CrowdSec vs Fail2Ban: Modern Intrusion Prevention for Homelabs

Protecting your self-hosted services from brute-force attacks, port scanning, and malicious traffic is essential. For years, Fail2Ban has been the go-to solution for Linux system administrators. But CrowdSec has emerged as a modern alternative with collaborative threat intelligence and Docker-first design. Which one should you choose for your homelab? 💡 This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more. In this guide, we’ll compare CrowdSec and Fail2Ban across key metrics: installation complexity, configuration flexibility, performance impact, community features, and real-world effectiveness. By the end, you’ll know exactly which intrusion prevention system fits your self-hosted infrastructure. ...

February 23, 2026 · 10 min · SelfHostWise

How to Harden Your Linux Server for Self-Hosting — SSH Keys, 2FA, and More

When you expose a server to the internet — whether it’s hosting your personal cloud, a website, or home services — security becomes critical. Default configurations are designed for convenience, not security. Without proper hardening, your server is vulnerable to brute force attacks, unauthorized access, and potential compromise. 💡 This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more. This comprehensive guide walks you through essential security measures every self-hoster should implement: SSH key authentication, two-factor authentication, firewall configuration, automatic security updates, and additional hardening techniques that will significantly reduce your attack surface. ...

February 22, 2026 · 11 min · SelfHostWise