Firefox Docker + VPN is so awesome
from tootnbuns@lemmy.dbzer0.com to selfhosted@lemmy.world on 03 Jul 01:15
https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/post/23342357

I’ve been using the Firefox docker container through the gluetun docker container (runs great with proton and mullvad) and it’s been really great.

To me it’s kind of like a less restricted tor browser, for when you need something stronger in terms of speed or IP blocking. And maybe something more persistent.

And it always stays open even when you close your connection.

Some of my use cases are:

#selfhosted

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d416@lemmy.world on 03 Jul 01:57 next collapse

wait what how am I hearing about this Firefox docker for the first time. Got a kink to the dockerhub?

Hopefully this will work remotely on a smartphone because I’m looking for all ways to defeat FB messenger and access it through a desktop browser which they enforce. Thanks for sharing

earth_walker@lemmy.world on 03 Jul 02:26 next collapse

You know you can just request the desktop site on FB messenger and use it on your phone that way right?

https://www.makeuseof.com/how-to-view-desktop-version-of-any-site-on-mobile/

Ephera@lemmy.ml on 03 Jul 05:00 next collapse

I’m assuming, this is what OP is using: docs.linuxserver.io/images/docker-firefox/

tootnbuns@lemmy.dbzer0.com on 03 Jul 10:00 collapse

Yes

tootnbuns@lemmy.dbzer0.com on 03 Jul 10:01 next collapse

It’s a little laggy and not mobile optimized, so it wouldn’t be the vest choice for a smartphone

WeirdGoesPro@lemmy.dbzer0.com on 03 Jul 15:22 next collapse

Got a kink to the dockerhub?

I confess! Docker is my kink! /s

DeltaTangoLima@reddrefuge.com on 04 Jul 11:15 collapse

In your mobile browser, instead of m[dot]facebook[dot]com, try mbasic[dot]facebook[dot]com.

Very no frills FB for mobile, that lets you access Messenger. It looks like arse, but it beats using their spyware.

d416@lemmy.world on 05 Jul 19:00 collapse

messenger on mbasic used to work for me for years on my mobile browser but then they stopped that a few months ago for me (redirects to ‘get messenger’ splash). . Can anyone confirm mbasic messenger still works on mobile?

DeltaTangoLima@reddrefuge.com on 05 Jul 22:02 collapse

I’m still using it via mbasic. It looks like shit, but I can get to my messages and reply, etc.

peregus@lemmy.world on 03 Jul 05:26 next collapse

So it’s the use of a browser within a browser? Is it any different than just using Firefox containers (they are AWESOME!!!) and a VPN add-on?

tootnbuns@lemmy.dbzer0.com on 06 Jul 09:45 collapse

Yeah is a browser within a browser. I would say that it’s definitely more secure and you can just close the window and continue exactly where you left off. Also if you have multiple devices that’s a pretty cool feature.

blackstrat@lemmy.fwgx.uk on 03 Jul 06:02 next collapse

I’ve been using it for a few years. Really handy way if avoiding cooperate firewall rules.

DontAskAboutUpdog@lemmy.world on 03 Jul 20:33 next collapse

Firefox dockers are amazing. I have one running on my home network. I use it to access my router settings when I am away from home.

tootnbuns@lemmy.dbzer0.com on 03 Jul 21:16 next collapse

That’s a pretty good use case with the router - I’m gonna try that

scarilog@lemmy.world on 04 Jul 00:39 collapse

But you can just do that with a normal VPN? What’s the advantage doing it like this?

Humorless4483@lemmy.world on 03 Jul 22:40 next collapse

I just setup kasm workspaces and it’s been awesome for anonymously using a web browser.

tootnbuns@lemmy.dbzer0.com on 06 Jul 09:43 collapse

Does kasm only work in docker containers like the Firefox container I’m using ? Or is it like a mini VM?

uninvitedguest@lemmy.ca on 04 Jul 02:15 next collapse

I’m curious what the host machine for the Docker container is? Is it a headless server or something with a desktop/window manager?

Been looking to set up the Obsidian Docker container but I presently only run headless, so it sounds like a headache.

msinfo32@sh.itjust.works on 04 Jul 10:15 collapse

Most of these containers don’t require any thing attached to the host - it can work headless. They are docker (just normal Linux inside) containers which are running processes such as Firefox and usually run something like KasmVNC giving fast, responsive (if using high bandwidth settings) remote desktop into the containers which runs the Firefox browser on a lightweight virtual desktop with a virtual display. I’d recommend looking into the concept from linuxserver.io’s Webtop container to understand the concept (and how cool they are!) In your case with obsidian they pretty much run a container and pass a bind mount for a Vault. This isn’t synced by default with anything but you could use Syncthing on the host to sync your vault from other devices or use Obsidian Sync.

uninvitedguest@lemmy.ca on 04 Jul 10:50 collapse

Thanks for the reply. I’ve tried both Firefox and Obsidian containers from Linuxserver.io before, but when connecting I found there was no output. It made me wonder what was missing (like X11 or Wayland installed on the host) for an output to be generated.

tootnbuns@lemmy.dbzer0.com on 05 Jul 22:45 collapse

My server is not headless (I installed GNOME) but runs without a screen connected. and the Firefox container does run kasmvnc.

ticho@lemmy.world on 04 Jul 23:28 next collapse

I just use my own custom built docker images and have a few aliases set up for different “instances”, e.g. one for banking, one for tis eshop, one for that eshop, etc. Each with its own firefox data dir and own downloads subfolder. Plus an alias to launch a temporary clean instance that gets discarded after it exits.

tootnbuns@lemmy.dbzer0.com on 05 Jul 22:51 collapse

That sound pretty cool - do these separate containers exit through the same network ? Or do you have like separate vpns?

ticho@lemmy.world on 06 Jul 18:34 collapse

All through the same network, I’m afraid. I haven’t felt the need to separate it like that, although it should be doable using docker networks, or maybe on even lower level, via Linux network namespaces.

c10l@lemmy.world on 06 Jul 00:26 collapse

How do you use ChatGPT anonymously? It requires a valid login linked to a payment method. It doesn’t get any less anonymous than that.

tootnbuns@lemmy.dbzer0.com on 06 Jul 09:33 collapse

I don’t pay - I can use 4 for a little bit then it returns to 3.5 and after like an hour I can use 4 again. And I signed up with a rrlayued proton email

c10l@lemmy.world on 06 Jul 11:49 collapse

Ah got it. I didn’t know there was a free tier!