Best VPN for Synology NAS in 2024 – Secure File Sharing

  • Last updated July 24, 2024
  • Naveen Zehra
    Naveen Zehra
    Naveen Zehra
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    Naveen Zehra, an editor at VPNRanks.com, has a decade of writing experience. With a strong background in tech and privacy, she creates easy VPN guides. Passionate about privacy, she understands data tracking and its impacts, ensuring her insights resonate with readers.
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    written by
    Naveen Zehra
    Naveen Zehra
    Naveen Zehra
    Editor
    Naveen Zehra, an editor at VPNRanks.com, has a decade of writing experience. With a strong background in tech and privacy, she creates easy VPN guides. Passionate about privacy, she understands data tracking and its impacts, ensuring her insights resonate with readers.
    See Full Bio >
    Editor

A Synology NAS (Network-Attached Storage) is a comprehensive storage solution recently spotlighted by cybersecurity incidents, including a significant vulnerability discovered by Claroty in both Western Digital and Synology NAS products during the Pwn2Own Toronto contest, underscoring the need for the best VPN for Synology NAS.

The best VPN services work by encrypting your internet connection and routing it through a secure server, masking your IP address, and protecting data from interception, which is crucial for devices like Synology NAS when accessing files remotely or using public Wi-Fi.

It is important to note that finding a suitable VPN for Synology presents its own set of challenges. Many services lack essential protocols like OpenVPN, PPTP, and L2TP/IPSec and fail to offer the necessary speed and security.

Despite the challenge, my research identifies ExpressVPN as a standout NAS VPN. It combines fast speeds, strong security features, and compatibility with Synology NAS through OpenVPN, PPTP, and L2TP/IPSec protocols. This addresses the critical vulnerabilities exposed in cybersecurity contests and ensures robust file protection.

Quick Overview – Best VPN for Synology NAS in 2024

The best VPNs for Synology NAS in 2024 are those VPNs that offer robust security features, compatibility with Synology devices, and an easy setup process. After thorough research, here’s a comprehensive look at the best VPN for Synology NAS services that stand out for their performance and security:

Why Should You Use a VPN for Synology?

Even though Synology NAS employs AES 256-bit encryption to secure files stored on the device, vulnerabilities may arise during the transfer process, exposing files to unauthorized parties. Synology has also highlighted a surge in brute-force attacks targeting its devices through a security advisory.

This risk applies regardless of the Synology model you use, such as the Diskstation DS1522+, DS220+, and DS220j. Consequently, employing a VPN with your Synology NAS is crucial for several reasons:

  • Enhanced Security: A VPN Synology NAS encrypts your internet traffic, safeguarding your digital activities from hackers and prying eyes. This additional layer of security is particularly valuable when using public Wi-Fi networks.
  • Privacy Protection: By concealing your IP address and geographical location, a VPN ensures your browsing habits remain anonymous, preventing third-party tracking.
  • Protection Against Cyberthreats: Synology NAS devices have been targeted by various cyber threats, including ransomware attacks. For instance, Synology NAS servers were affected by the ‘SynoLocker’ ransomware, which exploited vulnerabilities in older versions of the DiskStation Manager (DSM) software.
  • Facilitated Remote Access: Securely access your Synology NAS from any location, enabling safe retrieval and management of files whether you’re at home or in the office.
  • Safe File Exchange: Employing a VPN provides a protected channel for sharing files, especially those of a sensitive nature, encrypting data to thwart unauthorized access or theft.
  • Prevention of Bandwidth Throttling: ISPs might reduce your internet speed based on your activity. A VPN encrypts your traffic, making it difficult for ISPs to identify and limit your data usage, ensuring consistent internet speeds.

Apart from me, even Redditors emphasize using a VPN with Synology. As per a Reddit thread, a VPN creates a secure tunnel to the entire network, allowing you to access any file or service just like you were physically connected. Unlike DS Files, which provides access to specific files, a VPN offers a more secure connection by encrypting all traffic between your device and the Synology NAS.

