> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.material.security/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.material.security/learn-more/risk-areas/email-threats/detect/custom-detections-email-threats.md).

# Custom Detections (Email Threats)

[Material Detections](/learn-more/risk-areas/email-threats/detect/material-email-threat-detections.md) are designed and updated constantly to be effective in identifying malicious messaging, so they cover most if not all the scenarios you might want to detect for. However, you can also define your own criteria for flagging messages and automatically remediating them, using custom detections (message type) if you have a very specific use case. You choose whether matches are classified Safe, Malicious, Spam, or Unknown. Unknown surfaces a message for review without asserting a verdict. Some examples are frequent birthday wishes to someone, specific phrases in the message body, specific `replyto` emails etc.

You configure the response for matching messages in the same editor when you create the detection.

Learn about [Custom Detections here](/getting-started/fundamentals/detect/custom-detections.md).

{% hint style="danger" %}
We don't recommend creating custom detections as a first step. Most use cases are covered by Material Detections.
{% endhint %}


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