---
title: How to enable Hijack Detection to prevent server abuse from compromised accounts
description: Hijack detection enables an MDaemon administrator the ability to configure a set number of messages sent from an authenticated account, from a specific IP range, in a defined number of minutes.
---

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# How to enable Hijack Detection to prevent server abuse from compromised accounts

## Hijack detection enables an MDaemon administrator the ability to configure a set number of messages sent from an authenticated account, from a specific IP range, in a defined number of minutes.

If an account crosses this threshold the postmaster is notified via email and (optional) the account is frozen. A frozen account can still receive mail. However, the account cannot send mail. This feature is useful to prevent compromised accounts for submitting scores of spam/bulk mail.  Compromised servers can result in the possibility of having domains added to public internet black lists or result in poor sending reputations.

1. Select **Security**
2. Select **Security Settings**
3. Expand **Screening**
4. Select **Hijack Detection  
   ![hijack detection mdaemon menu](https://knowledge.mdaemon.com/hs-fs/hubfs/KBAs/1174_hijack_menu.png?width=688&name=1174_hijack_menu.png)**
5. Hijack detection will be triggered when the number of messages (X) exceeds the specified amount of time (Y).
6. Check **Limit messages sent from reserved IPs** to limit message sent from reserved IPs to X messages in Y minutes.
7. Check **Limit messages sent from local IPs** to limit message sent from local IPs to X messages in Y minutes.
8. Check **Limit messages sent from all other IPs** to limit message sent from all other IPs to X messages in Y minutes.
9. Check **Freeze accounts when limit is reached** to freeze MDaemon accounts when X messages meets/exceeds Y minutes.
10. Freezing accounts will allow incoming mail to be delivered and restrict outgoing mail
11. Click **White List** if you would like to open the Hijack Detection white list to add entries (wild-cards are OK).  
    ![hijack detection mdaemon white list](https://knowledge.mdaemon.com/hs-fs/hubfs/KBAs/1174_hijack_white_list.png?width=454&name=1174_hijack_white_list.png)
12. Select **Save** when finished adding/removing addresses to the White list.
13. Click **OK**

 

**\*\*NOTE** - Mailing lists are included in this feature.  If you have mailings lists with more than X members, add them to the white list or consider increasing X number of messages.

 

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