could you please advise how to prevent Bitdefender from altering or interfering with the display of email content in Outlook?

Thank you for your help.

Hugo

AlFifi_Defender

Hi @hugo1953 _xs4all,

Thanks for raising this — it’s definitely a puzzling issue, but you’re not alone.

A few users have reported strikethrough or altered HTML formatting in emails when Bitdefender is actively scanning Outlook 365 content.

🧪 Why This Happens:

Bitdefender’s real-time email scanning (especially the Antispam or Antiphishing modules) may sometimes alter how HTML is rendered — particularly when sanitizing content or blocking suspicious elements embedded in the email.

🛠️ Suggested Workaround Options:

✅ 1. Exclude Outlook from Scanning (Cautiously):

⚠️ Only do this if you trust the email sources.

Go to:

Bitdefender Settings → Protection → Online Threat Prevention

Disable:

• Scan SSL (temporarily test this)
• Encrypted web scan
  Or go to Advanced Threat Defense → Exceptions and add Outlook.exe to test.

✅ 2. Switch to Plain Text Mode (for affected messages only):

Sometimes viewing emails in Plain Text avoids HTML formatting bugs introduced by filters.

In Outlook:

Go to File → Options → Trust Center → Email Security → Read all standard mail in plain text

✅ 3. Try Toggling Antispam / Antiphishing modules

If you’re using Bitdefender Premium Security or Total Security, try disabling Antispam temporarily and check incoming mail.

Let me know if this helped — or if you want to dig deeper into advanced exclusions or Outlook diagnostic tools. I’d be happy to walk you through them.

Together we shield smarter.

– AlFifi_Defender 🇸🇦

Bitdefender Community Member