Episode 36: k3tan (ministryofnodes.com.au) on Bitcoin Nodes - What is a node, why run your own, what options are available, and how to improve privacy and security with Tor, VPN, and firewall settings

Discount link: https://www.hardblock.com.au/join/ozbitcoinpod

The Australian Bitcoin Podcast is focused on Australian bitcoin and privacy content, including educational episodes, recent news, and guest interviews.  

Thanks to our guest:
https://twitter.com/_k3tan
https://twitter.com/ministryofnodes

Host: https://twitter.com/mission_bitcoin

Sponsored by HardBlock - Australia's oldest bitcoin-only exchange: https://www.hardblock.com.au

Notes

- Becoming a seaplane pilot in the Maldives to orange pill unsuspecting passengers

- What is a bitcoin node?

- Why run your own bitcoin node (better security and privacy)?

- What nodes have we experimented with (bitcoin core, electrum servers, MyNode, RoninDojo, and Umbrel / Citadel)?

- Should you run a node on a single-board computer or a desktop / laptop with more processing power?

- What is the electrum server stack (bitcoin core > electrum server > Sparrow wallet)?

- What are the pros and cons of running bitcoin core alone versus with an electrum server (personal, rust, or fulcrum)?

- Troubleshooting the initial indexing for fulcrum server (eg, using internal SSD, turning down fast sync and increasing swap space)

- BTCPay Server options (self-hosted node box versus virtual private server versus using a community node)

- What's the difference between BTCPay Server and other options (eg, SatSale)?

- Should you run your node on a dedicated device or your daily driver device?

- Should you run Tor or a VPN with your node?

- How can you use firewalls or virtual networks (or guest networks) to improve your node security?

- Take advantage of the bear market - it's time to be productive and to learn!

References

Ministry of Nodes website and Youtube channel:

https://www.ministryofnodes.com.au/

https://www.youtube.com/c/MinistryofNodes

k3tans bitcoin journey and a discussion about bitcoin on-chain privacy best practices (including KYC vs no KYC, Samourai & Sparrow Coinjoin Tools, and Network Privacy):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaiTeZcRk_Q

Introduction to bitcoin nodes for (beginners including what is a bitcoin node, why run a node, and common node options):

https://learn.hardblock.com.au/bitcoin-nodes/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTJiQB06QNQ