5 Best VPNs for Synology in 2024 [In-Depth Analysis]

With the growing number of cyber threats, Synology devices need a VPN to guarantee maximum protection and encryption of your data. Therefore, to help you find out what is the best VPN for Synology, I have tested 55+ VPN services based on security, speed, and servers to shortlist the best VPN for Synology NAS in 2024.

Testing Methodology: How to Choose the Best VPN for Synology

Not all VPNs are compatible with Synology. Therefore, I have recommended the 5 best VPNs for Synology after rigorously testing 55+ VPN services on wide criteria.

In addition to the best VPN Synology compatibility, here is a list of important factors on which each VPN was tested:

  • Fast servers. The VPN you choose should give you top speed with unlimited data so you can easily upload and download large files on Synology with ease. The optimized Synology NAS VPN servers should not drop your speed by more than 30%.
  • Advanced encryption. There should be 256-bit secure encryption that creates a protective tunnel to protect your data while transferring.
  • Kill switch. An automatic kill switch to make sure no one can track your true IP address in case the VPN connection fails.
  • Zero-log policy. Zero log policy and DNS to further protect your data from criminals, offering online anonymity.
  • Tight security. The best VPN must come equipped with advanced security features like obfuscation, perfect forward secrecy, port forwarding, and split tunneling.
  • Good value for money. Price is an important factor when determining the VPN to use. Therefore, I have made sure that the price of the VPN is justified by the features and services offered.
  • User-friendliness: The VPNs we’ve jotted down are easy to use on Synology devices. Therefore, you can either use the installation guides for Synology available on their website or check out the steps below.

How to Install VPN the Best VPN for Synology NAS

There are two different methods for installing VPNs on Synology, depending on the protocol you wish to use. I have explained both methods so you can choose the one you like and set up a VPN on Synology NAS.

Note: The Synology OpenVPN setup is different depending on the VPN provider. However, PPTP installation is generally the same.

Set Up VPN on Synology NAS using OpenVPN

OpenVPN is recommended for Synology users as it offers more security than other protocols like PPTP. In this tutorial, I will show you how to set up ExpressVPN on your Synology using OpenVPN.

Turn off IPv6 on Synology

  1. Now, turn on your Synology device and go to Control Panel > Network.
  2. Click Network Interface > LAN > select Edit. 
  3. Click IPv6 > IPv6 Setup > select Off.
  4. Select OK and reboot your Synology.

Create a VPN profile using these Synology VPN setup instructions:

  1. Sign in to Synology and tap on Control Panel.”
  2. Then, visit Network.”
  3. Navigate to Network Interface > Create > Create VPN profile.
  4. Choose OpenVPN (via importing a .ovpn file) > click Next.
  5. Enter details in the following fields:
    • Profile Name: Enter the name of the VPN profile you are setting up. It could be anything you like.
    • User Name: Enter the username you saw on the ExpressVPN setup page.
    • Password: Enter the password you found on the ExpressVPN setup page.
    • Import .ovpn file: Now, upload the OpenVPN configuration file found on the ExpressVPN setup page.
    • CA certificate: You can leave this blank.
  6. Choose all options and click Apply.
  7. Select the profile you created and click Connect.
  8. When the VPN is connected, you will see the word Connected under your VPN name.
  9. To disconnect, simply click the Disconnect option under your VPN name.

That’s how you set up a VPN on Synology NAS! Looks easy, right? You can also easily use Synology VPN on Download Station to download files easily.

Set Up the Best VPN for Synology NAS using PPTP

Here’s how to set up a VPN on a typical Synology device using PPTP:

  1. Open your Synology control panel.
  2. Click on the “Network” icon.
  3. Choose “Create” and then select “Create VPN profile.”
  4. Choose “PPTP” as your VPN connection method and click “Next.”
  5. Enter your credentials, such as username, password, server location (you can find these on the provider’s support page), and other details, then click “Next.”
  6. Enter advanced settings as follows:
    • Authentication: Select “MS-CHAP v2”
    • Encryption: Select “Maximum MPPE (128 bit)”

Although these are the generally applicable settings, make sure to verify your providers’ specifications for advanced settings.

