Firefox via VNC as a Docker Container

Running

Docker hub: https://hub.docker.com/r/tenox7/vncfox

docker run -d \
    --name vncfox \
    -p 5900:5900 \
    tenox7/vncfox:latest

This container is dual architecture, AMD64 and ARM64, it can be run on Mac host with Apple Silicon, Raspberry PI, etc.

VNC Password is: vncfox

Persistent Profiles

If you want the profile to persist between sessions, mount /home/vncfox/.mozilla as a volume. Either create a persistent Docker volume or bind mount to a folder on the host.

docker volume create vncfox
docker run -d \
    --name vncfox \
    -v vncfox:/home/vncfox/.mozilla
    -p 5900:5900 \
    tenox7/vncfox:latest

Download Redirect

I typically bind mount a folder exported via NFS to /home/vncfox/Downloads.

-v /net/nas/Downloads:/home/vncfox/Downloads

Resolution

TightVNC 1.3 doesn't support remote resize. Only a fixed resolution is allowed. The default resolution is 1024x768. This is because I mostly work on workstations with 1280x1024 and I want a smaller window. However you can set custom resolution by using WIDTH and HEIGHT env variables. In future the server side may be upgraded to TigerVNC which allows remote resize.

docker volume create vncfox
docker run -d \
    --name vncfox \
    -v vncfox:/home/vncfox/.mozilla
    -p 5900:5900 \
    -e WIDTH=1600 -e HEIGHT=1200 \
    tenox7/vncfox:latest

VNC Client

It's recommended to use Tight or Tiger VNC client to reduce CPU usage and improve performance.

A collection of Tight VNC ports is available here: http://osarchive.org/apps/vnc/tight/ports

Useful keyboard shortcuts

• F8 - opens TightVNC menu, clipboard transfer etc
• F11 - FireFox full screen mode

Firefox Customization

Better scrollbars:

about:config
widget.non-native-theme.scrollbar.style = 1
widget.gtk.overlay-scrollbars.enabled = false
layout.testing.overlay-scrollbars.always-visible = true

FBI recommends installation of an ad blocker.