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Monitors are threshold-based alert rules that notify you when MailChannels detects suspicious or abusive sending activity on your network. You can receive alerts by email or by webhook, and configure how frequently each alert fires. Setting up monitors is one of the most effective ways to stay ahead of compromised accounts and outbound spam before they affect your deliverability or billing.

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Monitor types

Monitors are available on Standard plan subscriptions and above. You can configure alerts for the following event types:
EventDescription
Sender ID is sending spamA sender is submitting messages flagged as spam
Sender ID is sending to invalid recipientsA sender is addressing messages to non-existent addresses
Sender ID is being rejected by destinationReceivers are rejecting messages from this sender
Sender ID is being rate limitedMailChannels is throttling the sender due to abuse signals
Sender ID is on MailChannels blocklistThe sender has been permanently blocked due to sustained abuse
Sender ID blocked due to FBL reportsReceivers have complained about this sender, triggering a temporary block
Envelope Sender Address is on MailChannels BlocklistThe envelope sender address is blocklisted
Envelope Sender Domain is on MailChannels BlocklistThe envelope sender domain is blocklisted
Envelope Sender Domain is sending spamA sender domain is submitting spam
Envelope Sender Domain is sending to invalid recipientsA sender domain is addressing non-existent recipients
Envelope Sender Domain is listed in Spamhaus DBLThe sender domain appears in the Spamhaus Domain Blocklist
IP Address has suddenly increased volumeAn IP connecting to your account has sharply increased its sending rate
IP Address is generating a large number of NDRsAn IP is producing an abnormal volume of non-delivery receipts
IP Address is sending messages without Sender ID in headersAn IP is submitting messages with no user identity in the headers

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Set up a monitor

1

Open the Monitors page

In the Host Console, navigate to Outbound > Activity > Monitors. If you have not created any monitors yet, the list will be empty.
2

Add a new monitor

Click Add Monitor in the top-right corner of the page. This opens the monitor creation dialog.
3

Choose the monitor type

Select the event you want to track from the dropdown menu. Each option corresponds to a specific spam or abuse signal described in the table above.
4

Set the alert interval

Choose how often you want to receive alerts. Intervals range from 1 to 24 hours. The default is once per hour. Choosing a longer interval reduces noise; choosing a shorter interval gives you faster detection.
5

Choose the delivery method

Select Email or Webhook:
  • Email — enter one or more comma-separated email addresses. MailChannels sends an alert message to each address when the monitor condition is met.
  • Webhook — enter the full HTTP or HTTPS URL of your endpoint. MailChannels sends a JSON POST to that URL. Use https:// to ensure the payload is encrypted in transit.
For details on configuring webhook endpoints and automating responses, see Automate compromised account response with webhooks.
6

Enable the monitor

Check Enabled to activate the monitor immediately, then click the save button. You can also create several monitors first and then click Enable All at the top of the page to activate them in bulk.
When you first log in to the Host Console, MailChannels suggests a set of starter monitors based on your account. Accepting these suggestions creates monitors using your login email as the alert destination. If you skip that screen, follow the steps above to configure monitors manually.
Monitors are available on Standard plan subscriptions and above. If the Monitors section is not visible in your console, upgrade your subscription to unlock it.

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Manage existing monitors

After creating monitors, you can edit the interval or delivery method for any monitor by returning to Outbound > Activity > Monitors. Use the individual Enabled toggle to pause a specific monitor without deleting it, or click the trash icon to remove it permanently.