  1. Check “use default gateway on remote network” and “reconnect when the VPN connection is lost”
  2. Click “Apply”
  3. Select your new VPN profile and click “Connect” 

Now that you know how does Synology VPN work, it’s time to get ExpressVPN for your device now!

Get ExpressVPN # 1 VPN for Synology NAS in USA 30-day money-back guarantee

How Does Using VPNs Improve your NAS Experience?

Using a VPN for NAS devices adds an extra layer of security, allowing you to prevent ransomware attacks and other potential online threats. When a Synology router VPN is installed on your NAS system, all traffic is routed over the VPN network, guaranteeing the privacy and security of your files.

Other advantages of using VPNs on your NAS devices include:

  • You can hide your search history, online activity, user trends, and the history of your downloads and uploads from your Internet service providers.
  • It helps you to access entirely filtered, blocked, or restricted content and websites that your employer, your school’s internet provider, and the government (in the case of China) prevent you from accessing.
  • It ensures your information is hidden from free Wi-Fi providers in public hotspots like libraries, Cafes, Shopping malls, and transportation hubs.

Can I Use a Free Synology VPN?

Yes, you can use a free VPN with Synology NAS, but I recommend against it. Free VPNs could be appealing, but a premium VPN with a money-back guarantee is a smart and reliable choice.

Free VPNs are problematic for Synology NAS because they lack basic security measures (such as a kill switch and protocols). Free services frequently have speed and server restrictions, which cause lags and traffic load.

Last but not least, free VPNs are a dangerous alternative because Synology NAS is used to store private information and free VPNs have a history of gathering user information and which they later sell to make money. For all this reason, I always recommend avoiding a free VPN Synology and using ExpressVPN instead.

Get ExpressVPN # 1 VPN for Synology NAS in USA 30-day money-back guarantee

Synology Reddit Community Insights: Top VPN Recommendations for Synology NAS

In the course of researching this article, I found that he Synology community on Reddit provides a wealth of knowledge and shared experiences regarding the best VPN services for Synology NAS devices, particularly focusing on security and ease of setup for torrenting activities. Here’s a summary of the key insights gathered from the discussions:

  1. Preferred VPN Services: Mullvad is frequently recommended due to its strong privacy policies and ease of integration with Synology systems. NordVPN is also favored for its robust security features, including reliable encryption and advanced leak protection mechanisms. i however disagree with this sentiment as ExpressVPN worked best during my own tests.
  2. Security Setup: There is a significant focus on ensuring VPN configurations are secure and robust. Many users suggest using Docker containers to manage VPN connections, which helps isolate and secure torrenting applications from other network traffic. This setup ensures that any drop in VPN connectivity doesn’t expose the user’s real IP address, maintaining privacy at all times.
  3. Technical Implementation: Detailed guides and advice on technical setups are common. Users share step-by-step instructions on setting up VPNs using OpenVPN configurations and Docker containers. The advice also covers port forwarding and setting up VPNs to route only specific traffic through the VPN connection, keeping local network activities unaffected.
  4. Troubleshooting and Optimization: Users actively share troubleshooting tips for common issues like VPN connection drops and configuration errors. Advice on optimizing VPN performance and security settings to ensure stable and secure connections is also prevalent.
  5. Community Support and Recommendations: The community’s proactive support and willingness to share personal experiences provide invaluable help to those new to VPN setups on Synology NAS. From choosing the right VPN provider to configuring network settings, the community contributions make the process much more manageable.

By leveraging the shared experiences and recommendations from the Synology Reddit community, users can make informed decisions about which VPNs offer the best compatibility and security for their Synology NAS systems.

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FAQs – Best VPN for Synology NAS

Yes, you should use a VPN on NAS. By connecting a NAS device to your network, all users gain convenient access to files stored in a centralized location. When a VPN is installed on your NAS device, all network traffic is routed through the VPN, providing an added layer of privacy and security to safeguard your files. The Synology DiskStation Manager 6.1 and over versions are all supported by ExpressVPN.

