Self-Host Docker Mailserver Without Becoming a Spam Relay
A practical Docker Mailserver setup for a personal domain, with DNS records, TLS, backups, and the hard limits of running your own email in 2026.
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#security
37 articles
Traefik vs Caddy: Which Reverse Proxy Should You Use in 2026?
Traefik and Caddy both handle HTTPS well, but their workflows could not be more different. Pick the right reverse proxy for your Docker stack.
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Cloudflare Access for a Private Homelab
Put Cloudflare Access in front of private self-hosted apps with a tunnel, Docker, and identity-based policies instead of exposed login pages.
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Get Docker Image Update Alerts with Diun
Use Diun to get Docker image update alerts without giving a container permission to restart your self-hosted apps.
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Scan Docker Images With Trivy Before They Reach Your Homelab
Use Trivy to scan Docker images and Compose stacks before deployment. A practical security workflow for catching known container vulnerabilities.
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Docker Healthchecks: Stop Trusting ‘Up’
Add Docker healthchecks to Compose services so a running container is not mistaken for a working self-hosted app.
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Docker Registry: Zot vs Harbor vs Distribution
Compare Zot, Harbor, and Docker Distribution for a self-hosted container registry. Pick the right registry for a homelab, team, or CI pipeline.
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Docker Socket Proxy: Stop Giving Containers Root Access
Use a Docker socket proxy to give Traefik and monitoring tools the API access they need without handing every container control of your host.
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Validate Docker Compose Before You Deploy
Use docker compose config to catch broken variables, invalid YAML, and unsafe overrides before your self-hosted stack goes down.
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Authentik vs Authelia vs Keycloak: Self-Hosted SSO in 2026
Authentik, Authelia, and Keycloak solve different identity problems. Compare setup, protocols, access control, and pick the right self-hosted SSO.
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Encrypt Docker Compose Secrets With SOPS and age
Keep Docker Compose secrets in Git without committing plaintext. Set up SOPS and age for a small, auditable self-hosted deployment workflow.
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IPv4 vs IPv6-Only VPS for Self-Hosting
Should you save money with an IPv6-only VPS? Compare IPv4, IPv6-only, and dual-stack hosting before exposing your self-hosted apps.
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Sign Docker Images With Cosign: A Homelab Guide
Stop trusting container tags blindly. Sign and verify Docker images with Cosign so your homelab deploys artifacts you can actually identify.
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Docker Network Security for Self-Hosters: Isolation, Firewalls, and Real-World Setup
Most self-hosters run every container on the default bridge network. Here's why that's risky — and how to properly isolate your apps with Docker networks, internal zones, and firewall rules.
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Self-Host Watchtower: Automatic Docker Container Updates on Autopilot
Stop manually checking for Docker updates. Set up Watchtower to auto-update your containers, with sane exclusions so only safe services update unattended.
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Authelia + LLDAP: Self-Hosted SSO That Doesn't Weigh a Ton
Authentik is great, but sometimes you want something lighter. Here's how to set up Authelia with LLDAP as your auth gateway — no bloated dependencies, no headache.
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Self-Host Headscale: Run Your Own Tailscale Control Server
Tailscale is amazing, but it relies on their cloud coordination server. Headscale lets you own that piece too. Here's how I run my own mesh VPN.
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Self-Host NetBird: A Mesh VPN That Feels Like Tailscale, But Yours
Self-host NetBird for private homelab access without port forwarding. A practical Docker guide with setup, ACLs, routing, and real gotchas.
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Rootless Docker for Self-Hosting: Less Blast Radius, Same Apps
Run Docker without giving every container root-shaped teeth. A practical rootless Docker setup for self-hosters who want safer VPS and homelab apps.
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Self-Host Renovate for Docker Compose Updates Without the YOLO Button
Watchtower is convenient until it updates the wrong thing at the wrong time. Here's how I use Renovate to get pull requests for Docker Compose updates instead.
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SSH Certificates: The Login Upgrade I Wish I Used Before My Homelab Got Messy
Stop copying SSH public keys to every VPS and homelab box. SSH certificates give you short-lived access, cleaner revocation, and one sane trust model for your servers.
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Self-Host SearXNG: Private Search Without Feeding the Ad Machine
I got tired of search pages full of ads, tracking, and AI boxes. Here's how I run SearXNG at home with Docker, sane settings, and a few security guardrails.
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Caddy Client Certificates: The Cheap Private Gate I Put in Front of My Homelab
Password prompts are fine. VPNs are better. But for a few private web apps, Caddy mutual TLS is the tiny security layer I wish I had set up earlier.
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CrowdSec: The Crowd-Powered IPS That Replaced Fail2ban on My Servers
Fail2ban was good. CrowdSec is better. Here's why I switched my entire homelab to this collaborative intrusion prevention system — and how to set it up in 15 minutes.
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Self-Host Your Own Chat Server: Matrix vs Revolt vs Mattermost (2026)
I tested Synapse, Revolt, and Mattermost to replace Discord and Slack on my homelab. Here's what I learned about running your own chat infrastructure — and which one I actually use.
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Tailscale for Self-Hosting: The Easiest Way to Access Your Homelab Remotely
Stop opening ports and messing with complex VPN configs. Tailscale gives you secure, zero-config access to every self-hosted service from anywhere. Here's how I set it up and why I won't go back.
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Vaultwarden : Votre Coffre-Fort de Mots de Passe Auto-Hébergé
J'ai quitté LastPass après leur fuite de données. Voici pourquoi Vaultwarden (Bitwarden RS) est le meilleur gestionnaire de mots de passe self-hosté — et comment l'installer.
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Manage Your Self-Hosted App Secrets With HashiCorp Vault
Stop scattering API keys in .env files. Set up HashiCorp Vault in Docker to centralize, rotate, and audit every secret your self-hosted apps need.
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How to Self-Host WireGuard VPN: Access Your Homelab From Anywhere
Set up your own WireGuard VPN server in Docker. Connect to your homelab securely from your phone, laptop, or anywhere — no paid VPN needed.
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How to Set Up Authentik: SSO for Your Entire Self-Hosted Stack
Stop managing 12 separate logins. Set up Authentik to get single sign-on across all your self-hosted apps — Nextcloud, Grafana, Gitea, and more.
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How to Backup Your Self-Hosted Apps: Complete Guide to Data Protection
Learn how to properly backup your self-hosted applications with Docker volumes, databases, and off-site strategies. Protect your data from loss.
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How to Set Up Traefik Reverse Proxy with Docker — Complete Guide
Learn how to configure Traefik reverse proxy for Docker containers with automatic SSL certificates, dashboard access, and production-ready security settings.
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How to Self-Host Vaultwarden: The Ultimate Bitwarden Alternative
Complete guide to self-hosting Vaultwarden, a lightweight Bitwarden server. Set up your own password manager with Docker in under 30 minutes.
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Secure Your VPS in 20 Minutes: The Hardening Checklist I Use on Every Server
SSH keys, UFW firewall, Fail2ban, auto-updates — the exact steps I run on every new VPS before deploying anything. Copy-paste ready.
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