Canary Tokens

Self-Hosted

Open-source intrusion detection traps for early breach alerts

Overview

Canary Tokens are lightweight, open-source deception tools designed to detect unauthorized access. Deploy fake files (PDFs, Excel), URLs, credentials, or system commands that trigger real-time alerts when interacted with. Ideal for identifying phishing attempts, insider threats, or unauthorized system access. Self-hostable via Docker/Kubernetes with minimal infrastructure needs. Integrate alerts with Slack, email, or webhooks for instant notifications. No heavy servers required—perfect for small teams or individuals looking to enhance security without enterprise costs.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  canary_tokens:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: canary-tokens
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Multiple trap types (fake files, URLs, SSH keys)
Real-time alerts via Slack/email/webhooks
Lightweight self-hosting with Docker Compose

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Canary Tokens hard to install for self-hosting?

No—self-hosting Canary Tokens uses Docker Compose, which allows deployment with a single command. The web interface simplifies token management, so basic Docker knowledge is sufficient for setup.

? Is it a good alternative to enterprise IDS tools?

Canary Tokens complements enterprise IDS tools by adding deception-based detection. It lacks advanced traffic analysis but excels at early breach alerts via low-effort traps, making it ideal for small teams or as an extra layer of security.

? Is Canary Tokens completely free?

Yes—the self-hosted open-source version is free with no subscription fees. You only incur costs for hosting the Docker container (e.g., cloud server or on-prem hardware expenses).

Top Alternatives

Thinkst Canary (hosted enterprise deception platform) Search Google

FireEye Mandiant Deception (proprietary IDS tool) Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category Miscellaneous

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (no third-party data sharing)
⊕ No subscription fees for self-hosted use
⊕ Easy to deploy and manage via web dashboard

Cons

⊖ Limited advanced features compared to enterprise IDS tools
⊖ Requires basic Docker knowledge for self-hosting
⊖ Traps may be detected by sophisticated attackers if misconfigured