this post was submitted on 31 Aug 2026
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So, just as the title says, I wanna know if anyone here uses a proxy as a way to access a private network instead of a VPN.

In my server i just use nginx to reverse proxy through different webapps, and now the time has arrived for nextcloud, now I'm thinking that I'd rather have such services more isolated from the wider web, and I like the simplicity of a proxy login. Though I am skeptical of the user/password model for proxying into a server. Afaik all proxy server logins work within that framework.

So, does anyone do this??

Edit: I know I can find a config wherever in the web, the post is more about experiences or thoughts about using a proxy instead of the common recommendation of a VPN. Thats all. :)

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I'm a big fan of mutual TLS, which I just do in nginx reverse proxy.
Client certs get installed on trusted devices and then it's mostly seamless.
Not every app will support it, but I use Firefox as a fallback for stuff that doesn't, or my VPN.
TBH, I'm just happy homeassistant supports it as that's the one thing I'd rather be as seamless as possible.
Other things I don't mind having to connect a VPN for, like jellyfin, which I don't currently share with others.
For nextcloud I'm currently not running mTLS as it wasn't supported back then and I had to share some links with some people where I wouldn't deal with certs. I think mTLS support has been merged since, so if you just use it for devices under your control, or might be viable