Hello! I’m new to self hosting and networking stuff. I do use only Linux and have experience with Debian, Ubuntu, Mint, and have settled with Fedora and Bazzite on KDE on the home computers/laptops.

I got a GMKtec NucBox G9 Mini PC Intel® Twin Lake N150 recently and wireless keyboard with touchpad, installed Fedora Kiinoite on it and have so far only added VacuumTube. I don’t have much experience with the terminal and I’m not sure what step to do next or how.

What I want to do is set up an Arrstack, and I know I need to put Docker and maybe Portainer? I have no experience with Docker though. I also want to put some basic things I and others can access remotely like a shopping list program, photo backups, period tracker, and DnD software. But I’m very afraid of exposing the server to the internet and it being hacked or such. I know there’s something called Tailscale but I’m not sure if that’s what I need. And I don’t know what order I’m supposed to put any of this.

I’ve tried searching the internet for guides but haven’t really found anything except one that’s for Yunohost and it’s not really self hosting because they set it up on a cloud. All advice is appreciated. Thank you!

edit: I wanted to add I also want to use this as a htpc and it’s connected to the TV, so that’s why I want a GUI mostly - because it makes it easier to control from the couch

  • cmeu@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    2 hours ago

    But I’m very afraid of exposing the server to the internet and it being hacked or such.

    I see this sentiment a lot… and I don’t get it.

    Your server is going to be secure almost by default. Add the firewall and only open the ports you actually serve, and the majority of your work is done.

    But if you follow a decent gardening guide you’ll find many of those other little ways people can exploit the services you do leave open, and you’ll lock those down too.

    Then at that point, you have dealt with 99.99% of the script kiddie / bot threats that will ever find you.

    What is the source of the fear when regular Joe’s discounts themselves and say no I won’t expose my hardware? You know the cloud is just someone else’s computer, right?

    I’ve been self hosting a publicly exposed domain which serves http, mail, etc for literally more than a decade. My logs are filled with background noise but my stuff is fine.

    No tail scale, no cloud flare, my cloud is mine

    Moral of my story - Don’t be scared, try to be smart and keep your stuff updated via automation