Yes, it is entirely legal to use a VPN on Synology NAS. VPNs are considered legal in most countries of the world. However, if you live in China, Oman, or other countries where using a VPN is banned, you may face certain issues.

ExpressVPN is the best choice to use with Synology. If your Synology NAS has a public IP address assigned by your ISP, you can skip this step. However, I advise utilizing either L2TP/IPSec VPN or OpenVPN for enhanced connection security compared to PPTP VPN.

ExpressVPN is my most advised option for the Synology OpenVPN combo. If you’re a bit unsure, then you can always check out the best VPN for Synology NAS Reddit reviews.

The Synology VPN server is an add-on package that enables your NAS Synology device to become a virtual private network (VPN) server in USA. This allows DSM users to access resources shared inside the local area network of the Synology product from the internet.

A VPN server Synology uses encryption and other security measures, allowing home and business owners to ensure the traffic to and from Synology NAS remains encrypted. That’s everything you need to know in my Synology VPN server review.

Here are the best free VPNs for Synology NAS:

  • ProtonVPN: Best free VPN for Synology NAS with unlimited bandwidth. It offers OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard VPN protocols as well (We highly recommend using OpenVPN Synology together).
  • Hide.Me: A secure free VPN for Synology. Enjoy maximum WiFi security thanks to technologies like IKEv2 IPsec, WireGuard, OpenVPN, SSTP, and SoftEther, which provide up to AES-256 encryption.
  • Windscribe: Best free VPNs for Synology offering 10GB free data per month, including AES-encryptions, OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard Protocols. It also offers a step guide on its website to use Windscribe Synology at the same time.

Follow the steps below and learn how to set up a VPN on your NAS devices:

  1. Sign up for a premium VPN. ExpressVPN is super secure and fast.
  2. Follow the instructions for downloading a VPN on your NAS device.
  3. Launch the VPN app and log in with your credentials.
  4. Choose a server and VPN protocol. Then, tap on ‘Connect.’
  5. That’s it! You can now enjoy an additional layer of security on your NAS device.

You cannot unblock IP with Synology. However, you can log in to your DSM account using another IP address. Once you’ve logged in, follow the steps below to remove the blocked IP.

  1. Checkmark Enable auto block at these locations:
    • For DSM 6.2 and before: Control Panel > Security > Account > Auto Block.
    • For DSM 7.0 and before: Control Panel > Security > Protection > Auto Block.
  2. Tap on the ‘Allow/Block List’ button.
  3. Then, visit ‘Block List.’
  4. Choose the blocked IP address and tap ‘Remove.’
  5. Click ‘Delete’ from the pop-up window.

Yes, it can. Synology supports AES 256-bit data encryption. In this Synology NAS encryption method, the data is stored in an encrypted format on shared folders with a set of encryption keys. With AES 256-bit encryption, Synology NAS blocks all unauthorized attempts to access your encrypted data.

Synology SSL VPN Client enables simple access to the Internet and local network resources. This Synology SSL VPN service is offered by the VPN Plus Server.

A VPN Server is an add-on that enables your NAS Synology device to become a VPN server, allowing all DSM users across the internet to access resources that are shared within the local area network of the Synology.

You can also use PPTP, OpenVPN, or L2TP/IPSec protocols offered by your VPN provider to turn your Synology device into a VPN Client.

Wrapping Up!

Synology NAS devices are highly useful as centralized data storage. It offers a convenient platform for users to store and manage their data from a single point. However, since these devices operate over the internet, it is extremely important to maintain security through high-quality encryption provided by VPNs.

Therefore, with the best VPN for Synology NAS, you can ensure adequate security of your centralized data with military-grade encryption protocols. Among all the VPNs I have tested, ExpressVPN is the top choice for NAS Synology as it offers extensive servers, advanced security features, and great speeds.

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