Tips to Improve the Security of a NAS Server

Security is something that must be present at all levels. It does not matter what type of device or system we are using. We must always keep our data safe and thus avoid problems, such as the entry of intruders that control the equipment connected to the network. In this article we are going to explain what to do to improve the security of a NAS . A series of essential recommendations that we must carry out in order not to have problems of any kind.

What is a NAS device

A NAS server is a storage device that is connected to the network. They are increasingly used both by private users as well as by companies and organizations. Very useful for storing all kinds of data and being able to access them over the Internet from anywhere.

Improve the Security of a NAS Server

Its main function is to serve as a device to store information . It acts as if it were an external hard drive, where we can save all kinds of content, but which is also connected to the network. We already know that the use of the cloud is increasingly present among users and this type of equipment has also gained fundamental weight.

It must be taken into account that a NAS is a complete device , with its own operating system, applications that we can install, functions and characteristics of its own, as well as being able to create or modify aspects related to security to protect that data that we store.

Most commonly, a NAS server is directly connected to the router . In this way, you will always have access to the Internet to be able to update it, access it from any device and be part of a team more connected to our network.

Depending on the type of NAS we use, we can access it from a computer browser or even from a mobile application. As long as it is connected to the network and properly configured, we can access it from anywhere.

Cómo elegir un servidor NAS

How to improve the security of a NAS server

We have seen what a NAS server is and now we are going to give some essential guidelines to maintain security at all times . We have already indicated that it is a very important factor and must be taken care of at all times. We must avoid making mistakes that may affect us.

We must be aware that there are many types of threats that we could face when using a NAS server. There is specific malware capable of attacking these devices, they can also take advantage of vulnerabilities present at the firmware level, DDoS attacks, ransomware … For all this we must protect it adequately. It is important to prevent the entry of intruders that could damage security.

Use strong passwords

Without a doubt, something basic to improve the security of any device is to create passwords that are strong and complex . They must contain letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and other special symbols. We must always choose passwords that are unique and that we are not using anywhere else.

Ultimately, the password is the main barrier that we can use to keep intruders out of our accounts. To improve reliability we can help ourselves with a key manager, since they allow us to create them with all the necessary characteristics to avoid problems.

It should be mentioned that even many devices can have a factory password, which we must change as soon as possible. If we keep the next one, it could be a problem, since an attacker with the necessary knowledge could break it.

Enable double authentication

Beyond using a password that is strong, we must also consider the importance of using two- factor or two-factor authentication. Basically it is an extra layer of security that we can include. One more way to prevent attackers from entering our NAS.

Two-step authentication is generally a code that we must include in addition to the password. It allows us to verify that we are really a legitimate user and that we are not trying to fraudulently access the device. It is a very interesting option and that we must take into account whenever possible to protect our accounts and computers.

La importancia del uso de la autenticación 2FA

Update firmware

We must also mention the importance of keeping our NAS server properly updated . There are many vulnerabilities that could appear. Many flaws that hackers could exploit to carry out attacks, access the network, and ultimately put security at risk.

It is essential that we regularly update the firmware of the NAS. Only then will we always have the latest improvements, something that will also help increase performance, make better use of available resources and of course reduce the risk of possible dangers on the network. Of course, we must always update from official sources and never install software from third-party sites that could have been maliciously modified.

Enable protection against DoS and other attacks

The NAS device itself may have some options to configure. An example is enabling DoS protection . This will depend on the type of device we are using, but in general we will have to enter the Security section, which we will find in the device menu.

It is convenient that we spend some time at this point. We can activate some options that can come in handy to prevent different attacks that could damage the security of this type of device.

Opt for local access only

One more possibility that we can consider to improve the security of a NAS device is to disable access through the Internet and only allow it locally . In this way, what we do is simply disconnect the device from the network and we could only enter the files locally.

It may not be a good idea for those who want to make the most of the functions of this type of equipment, but it could be taken into account to maximize security for those who only want to use it locally.

Disable SMB protocol

One more of the recommendations to improve the security of a NAS is to disable the SMB protocol . It is another option that we must take with caution, since usability could be affected. It is useful to avoid ransomware attacks on our system, since they could not encrypt the files. Therefore, it is one more alternative that we can include in our advice on how to improve the security of a NAS server.

Ultimately, these are some tips to protect network-attached storage equipment. We can thus prevent the entry of intruders who may steal information or attack our computers in any way. Security is something that we must take into account at all times, especially when it comes to devices connected to the network.