5 Best VPN Services for Synology

The Buyer’s Guide

About Synology NAS

Synology Inc.’s NAS (Network Attached Storage) devices are probably familiar to you if you’ve been using storage devices for a while [1]. They offer a wide variety of features and their devices come in all shapes and sizes. You can use them for personal storage, as a home media server, or even to set up your VPN (Virtual Private Network).

While most people are familiar with the idea of using a VPN to protect their data from prying eyes, not everyone knows that you can use a Synology NAS to do this.

Synology Inc. is located in Taipei, Taiwan and they focus on creating a storage device that can be used for work or personal documents and files. This device will keep your information safe while also allowing you to share photos, videos, music, and more with others. If you’re looking for a reliable and affordable storage device, Synology NAS is worth considering.

What Is Synology Router VPN?

A Synology Router VPN is a type of virtual private network that allows you to securely connect to your Synology router and access its features and settings. A VPN can be used to protect your privacy and security when using the internet, and it can also be used to bypass geo-restrictions and censorship.

What Is A Synology VPN Client?

A VPN Access License is a one-time purchase that permits one active user account on Synology SSL VPN, WebVPN, and SSTP. It’s permanently valid once activated. A free license is provided with every Synology product that supports VPN Plus. To obtain additional concurrent user accounts at no extra cost, simply sign in to Synology Router Manager (SRM) as an administrator to activate additional free licenses.

If you assign permissions to more user accounts than there are licenses, the system will still allow access on a first-come, first-served basis. However, when the license quota is reached, no more accounts can be given access until other accounts have logged out of all Synology SSL VPNs, WebVPNs, and SSTPs.

After a user account is linked to VPN Plus and starts using any of the three VPN services, it can use any of the other features on the same or different devices at once without additional licenses.

For each product supporting VPN Plus, please refer to the specifications for a maximum number of concurrent connections. Client VPN access licenses from Free VPN Plus can’t be transferred to another Synology device [2].

Why Should You Use A VPN For Synology?

Synology has been a game-changer when it comes to secure file sharing and storage for both commercial and personal users. However, while your data is moving across the network, it is susceptible to hacking and interception. As a result, you’ll need a VPN on Synology.

Synology offers some protection, but you are still in danger while transferring files, especially on unsecured networks. Hackers can use packet sniffers to intercept data while it is being transferred and gain access to all of your important documents.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts all incoming and outgoing traffic through a VPN tunnel using 256-bit AES encryption, making it nearly unhackable. This implies that third parties will not be able to snoop on your data, even if they do manage to breach the encryption.

Furthermore, a VPN re-routes your traffic through its servers, making it impossible for hackers to see your true IP address. This way, you are safe from targeted cyberattacks [3].

How Does Using VPNs Improve Your NAS Experience?

When you set up a VPN on your Synology NAS, it encrypts all of the data that is sent between your device and the internet. This means that anyone who tries to intercept your traffic will only be able to see gibberish. This is incredibly important for keeping your data safe, as it makes it much more difficult for hackers and other malicious actors to steal your information.

In addition to improved security, using a VPN can also improve your overall NAS experience. For example, if you connect to a server in a different country, you may be able to bypass geo-restrictions and access content that would otherwise be unavailable. Additionally, VPNs can help reduce lag when gaming or streaming by routing traffic through a faster server.

Installing a VPN on your Synology NAS may prevent hackers from seeing your true IP address and instead show only your VPN IP address [4].

Main Features For Picking VPN Services For Synology

Fast Servers

A quality VPN will have many server locations to choose from, with each location having multiple servers to further increase speeds. A fast connection is important when streaming video or accessing large files.

Additionally, a good VPN service for Synology should have servers in many different countries so you can access geo-blocked content. For example, if you want to watch US Netflix from abroad, you’ll need a VPN with servers in the United States.

Finally, the best VPNs for Synology will have fast servers so you can stream video and download files without any issues.

Advanced Encryption

When it comes to security, you can never be too careful. That’s why the best VPNs for Synology offer advanced encryption, which will keep your data safe from prying eyes. Encryption is especially important if you’re using public Wi-Fi, as this is one of the easiest ways for hackers to gain access to your data. A good VPN will encrypt your data so even if a hacker does manage to get hold of it, they won’t be able to read it.

