How Document Tracking Works
Signal Canary uses a tracking pixel (a tiny invisible image) embedded inside documents or webpages to detect when they are accessed.
A tracking pixel is a 1x1 pixel transparent image. When loaded, it sends a request to our servers that we can monitor and record.
When the document is opened:
- The pixel loads from Signal Canary's servers
- We record time, IP address, location, device, and environment
- You see the access event instantly in your dashboard
The Basic Flow
1 Enter Document Details
Provide the document name and optionally the intended recipient's information.
2 Receive Your Pixel URL
Signal Canary generates a unique tracking pixel URL just for this document.
3 Embed the Pixel
Insert the pixel as a tiny image in your document (PDF, Word, Excel, or HTML).
4 Track Access
Monitor when and where the document is opened from your Signal Canary dashboard.
What Happens When the Document is Opened
When someone opens a document containing your tracking pixel:
- Timestamp - Exact date and time of access
- IP Address - The network address of the viewer
- Location - City, region, and country (derived from IP)
- Device Info - Operating system and device type
- Application - Browser or application used to open the document
- Organization - Company or ISP (when available)
All this data appears in real-time on your dashboard. You can also set up alerts to get notified instantly via email or SMS.
Ready to get started? Check out our tutorials for embedding pixels in different document types.