I ditched OpenClaw and built a more secure AI agent (Blink and Mac Mini)
coder.com
February 13, 2026
16 min read
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43/100
Summary
OpenClaw allows users to create personal AI assistants that manage emails, calendar invites, automate browser tasks, and facilitate communication across messaging apps. A more secure AI agent can be built using Blink and a Mac Mini, avoiding exposure to the public internet.
Key Takeaways
- OpenClaw, a personal AI assistant, was found to have security vulnerabilities that exposed user data to the public internet due to its default network settings.
- The author built a more secure AI agent using a Mac Mini and open-source tools Blink and Tailscale, prioritizing a secure default setup without requiring constant maintenance.
- The new AI agent is designed to manage tasks like email triage and file organization while ensuring sensitive information is handled separately from general tasks.
- The entire setup for the new AI agent is free to run, with no subscriptions or cloud dependencies, emphasizing user control over data.
Community Sentiment
Positives
- The alternative AI agent built with Blink and Tailscale demonstrates a commitment to security by isolating agents and minimizing public exposure, which is crucial for personal AI applications.
- The Mac Mini's low idle power draw of ~10W makes it an efficient choice for running personal AI agents, promoting accessibility for users interested in experimenting with AI on their own hardware.
Concerns
- Concerns about the security of OpenClaw highlight a troubling trend where security features are not prioritized in AI development, risking user safety and trust.
- The skepticism surrounding claims of improved security in the new AI agent suggests that the community is wary of unverified assertions in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
