What is a VPN? A VPN is a service that digitally connects a device and a remote server, creating a point-to-point tunnel. For our use case this lets us access our self-hosted services that can only be accessed when we’re connected to the homelab’s network. Another use case for VPNs could be to mask your IP address and sidestep website blocks. What is a Dynamic IP address and why does it make hosting a service harder?

It may be a surprise to many that most cyber attacks are relatively straight forward, exploiting well known vulnerabilities. So if you’re thinking of exposing your server to the internet, you should definitely think about server hardening. Server hardening is all about making your server secure by cutting out unnecessary risks. Think of it like locking all the doors and windows in your house. The way I harden my machines is by following this checklist of actions when setting-up a machine.