A VPN is a sure way to protect yourself when using a device connected to the outside world. Be it a smartphone, computer, or even a NAS, it may be a good idea for you to consider setting one up across your arsenal of tech. I’m going to show you how to do just this on a Synology enclosure.
What is a VPN?
A virtual private network (VPN) is precisely what it describes. It’s a private network connection that’s established between a device and a whole host of servers. Your connection is routed through the chosen location, effectively masking your IP and other identifiable data when connecting to other servers.
A VPN can be used for anything from establishing secured connections for important websites and portals to making a video streaming service believe you’re located in a different country to gain access to media content.
While HTTPS and other measures can help protect yourself online, it’s still possible for middlemen (for instance, your internet service provider) to snoop in on what you’re doing. This is why I recommend everyone use a VPN where possible.
How to set up a VPN on Synology NAS
A preferred method in connecting your NAS to a VPN provider would be through OpenVPN (Synology states this as a requirement). Many providers will have configuration files available that can automatically configure your NAS to connect to secure servers.
- Log in to your Synology NAS.
- Go to Control Panel > Network > Network Interface.
- Click Create.
- Click Create VPN profile.
- Choose between PPTP, OpenVPN (recommended), and L2TP/IPSec.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup process.
Once the VPN connection has been established, the Synology NAS will then route all traffic through it, as if it were its own network connection. If the VPN connection drops, it’ll show as disconnected.
How to connect to a VPN on Synology NAS
Activating or disabling a VPN connection on Synology NAS is incredibly straightforward.
- Log in to your Synology NAS.
- Go to Control Panel > Network > Network Interface.
- Select the desired VPN profile.
- Click Connect (or Disconnect if you want to kill the connection).
