As content creators at The Byte Better, we understand the importance of keeping our digital stuff safe. With a lot of videos, screenshots, and photos we produce for our blog, ensuring the security and privacy of our data is a big deal. That’s why we’ve chosen Synology NAS as our go-to solution for centralized storage and management. And to further enhance our online security, we’ve decided to integrate NordVPN into our Synology NAS setup. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of setting up NordVPN on your Synology NAS, so you too can enjoy a secure and private online experience.
How to Connect to NordVPN on a Synology
You will need an active NordVPN subscription, If you haven’t subscribed yet, you can sign up for a plan on the NordVPN website. Additionally, make sure your Synology NAS runs DiskStation Manager (DSM) version 5.1 or later for compatibility with this setup process.
1. Now, onto choosing a server! This might seem tricky, but don’t sweat it. The easiest way is to simply connect to the NordVPN server you want to use and make a note of its ID. In our example, connecting to a server in the US with ID 9577 gives us the configuration file name “us9577”. We’ll use this info in the next step, so keep it handy!
2. Head over to the NordVPN website and get ready to do some detective work. Search for the specific server ID you jotted down earlier. Once you find it, look for the download link for the UDP configuration file. Think of this file as a secret handshake between your Synology and the chosen server. Download it and keep it in a safe spot – we’ll need it next!
Set Up NordVPN on a Synology NAS
Alright, UDP configuration file is secured! Now, let’s connect your Synology NAS to the NordVPN.
1. First things first, open your Synology’s Control Panel. Navigate to Network and then Network Interface, now click “Create” and then “Create VPN Profile.”
2. Next, choose “OpenVPN” and hit “Next.” Now comes the fun part – filling in the blanks! Give your profile a cool name like “NordVPN Security Shield” (or anything you like). Enter your NordVPN username and password. Don’t forget to upload the UDP configuration file we downloaded earlier.
3. Here’s where you can customize your connection a bit. Want your NAS to automatically reconnect to the VPN if it drops? Just select “Reconnect when the VPN connection is lost.” Feeling extra secure? Choose “Use default gateway on remote network” to ensure all your NAS traffic travels through the encrypted NordVPN tunnel.
4. Once you’re happy with the settings, click “Create” and then “Connect.” Your Synology should be shaking hands with the NordVPN server in no time!
Feeling paranoid? (Just kidding, it’s good to be careful!) Let’s double-check everything is working smoothly. We can use a simple command to see your external IP address. SSH into your device (we’ll cover SSH in another post if you’re unfamiliar) and run this command: curl https://ipinfo.io/ip. If everything is connected properly, the IP address displayed should be from the NordVPN server, not your personal one.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully secured your Synology NAS traffic with the power of NordVPN. Now you can relax, knowing your data is safe and sound.
Conclusion
By following these steps and keeping your NordVPN subscription active, you can ensure your Synology NAS and the data it stores are always shielded by a secure and encrypted VPN tunnel. Now you can freely manage your files and browse the web with the peace of mind that comes with top-notch online security.
