Accessing an NAS via the Internet

user1842

Hi,

What's the best way of accessing a NAS via the internet?

1. I have a NAS on my home network with ddns enabled so when I use the ddns address I can access my NAS's web menu. Is this a secure way of accessing it?

2. Also can I map a network drive via windows to link to the logical volume of my NAS from the internet? I have tried to map using the ddns address but it does not connect eg. //example.ddns.com/drive_volume (entering also a username & password which I setup). I though this should work? Do I need to forward more ports to allow this (only one port forwarded thus far)? Also is this a secure way to access my NAS?

Sorry about all the questions but this is the first time I have done this and I don't my files hacked easily by anyone on the internet.

Im not sure has this been answered before, I have done a search but cant find any direct answers

kippy

There are some relatively direct answers here as well as some alternatives:
http://www.computing.net/answers/networking/access-home-nas-remotely/30193.html
http://www.techsupportforum.com/forums/f31/accessing-my-home-nas-via-the-internet-144129.html
http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/t302323.html

Any further questions that arent answered there?

user1842

Hi,

So from those links I just need to open ports for SMB on my router.

The question I have is, is this secure?

Should I not setup a VPN? (not sure how to do this when the only thing turned on in my network will be my DSL modem, router and NAS)?

Thanks

kippy

dmclean1842 wrote: »

Hi,

So from those links I just need to open ports for SMB on my router.

The question I have is, is this secure?

Should I not setup a VPN? (not sure how to do this when the only thing turned on in my network will be my DSL modem, router and NAS)?

Thanks

What did you pick up from the three links provided on security?
http://forum.qnap.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=27064
Theres a bit more on that link, specific to that particular device however can be applied to any.


Short answer, its not really secure at all (opening ports and forwarding them) - but a lot depends on the software on the NAS.
VPN would probably be the best option but it depends on a few variables as to whether it is available to you.