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:
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Anonymously downloading larger files through the clearnet.
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Anonymous ChatGPT usage.
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Manually looking for torrent magnet links (though I usually do that with the tor browser)
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Accessing shadow libraries
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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
Got a kink to the dockerhub?
I confess! Docker is my kink! /s
I’m assuming, this is what OP is using: https://docs.linuxserver.io/images/docker-firefox/
Yes
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/
It’s a little laggy and not mobile optimized, so it wouldn’t be the vest choice for a smartphone
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.
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?
I’m still using it via mbasic. It looks like shit, but I can get to my messages and reply, etc.
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?
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.
I’ve been using it for a few years. Really handy way if avoiding cooperate firewall rules.
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.
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
Ah got it. I didn’t know there was a free tier!
I just setup kasm workspaces and it’s been awesome for anonymously using a web browser.
Does kasm only work in docker containers like the Firefox container I’m using ? Or is it like a mini VM?
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.
But you can just do that with a normal VPN? What’s the advantage doing it like this?
That’s a pretty good use case with the router - I’m gonna try that
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.
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.
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.
My server is not headless (I installed GNOME) but runs without a screen connected. and the Firefox container does run kasmvnc.
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.
That sound pretty cool - do these separate containers exit through the same network ? Or do you have like separate vpns?
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.
