Setting up Network Protection with Pi-hole, Docker, and Flask

Introduction

• Topics Covered: Pi-hole, Docker, Flask, Python, Linux, OpenDNS, Network Protection
• Objective: Use technology to protect your family’s network from distractions and unwanted content
• Prerequisite: Set up OpenDNS (covered in the first video)

Tools and Services

• Pi-hole: Acts as a DNS sinkhole, blocking ads and unwanted websites
• Docker: Containerization platform used to run Pi-hole
• Flask: Used for web interfaces
• Linux (Ubuntu): Operating system for running Docker
• SSH Program (SolarPutty): For logging into remote machines
• CBT Nuggets: Training platform for IT professionals (Sponsor of the video)
• IFTTT: Service to automate tasks (e.g., using Alexa to control Pi-hole)

Setup Steps

1. Preparing the Linux Environment

• Virtual Machine: Spin up a VM (Ubuntu) on a cloud provider or local machine
• SSH into VM: Using SolarPutty
• *Disable Ubuntu's native DNS resolver:
  • sudo systemctl stop systemd-resolved.service
  • sudo systemctl disable systemd-resolved.service
  • Edit /etc/resolv.conf to use a public DNS (e.g., Google DNS)*

2. Installing Docker

• Update Repositories: sudo apt update
• Install Docker: sudo apt install docker.io
• Verify Installation: sudo docker --version

3. Running Pi-hole in Docker

• Script Preparation: Use a Bash script from GitHub to run the Docker container
  • Save the script as pihole.sh
  • Make script executable: sudo chmod u+x pihole.sh
• Run Script: sudo ./pihole.sh
• Verify Pi-hole container running: sudo docker ps

4. Accessing Pi-hole

• Web Interface: Access via VM’s public IP address and port 8080
• Admin Panel: http://<IP Address>/admin
• Log in Using Password: Provided by the script
• Change Password: Log into the Docker container and run pihole -a -p
• Set Upstream DNS: Navigate to DNS settings in the Pi-hole admin panel and set DNS servers (e.g., OpenDNS)

5. Testing and Validating

• Point DNS to Pi-hole: Configure local device to use Pi-hole IP as DNS server
• Test DNS Resolution: Use nslookup to validate the setup
• Monitor Queries and Blocks: Use Pi-hole’s query log

Automation with Alexa and IFTTT

1. Setting up Python Scripts

• Docker Container Scripts: Scripts for blocking and unblocking domains
  • block_domains.sh and unblock_domains.sh
• Python Script: Network automation script (network.py)

2. Using IFTTT for Voice Control

• Create IFTTT Applets: To trigger blocking/unblocking via webhooks
  • Webhook URL: Use the public IP and appropriate port/endpoint (block or unblock)
  • Configure Alexa Trigger: Set specific phrases to initiate blocking/unblocking

Conclusion and Community

• Results: Efficiently block unwanted content and ads on the network using Pi-hole
• Further Learning: Recommend CBT Nuggets for more IT training
• Community Support: Join Discord server for additional help and sharing
• Personal Experience: Author’s testimony on Pi-hole’s effectiveness

Final Thoughts

• Encouragement: Continue learning and experimenting with IT tools and technologies
• Contact Information: Subscribe and join the community for more content and support