TrueNAS Scale is the starting point. Think of it as your family's personal server — it stores your photos, videos, and files safely at home with military-grade protection.
From here, we add apps that replace Google, Netflix, and all the services watching your family.
Replace Big Tech, Keep Your Privacy
Sophos Firewall → Protect Your Home Network
Free professional-grade security for your home. Stops hackers and malware before they reach your family's devices.
- ✓ Blocks dangerous websites automatically
- ✓ Filters inappropriate content
- ✓ Stops viruses at the network level
- ✓ Built-in VPN server for secure remote access
- ✓ Free for home use
Immich → Your Family Photo Album
Like Google Photos, but lives in your house. Automatically organizes photos by faces and places — nobody else can see them.
- ✓ Recognizes family members' faces
- ✓ Works just like iPhone Live Photos
- ✓ Share albums with family only
- ✓ Photos auto-upload from phones
- ✓ Search by people, places, or things
Nextcloud → Your Family Files & Calendar
Replace Google Drive and iCloud. Share files with family, sync calendars, and even edit documents — all from your home.
- ✓ Works on phones, tablets, and computers
- ✓ Family calendar everyone can see
- ✓ Share files between family members
- ✓ Edit Word and Excel files online
- ✓ Encrypted so only you can access
Bitwarden → Family Password Manager
Securely store all your family's passwords at home. Better than writing them on sticky notes or reusing "Password123" everywhere.
- ✓ Extra security with 2-factor codes
- ✓ Works in all web browsers
- ✓ Safely share Netflix password with family
- ✓ Emergency access for family members
Plex → Your Personal Netflix
Store your family's movies, shows, and home videos. Watch from anywhere — even on vacation with your phone.
- ✓ Plays on any device
- ✓ Download to phone for airplane trips
- ✓ Record live TV with antenna
- ✓ Watch from anywhere in the world
- ✓ Each family member gets their own profile
Tailscale → Access Home From Anywhere
Securely connect to your home network from work, vacation, or anywhere. Like having a private tunnel back home.
- ✓ Super secure (military encryption)
- ✓ Works on phones and laptops
- ✓ Access your files from anywhere
- ✓ Watch your security cameras remotely
- ✓ No complicated setup required
Pi-hole → Block Ads on Everything
Block ads and tracking on every device in your house automatically. Works on phones, tablets, smart TVs, everything.
- ✓ Blocks over 100,000 ad websites
- ✓ See what your devices are connecting to
- ✓ Protects kids from tracking
- ✓ Makes web pages load faster
Home Assistant → Smart Home Controller
Control lights, thermostat, door locks — all from one app. No Alexa or Google Home watching your family.
- ✓ Works with 2,000+ smart devices
- ✓ Automate lights, locks, thermostats
- ✓ Voice control without Amazon/Google
- ✓ Control everything from your phone
- ✓ Track home energy usage
Uptime Kuma → Monitor Your Services
Get alerts if any of your home services go down. Know if your photo server or security cameras stop working.
- ✓ Checks if websites and services are up
- ✓ Shows status on a dashboard
- ✓ Text/email alerts when things break
- ✓ Monitors website security certificates
Frigate → Your Private Security System
Replace Ring/Nest cameras. AI-powered person detection, all recordings stay at home. Amazon can't see your backyard.
- ✓ AI detects people, cars, animals
- ✓ Works with any IP camera
- ✓ 24/7 recording stored at home
- ✓ Mobile alerts and live viewing
- ✓ No monthly fees, ever
🚨 Why Ring and Nest Are Watching You
When you buy a Ring doorbell or Nest camera, you're not just buying a security camera — you're installing a corporate surveillance device in your home.
📹 Amazon Owns Your Footage
Ring (owned by Amazon) stores all your camera footage on their servers. They can access it, analyze it, and have given it to police without warrants over 11 times in 2022.
🤖 Training AI on Your Family
Your doorbell footage is used to train Amazon's facial recognition systems. Every time your kid walks to the bus stop, Amazon's AI is learning and profiling.
👮 Police Partnerships
Ring has partnerships with over 2,000 police departments. Law enforcement can request your footage directly from Amazon — and you might never know.
💰 You're the Product
Ring cameras track who comes to your door, what packages arrive, when you're home. This data is valuable — and Amazon is building a profile of your household.
✅ Frigate Changes Everything
With Frigate on your home server, all camera footage stays on your network. No cloud. No Amazon. No police partnerships. Your security cameras actually work for you, not a corporation. AI person detection runs locally — your family's faces never leave your house.