Category: Security

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Blog OpenSource Security Server

2025-06-01: RustDesk: The Free Alternative to TeamViewer & AnyDesk

Remote access software is an essential tool in modern IT—whether for technical support, remote work, or quick computer assistance. While commercial solutions like TeamViewer and AnyDesk are well-known, today I would like to introduce you to a more privacy-conscious and cost-free alternative: RustDesk.

?️ What Is RustDesk?

RustDesk is an open-source remote desktop software that offers high performance, ease of use, and full control over data traffic. It is cross-platform—available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS—and especially well-suited for data-sensitive environments.

? Your Data – Your Choice: Advantages Over TeamViewer & AnyDesk

? 1. Host Your Own Server for Full Data Sovereignty

Unlike commercial providers, RustDesk allows you to host your own infrastructure. This means all connection traffic stays under your control—without being routed through external servers.

? 2. No Hidden Licensing Costs

RustDesk is completely free to use—even for commercial purposes. There are no limitations on the number of devices, connections, or support hours. You reduce IT costs without sacrificing features.

? 3. Fast Setup and Modern Technology

The software is written in the programming language Rust, known for its performance and safety. Installation is simple, resource usage is minimal, and connection speeds are excellent.

? 4. Open Source Creates Trust

Unlike proprietary systems like TeamViewer or AnyDesk, RustDesk offers full transparency with open-source code. Security risks or privacy concerns can be audited publicly—a decisive advantage for businesses, government organizations, and privacy-conscious individuals.

?‍? My Service: Secure IT Support with RustDesk

As an IT service provider, I support individuals and businesses with a tailored, privacy-compliant remote support solution based on RustDesk. By using a dedicated server infrastructure, I can provide you with secure connections that meet the highest privacy and compliance standards—without any data being routed through third parties.

? Want to Host It Yourself? No Problem – Here’s My Tutorial

If you want to set up your own RustDesk server, I’ve created a detailed, step-by-step tutorial to walk you through the process:
? Set Up RustDesk on a Linux Server Using Docker-Compose
In this guide, I explain how to run your own self-hosted remote desktop solution quickly and reliably.

? Why Open Source Matters More Than Ever

In an age where digital sovereignty and data protection are constantly under threat, free and open-source software like RustDesk provides a real alternative. You decide how and where your data is processed—without dependence on external vendors or restrictive licensing models.

✅ Conclusion: RustDesk Offers You Security, Freedom, and Control

RustDesk combines security, flexibility, and cost-efficiency in a modern remote access solution. As free software, it gives you back control—over your infrastructure, your data, and your IT operations.

? Do you have questions or need expert support?
I’m happy to help you implement a secure and customized solution—without compromise.

Categories
Blog Anonymity Bitcoin Future Messenger OpenSource Security

2025-05-26: Open Source Software: Digital Freedom

Open source software is no longer a niche topic – it forms the backbone of our digital world. Many people are unaware of this, but the majority of computers around the globe already rely on open source technologies. In particular, the internet runs heavily on open source: most web servers operate using the Linux operating system, and countless services and applications – from web browsers to content management systems – are built on open source foundations.

? What Does Open Source Mean?

Open source means that a software’s source code is publicly accessible, modifiable, and free to use. This transparency not only fosters trust but also enables global, collaborative development. Control does not rest with a single company or state – it lies with the community. This prevents users from being locked into expensive subscription models or becoming dependent on individual vendors – a scenario that’s increasingly common with proprietary software.

This issue is strikingly portrayed in the latest season of the series Black Mirror (Season 7, Episode 1): A woman receives a medical chip implant after having a brain tumor removed. The twist? The chip is permanently connected to the provider’s cloud – all data and functionality are processed externally, with nothing stored locally. Without an active subscription, the chip stops working. The software operates on a tiered licensing model with steadily rising costs. Eventually, the woman’s family can no longer afford the increasingly expensive subscription levels – leading to catastrophic consequences.

This dystopian scenario highlights how dangerous it can be when essential technologies are fully controlled by a central provider. It creates a total dependency – both technically and financially. Open source offers a radical alternative: transparent, decentralized, user-controlled, and free.

? Freedom Through Technology

Open source is an expression of digital self-determination. Those who use free software decide for themselves what runs on their devices, what data is shared, and which functions are enabled. This independence is more than just a technical detail – it’s a political statement in an age of digital surveillance, data exploitation, and monopolization.

A particularly powerful example of open source as a vehicle for independence is Bitcoin. Here too, the entire source code is publicly available, every transaction is verifiable, and the system itself is not centrally controlled. The idea of freedom, transparency, and decentralization is central – and would not be possible without open source.

? Security Through Encryption

In an age of widespread digital surveillance, protecting private communication is essential. Open source plays a crucial role here: only with publicly accessible source code can users verify whether a tool is truly secure. Encryption tools such as PGP for email or decentralized messengers like Matrix (with clients like Element) are vital for maintaining privacy and shielding digital conversations from prying eyes.

? A Call to Support Open Source

The benefits of open source are overwhelming: transparency, security, independence, and innovation. But none of this happens automatically. The development and maintenance of free software is often done voluntarily or underfunded. That’s why it’s essential that we not only use open source but actively support it – by contributing to development, reporting bugs, or donating to projects that benefit us all.

