# Zero-Hour Auto Purge for Malware SHOULD Be Enabled

## Description

This setting determines whether emails can be quarantined automatically after delivery to a user’s mailbox (e.g., in the case of a match with an updated malware classification rule).

## Policy

* Zero-hour auto purge (ZAP) for malware SHOULD be enabled in the default antimalware policy and in all existing custom policies.

## Licensing Considerations

This setting requires Defender for Office 365 Plan 1 or Plan 2 which can be purchased standalone or as part of the following bundles:

* Microsoft 365 Business Premium
* Microsoft 365 E3
* Microsoft 365 E5

## Set Up Instructions

[Configure anti-malware policies - Office 365 | Microsoft Learn](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/security/office-365-security/anti-malware-policies-configure?view=o365-worldwide)

To enable ZAP:

1. Sign in to Microsoft 365 Defender.
2. Under Email & collaboration, select Policies & rules.
3. Select Threat policies.
4. Under Policies, select Anti-malware.
5. Select the Default (Default) policy.
6. Click Edit protection settings.
7. Check Enable zero-hour auto purge for malware (Recommended).
8. Click Save.

## End-User Impact

{% hint style="info" %}
Level: <mark style="color:green;">Low</mark>
{% endhint %}

With this setting in place, users will have certain email messages removed from their mailbox if they are detected as malware.

{% hint style="info" %}
Tips

None Currently
{% endhint %}

## PowerShell Scripts

<https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/exchange/set-malwarefilterpolicy?view=exchange-ps>

## Videos

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-0YVW6pNt4>" %}


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.tminus365.com/security/exchange/zero-hour-auto-purge-for-malware-should-be-enabled.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.