I ditched OpenClaw and built a more secure AI agent (Blink and Mac Mini)
7 hours ago
- #AI
- #OpenSource
- #Security
- OpenClaw gained popularity as a personal AI assistant but faced security issues due to default public internet exposure.
- Security concerns with OpenClaw included accidental exposure of shell, browser automation tools, and API keys.
- The author built a secure personal AI agent using Blink (agent platform) and Tailscale (security layer) on a Mac Mini.
- Blink provides isolated containers for each agent, ensuring separation of tasks and credentials.
- Tailscale ensures the system is invisible to the public internet, requiring cryptographic authentication for access.
- The setup includes specialized agents for business and personal tasks, improving response quality and security.
- Blink supports multi-channel messaging (Telegram, SMS, WhatsApp) with lightweight adapters for each platform.
- Cost-effective with minimal ongoing expenses: ~$19/month for Mac Mini, ~$1.50 for electricity, and $5-15 for AI model usage.
- Key security features: no public internet exposure, isolated containers, cryptographic authentication, and granular permissions.
- The entire system was built in two weeks using open-source tools, emphasizing security from the start.