Quick Answer
The correct answer is Submissions, as this feature in Microsoft Defender XDR is specifically designed for security teams to submit a suspicious email for automated investigation when it has already been delivered to a user’s inbox. Submissions allow you to send emails, URLs, and attachments directly to Microsoft for analysis, triggering an automated investigation that examines the email’s behavior, reputation, and payload. On the MS-102 exam, this question tests your understanding of the Microsoft 365 Defender portal’s investigation tools, and a common trap is confusing Submissions with Threat Explorer, which is used for hunting threats already detected, not for manual submission. Another trap is picking Attack Simulator, which only creates simulated phishing campaigns, or Advanced Hunting, a query-based tool for proactive threat hunting. To remember this, think of Submissions as the “send it in” button for manual review, while all other options are for analyzing threats already in the system.
This MS-102 practice question tests your understanding of manage security and threats by using microsoft defender xdr. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A company's security team needs to investigate a suspicious email that was reported by a user. The email was not blocked by Exchange Online Protection (EOP) and was delivered to the user's inbox. The security team wants to use Microsoft Defender XDR to analyze the email and its attachments. Which feature should they use to submit the email for automated investigation?
Submissions
Submissions allow security teams to submit emails, URLs, and attachments for analysis.
Advanced Hunting
Why wrong: Advanced Hunting is a query-based tool for threat detection, not for submitting emails.
Threat Explorer
Why wrong: Threat Explorer is used for investigating threats after detection, not for manual submission.
Attack Simulator
Why wrong: Attack Simulator is used for simulating attacks, not for submitting emails.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Submissions
Option C is correct because Submissions in Microsoft 365 Defender allow security teams to submit emails, URLs, and attachments to Microsoft for analysis and automated investigation. Option A is wrong because Threat Explorer is used for investigating threats after they have been detected, not for manual submission. Option B is wrong because Attack Simulator is used for simulating phishing attacks. Option D is wrong because Advanced Hunting is a query-based tool for threat detection, not for submitting emails.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Submissions
Why this is correct
Submissions allow security teams to submit emails, URLs, and attachments for analysis.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Advanced Hunting
Why it's wrong here
Advanced Hunting is a query-based tool for threat detection, not for submitting emails.
Threat Explorer
Why it's wrong here
Threat Explorer is used for investigating threats after detection, not for manual submission.
Attack Simulator
Why it's wrong here
Attack Simulator is used for simulating attacks, not for submitting emails.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Identify which MS-102 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Manage security and threats by using Microsoft Defender XDR — This question tests Manage security and threats by using Microsoft Defender XDR — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Submissions — Option C is correct because Submissions in Microsoft 365 Defender allow security teams to submit emails, URLs, and attachments to Microsoft for analysis and automated investigation. Option A is wrong because Threat Explorer is used for investigating threats after they have been detected, not for manual submission. Option B is wrong because Attack Simulator is used for simulating phishing attacks. Option D is wrong because Advanced Hunting is a query-based tool for threat detection, not for submitting emails.
Identify which MS-102 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
This MS-102 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the MS-102 exam.
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