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Why VPN tunnels are safer than opening a port on my router? (programming.dev)

submitted 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) by cheddar@programming.dev to c/selfhosted@lemmy.world

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Hi!

I often read suggestions to use something like Tailscale to create a tunnel between a home server and a VPS because it is allegedly safer than opening a port for WireGuard (WG) or Nginx on my router and connecting to my home network that way.

However, if my VPS is compromised, wouldn't the attacker still be able to access my local network? How does using an extra layer (the VPS) make it safer?

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[–] Dark_Arc@social.packetloss.gg 14 points 5 months ago (1 children)

The company Tailscale is a giant target and has a much higher risk in getting compromised than my VPN or even accessible services.

One must be careful about this mindset. A bunch of smart lightbulbs that are individually operated aren't a particularly appealing target either. However, in aggregate... If someone can write a script that abuses security flaws in them or their default configuration ... even though you're not part of a big centralized target, you are part of a class that can be targeted automatically at scale.

Self hosting only yields better security when you are willing to take steps to adequately secure your self hosted services and implement a disaster recovery strategy.

[–] OppositeOfOxymoron@infosec.pub 8 points 5 months ago

To add to this, self-hosting is also best when you minimize everything - limited service, with limited functionality, on dedicated hardware that doesn't share access to your internal network or storage. Folks who use point-and-click apps to install a half dozen unauthenticated docker containers, all open to the internet, running on the same PC they store the only copy of their family photos and music/movie collection on... make me crazy.