Here is a short list of the most famous open source programs:

1. LibreOffice
Free and powerful office suite – alternative to Microsoft Office
? https://www.libreoffice.org/

2. GIMP
Free image editor – comparable to Adobe Photoshop
? https://www.gimp.org/

3. Mozilla Firefox
Secure and fast open-source web browser
? https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/

4. Thunderbird
Email client with calendar and chat support
? https://www.thunderbird.net/

5. VLC Media Player
Versatile media player that supports nearly all formats
? https://www.videolan.org/vlc/

6. Audacity
Audio recording and editing software
? https://www.audacityteam.org/

7. Krita
Professional painting and illustration tool for artists
? https://krita.org/

8. Inkscape
Vector graphics editor – similar to Adobe Illustrator
? https://inkscape.org/

9. KeePassXC
Secure and cross-platform password manager
? https://keepassxc.org/

10. Shotcut
Free, open-source video editor with wide format support
? https://shotcut.org/

✅ Conclusion

In the digital age, open source is not a luxury – it’s a necessity. There is hardly a more powerful tool for freedom, self-determination, and privacy protection. Those who want a free society must also support free software. It’s up to all of us to promote open source – for a digital world that liberates, not controls.

Categories
Anonymity Blog Security

2025-05-17: Anonymous. Secure. Free: TOR Network

Why you should not only use the network, but also support it:

The internet should be a place of freedom — a space where you can inform yourself, communicate, and express your opinion without being constantly watched or controlled. Unfortunately, the reality looks quite different: surveillance, data collection, censorship. That’s where TOR comes in — the “The Onion Router” network. And no, it’s not just for hackers or whistleblowers. TOR is for anyone who wants to protect their privacy online.

? TOR Is Not a Hiding Place for Criminals — It’s a Shield for Citizens

TOR often has a bad reputation because it’s associated with the so-called “dark web.” But that image is misleading. TOR was not created for illegal purposes — it was developed as a tool for ordinary citizens who want to keep their online activity private.

Whether you want to browse anonymously, avoid being tracked by advertisers, or bypass censorship in authoritarian regimes — TOR gives you the ability to move through the internet securely and without being watched.

?️‍♂️ Snowden, Assange, and the Reality of Mass Surveillance

You may remember Edward Snowden, who revealed in 2013 how extensively the NSA and other intelligence agencies are monitoring people around the world. Or Julian Assange, who, through WikiLeaks, published confidential documents exposing war crimes and corruption.

Both men used secure, anonymous communication methods — including TOR — to protect their sources and themselves. Without such tools, many of these truths would have remained hidden. TOR is not just a piece of software — it’s a symbol of transparency, accountability, and freedom of information.

⚙️ How You Can Support TOR — By Running a Relay

TOR relies on its users to stay strong. Especially important are Middle Relays — the servers that forward encrypted traffic through the network. The more of these relays exist, the faster, more stable, and more secure the entire system becomes.

The good news: Running a relay is technically simple, inexpensive, and has a big impact — for you and for millions of users around the globe.

I have provided a corresponding tutorial for your own Linux server here for free:

https://it-service-commander.de/en/tutorials-2/docker/install-tor-server-in-a-docker-container-on-your-vps/

? Digital Freedom Is Not a Given

Data retention laws, chat control, constant tracking — these are not just buzzwords. They represent real threats to civil liberties. Both governments and corporations are collecting data at a scale that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago.

Privacy is not a luxury — it is a fundamental digital right. And now, more than ever, it needs to be defended.

✅ Conclusion

TOR is not a criminal hiding place, but a protective tool for free speech, journalism, and digital self-determination.

If you use TOR, you protect your own data.
If you actively support TOR, for example by running a relay, you help make the internet a freer and safer place — for everyone.

Real freedom begins with digital responsibility — and that’s in your hands.

More Information: https://www.torproject.org/

Categories
Blog Security

2025-04-30: Avoid Port Forwarding – Use VPN Instead

? In an increasingly interconnected world, many people want secure access to their home network from anywhere. However, significant security risks exist, especially if you simply open ports on your router. A better alternative is using VPN technologies like WireGuard or OpenVPN.

VPN stands for “Virtual Private Network” and refers to a secure connection that encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a protected tunnel between your device and the network. This keeps your data safe from prying eyes and ensures that only authorized users gain access.

⚠️ Risks of Port Forwarding

Port forwarding on a router may initially seem like a simple solution for accessing NAS devices, smart home systems, or surveillance cameras remotely. However, each open port creates a potential entry point for cybercriminals:

  • ? Open Attack Surface: Every forwarded port can be discovered and attacked from the outside. Hackers and automated scripts actively look for open ports and vulnerabilities.
  • ? Lack of Encryption: Without additional security measures, data traffic usually remains unencrypted, making sensitive information easily readable.
  • ? Weak Authentication: Many devices offer insufficient protection or default passwords that can easily be compromised.

✅ Benefits of WireGuard and OpenVPN

Instead of directly forwarding ports, you should use VPN solutions like WireGuard or OpenVPN, which offer numerous advantages:

  • ? Enhanced Security Through Encryption: All data traffic is securely encrypted, making it unreadable to unauthorized parties.
  • ?️ Strong Authentication: Only authorized users can access your network, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
  • ?️ Hidden Infrastructure: No directly visible ports from outside, effectively making your devices invisible to automated attacks.

? Why Choose WireGuard or OpenVPN?

Both technologies have proven their reliability:

  • ? WireGuard is lightweight, fast, easy to set up, and offers state-of-the-art cryptography. Ideal for home users looking for straightforward and quick access.
  • ⚙️ OpenVPN has been established for years, is highly flexible, and widely supported. Perfect for complex requirements and professional environments.

? Conclusion

If you take your privacy and security seriously, avoid simple port forwarding and instead use proven VPN solutions such as WireGuard or OpenVPN. This ensures your data remains protected and your home network stays safe from attackers.