> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.mailchannels.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Set up monitors and alerts in MailChannels Outbound

> Configure threshold-based monitors to get email or webhook alerts when MailChannels detects spam, blocklist events, or compromised senders on your network.

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.

## Monitor types

Monitors are available on Standard plan subscriptions and above. You can configure alerts for the following event types:

| Event                                                       | Description                                                                                                         |
| ----------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Sender ID is sending spam                                   | A sender is submitting messages flagged as spam                                                                     |
| Sender ID is sending to invalid recipients                  | A sender is addressing messages to non-existent addresses                                                           |
| Sender ID is being rejected by destination                  | Receivers are rejecting messages from this sender                                                                   |
| Sender ID is being rate limited                             | MailChannels is throttling the sender due to abuse signals                                                          |
| Sender ID is on MailChannels blocklist                      | The sender has been permanently blocked due to sustained abuse                                                      |
| Sender ID blocked due to FBL reports                        | Receivers have complained about this sender, triggering a temporary block                                           |
| Envelope Sender Address is on MailChannels Blocklist        | The envelope sender address is blocklisted                                                                          |
| Envelope Sender Domain is on MailChannels Blocklist         | The envelope sender domain is blocklisted                                                                           |
| Envelope Sender Domain is sending spam                      | A sender domain is submitting spam                                                                                  |
| Envelope Sender Domain is sending to invalid recipients     | A sender domain is addressing non-existent recipients                                                               |
| Envelope Sender Domain is listed in Spamhaus DBL            | The sender domain appears in the [Spamhaus Domain Blocklist](https://www.spamhaus.org/blocklists/domain-blocklist/) |
| IP Address has suddenly increased volume                    | An IP connecting to your account has sharply increased its sending rate                                             |
| IP Address is generating a large number of NDRs             | An IP is producing an abnormal volume of non-delivery receipts                                                      |
| IP Address is sending messages without Sender ID in headers | An IP is submitting messages with no user identity in the headers                                                   |

## Set up a monitor

<Steps>
  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add a new monitor">
    Click **Add Monitor** in the top-right corner of the page. This opens the monitor creation dialog.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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](/outbound/webhooks).
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  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.
</Tip>

<Note>
  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.
</Note>

## 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.