🚀 Getting Started with zrok: Secure, Simple Internet Sharing

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In today’s connected world, sharing files and services securely is more important than ever. Whether you’re a developer testing an app, a team member collaborating remotely, or just someone who wants to share files with friends, you’ve probably struggled with complex setups, firewalls, or risky public exposures.

That’s where zrok comes in.

🌐 What is zrok?

zrok (/ziːɹɒk/ ZEE-rock) is an open-source, self-hostable sharing platform built by NetFoundry. Think of it as your secure internet sharing perimeter — making it simple to share:

  • A running service (like a web app on localhost:8080)
  • A network socket
  • A folder of static files

zrok goes beyond traditional tunneling tools. It offers fine-grained security controls, ephemeral shares, and private/public options, making it flexible enough for both casual sharing and enterprise-grade use cases.

Plus, you can use it as a hosted service at myzrok.io (with a free tier) or run it yourself on Linux, Docker, or Kubernetes.

🔑 Why Use zrok?

Here’s what makes zrok stand out:

  1. Public Shares
    Share a service or folder with anyone on the internet. You can:
    • Reserve a custom public hostname
    • Add authentication options
    • Proxy HTTPS traffic securely
    Example: zrok share public 8080 Your local server instantly gets a secure public URL.
  2. Private Shares
    Share resources only with people who have the share token. Perfect for internal tools, private testing, or sensitive files. zrok share private http://localhost:8080
  3. Ephemeral by Default
    Once you stop sharing, the resource disappears. No accidental exposure, no mess left behind.
  4. Reserved Shares
    Need something more permanent? Reserve a share token you can reuse anytime.

⚡ Getting Started in 3 Steps

  1. Install zrok
    • Windows: Download the EXE
    • macOS: Use Homebrew or download binary
    • Linux: Install via RPM, DEB, AUR, or Homebrew
  2. Enable Your Environment
    After creating an account, enable zrok with your account token: zrok enable <your_account_token> This sets up your secure environment tied to your identity.
  3. Share Something!
    • Public example: zrok share public 8080 Share your local dev server.
    • Private example: zrok share private http://localhost:8080 Only accessible to those with the access command.

🔒 The Security Behind zrok

zrok is built on OpenZiti, a zero-trust networking platform. This means:

  • Your real environment stays hidden.
  • Access is controlled by tokens and permissions.
  • HTTPS encryption is applied automatically for public shares.

🛠️ Who is zrok For?

  • Developers → Share local dev environments without deploying.
  • Remote Teams → Securely access internal apps or services.
  • Educators & Trainers → Distribute course files or demo services.
  • Anyone → Share files or apps easily without worrying about firewall configs.

🚧 Self-Hosting Option

Want complete control? You can host your own zrok instance on Linux, Docker, or Kubernetes. This is ideal for organizations that need extra privacy or integration into their existing infrastructure.

🎯 Final Thoughts

zrok is more than just a tunneling tool — it’s a secure, user-friendly way to share resources over the internet. With public and private options, ephemeral shares, and OpenZiti’s security baked in, it’s a powerful solution for both personal and professional use cases.

👉 Ready to try it? Start with the hosted version at myzrok.io or dive into self-hosting. Either way, you’ll never think about sharing the same way again.

📚 Reference

  • NetFoundry. (2023). zrok: Your Secure Internet Sharing Perimeter – Getting Started Guide. Retrieved from https://zrok.io