If your NAS is connected to the Internet, ensure all user accounts and credentials are secure. Strong passwords are a good start, but two-factor authentication is even more effective because it prevents attackers from using brute force methods.
Also, change default ports to stop attackers from attacking your NAS. QC IDs can be guessed, and lists of known QC IDs circulate on the web.
Install Strong Passwords
Many NAS devices are vulnerable to malware, brute force attacks, and other sophisticated hacking techniques. However, users can protect their data from unauthorized access by installing solid passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and encrypting data on the fly.
Another essential tip on how to secure NAS security is to change default ports. By default, most NAS devices use port 22 for SSH connections, an easy target for hackers. Closing this port prevents incoming connections from your NAS and helps avoid brute-force attacks.
Also, consider enabling denial-of-service attack protection on your NAS. Although it’s typically turned off by default, this feature is a fantastic method to shield your data from fraudulent traffic, which can ultimately cause NAS equipment to malfunction or slow down.
Finally, remember to regularly backup and restore your NAS. Even if a robust firewall protects your NAS, it’s still at risk of being attacked or destroyed physically. An offline backup ensures your data remains safe if a fire or burglary happens. And remember to update your NAS software often, as this will prevent cybercriminals from exploiting new vulnerabilities.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication (TFA) is an excellent extra security measure that can significantly reduce your chances of becoming the victim of a NAS hack. Hackers are always trying to find new ways to get past account security and access private data that they can use for illegal actions like identity theft. Using TFA eliminates the one weak point in most NAS systems – user credentials.
While passwords are essential for account security, they can be guessed or stolen from a compromised device. However, Using two-factor authentication creates a massive barrier for hackers to cross by requiring a second piece of information only the legitimate user can provide. The second factor can be something as simple as a mobile phone number or a dedicated authenticator app like Google Authenticator.
Most NAS manufacturers offer the option of enabling 2FA for their products. Whether using a QNAP, Synology, or Buffalo model, enabling this feature can boost your resistance to attacks. Just be sure to use a separate authenticator app that can’t be stolen and keep the codes in a safe place.
Disable Default Admin Accounts
Default admin login credentials are the first step hackers use when attacking NAS. Changing these to strong passwords significantly mitigates risk. Changing passwords for non-admin accounts that permit access, such as FTP, is also essential. This can help prevent lateral attacks if an attacker gains access to your more excellent network through a NAS.
Ensure NAS firmware updates are completed regularly to fix any known vulnerabilities. This is essential, mainly if the NAS system can complete these automatically. Many cyber attacks come from outdated software, which hackers can exploit to gain unauthorized access.
It’s also vital to recognize the threat posed by former employees who may still have administrative access to the NAS. Developing proper offboarding processes to remove their privileges can protect data from being exposed by disgruntled employees. Moreover, encrypting the most sensitive data and files is another crucial security measure to implement to mitigate against Command Injection attacks. This allows for separating critical data from other unsecured files and folders, minimizing risk and protecting the business.
Enable HTTPS Connections
Since NAS devices are meant to be online constantly, although this is great for data access, they are also open to constant threats. This is why implementing a firm password policy, enabling 2-factor authentication, and encrypting all connections (including internal) is vital to your NAS security strategy.
While the threat landscape for NAS is constantly evolving, the basics, like leveraging snapshot technology for data backup and restoration, creating a 3-2-1 disaster recovery plan, enabling 2-factor authentication, utilizing a password manager application, and regularly updating firmware and apps, are all crucial. These best practices can help you bolster your NAS security architecture and prevent many malware and ransomware attacks.
It’s also essential to ensure that anyone who connects to your NAS remotely uses an SSL connection. This will ensure malicious actors don’t receive login credentials and conceal insights about the user’s session, including the device used. You can easily enable SSL on any NAS device with a free certificate from Let’s Encrypt.
Restrict Access to Local Network
Many NAS devices are configured to allow external access, making them vulnerable to attacks. This capability must be disabled to restrict NAS access to users on the same network. This further contributes to preventing data theft from the NAS.
Additionally, it’s essential only to use a VPN when connecting to the NAS, which will encrypt the data you send over the connection so that no one can see what information is being transmitted. This is especially important if you’re using free WiFi since the data can be intercepted by criminals who might want to gain access to your sensitive files.
Finally, it’s essential to update the NAS firmware regularly. This will help to patch any vulnerabilities that have been discovered and prevent cybercriminals from taking advantage of them. It’s also a good idea to implement a schedule for updating the NAS system to update consistently and immediately after new patches are released. The Security Advisor app can help you do this on a Synology NAS.
