Self-Hosting & Security
Practical guides for running your own infrastructure — server hardening, network security, and keeping your data where it belongs. No cloud required.
The Prepper's Wiki — Offline Wikipedia & OpenStreetMap on a Pi
Host complete offline copies of Wikipedia, maps, medical references, and survival guides — accessible from any device on the local network with zero internet required.
Local AI · InfrastructureBuilding an Offline-First AI Stack on Raspberry Pi
Ollama, ChromaDB, and a RAG pipeline — running entirely locally on Raspberry Pi hardware. No internet required after setup. Full architecture walkthrough with config files.
Linux · Self-HostingHardening a Self-Hosted Server: Minimal Attack Surface on Ubuntu 24
The security hardening checklist I run on every server I deploy — ufw, fail2ban, SSH key enforcement, HSTS headers, and service isolation.
Security · Self-Hosting · PrinciplesPractical Cybersecurity for Self-Hosters
Principles-first security for self-hosted infrastructure. Defense in depth, least privilege, zero trust networking, and a tiered security baseline for 2026.
Security · NetworkSecurity Through Obscurity
Why relying on secrecy alone is insufficient, plus practical tools for monitoring access logs, IP geolocation, and firewall configuration.
Self-Hosting · Privacy · BeginnerThe 30-Day Google & Apple Exit Strategy
A progressive, non-expert-friendly guide for moving your photos, email, documents, and calendar off Google and Apple — one week at a time, with zero data loss.
Self-Hosting · Families · Accessible DesignDigital Sovereignty for Families
How to set up a private "family cloud" that non-technical relatives can use safely — no Docker, no Linux, no command line required for daily use.
Analysis · Economics · PrivacyThe True Cost of Free
Data-driven comparison of cloud subscription costs vs. self-hosted Pi hardware and power over 5 years. Three scenarios: individual, family, and nonprofit.
Linux · Router · NetworkingConfigure Your Own Internet Router
Expose your Raspberry Pi to the internet — port forwarding, DDNS setup, SSL with Let's Encrypt, and security best practices for self-hosted services.
Related guides.
Keep Fingers Out of Your Pi
Security hardening for Raspberry Pi web servers. Password protection, Apache access control, and firewall setup.
DIY · PhilosophyWhy DIY When You Could Buy?
The philosophical and practical reasons for building your own projects — customization, learning, longevity, and self-reliance.