Tracking pixel

Tracking pixel is a tiny invisible image or code in a web page or email that tells a sender you opened it and what you did next.

Tracking pixel: A tracking pixel is a tiny, often invisible image or code snippet placed in a web page or email. When it loads, it reports to its owner that you visited or opened the message, often with details like device, time and location. It is used for analytics and ads.

Marketing emails and shopping sites use pixels to see if you opened a mail or viewed a product, then follow up with reminders and ads. Mostly this is advertising, but the same technique tells scammers that your number or email is live. Once confirmed, you may get even more junk and fraud messages. That is why a sudden rush of related offers can follow after you open one promotional email.

You cannot avoid all of them, but you can reduce the effect. Many email apps let you block remote images by default, which stops pixels from loading. Do not open links or download images in messages from unknown senders. Use tracking protection in your browser and remove apps and extensions that you do not need. Remember that merely opening a message can reveal more than you think.

Tips

• Turn off automatic loading of remote images in your email app.
• Do not open or reply to emails from senders you do not know.
• Use your browser's tracking protection feature.

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