Kill Switch

A kill switch is an important security feature that all the best VPNs for Synology offers. This fail-safe will prevent your data from being exposed if the VPN connection drops for any reason. Without a kill switch, your IP address would be visible to anyone on the same network as you, which could lead to identity theft or other problems. A good VPN service will have a kill switch so you can rest assured that your data is always safe.

Zero-Log Policy

This means that the VPN provider does not keep any logs of your online activity. This is important because it means that even if someone did manage to get hold of your data, they wouldn’t be able to trace it back to you. A zero-log policy is essential for anyone who wants to keep their online activity private and secure.

Tight Security

A Virtual Private Network, or VPN, can create a secure connection between two networked devices over the internet. This is done by creating an encrypted “tunnel” between the two devices. By using a VPN, you can ensure that your data remains private and secure when you’re connected to the internet.

Good Value For Money

There are a number of VPN services available, and they vary in terms of price and features. Price is the most important thing to consider. A good VPN service should offer a variety of pricing options to suit different budgets. However, you don’t necessarily have to spend a lot of money to get a good VPN service. There are a number of affordable VPN services that offer good value for money.

Easy To Use

Because Synology does not support native VPN apps, you must install a VPN on your Synology device to secure it. For this reason, the best option is to choose a VPN that can easily be installed on devices without native app support.

Privacy Protection

When you use a VPN, your internet traffic is routed through an encrypted tunnel. This means that your data is protected from snoopers and hackers. In addition, a good VPN service will have a strict no-logging policy, which means that your online activity will remain private.

Unrestricted Web Access

A good VPN service will allow you to access the internet freely and securely. It should also provide a fast and reliable connection [5].

Simultaneous Use On Multiple Devices

If you have multiple devices, you’ll want to choose a VPN service that offers simultaneous use on multiple devices. This way, you can protect all of your devices with one account.

A Virtual Private Network, or VPN, is a great way to keep your data safe and secure when you’re connected to the internet.

There are a number of things to look for when choosing a VPN service, such as price, features, ease of use, privacy protection, and unrestricted web access.

Should You Choose A Free VPN Service For Synology

Most Free VPNs Lack Good Security Infrastructure

Free VPNs are often very attractive because they don’t seem to cost anything. However, the old saying goes that “you get what you pay for”. This is very true when it comes to free VPNs. Most free VPN providers cannot provide the same level of security and privacy as paid VPNs.

This is because they lack the financial resources to invest in proper security infrastructure. Furthermore, free VPN providers are also more likely to have shady business practices and may even sell your data to third parties.

If you’re serious about protecting your Synology device, you should avoid free VPNs at all costs. Instead, you should opt for a paid VPN service that can offer you robust security and privacy features.

Most Free VPNs Don’t Keep Your Activities Private

Many free VPN providers collect and sell user data to third-party advertisers. This means that your online activities are not as private as you might think.

In addition, some free VPN providers also inject tracking cookies into your web browser in order to collect information about your online activities. This information can be used for targeted advertising or even sold to government agencies.

Paid VPN services, on the other hand, usually have strict no-logging policies in place. This means that your online activities will remain private and will not be sold to third parties.

Most Free VPNs Do Not Have Enough Servers

Free VPN providers often have a limited number of servers, which can lead to slow speeds and congested networks. This is because they cannot afford to invest in more servers.

Paid VPN services, on the other hand, usually have a large network of servers that can offer you fast speeds and reliable connections.

Free VPN Servers Are Not Optimized For Speed

Since free VPN providers have a limited number of servers, these servers are usually overloaded and congested. This can lead to slow speeds and unreliable connections.

Paid VPN services, on the other hand, often have servers that are optimized for speed. This means that you can enjoy fast and reliable connections with a paid VPN service.

As you can see, there are many reasons why you should avoid free VPNs. If you’re serious about protecting your Synology device, you should opt for a paid VPN service that can offer you robust security and privacy features. Paid VPN services also tend to have faster speeds and more reliable connections than free VPNs.

Most Free VPNs Do Not Have Reliable Customer Support Platforms

Free VPN providers often have very limited customer support options. This is because they cannot afford to invest in a robust customer support infrastructure.

Paid VPN services, on the other hand, usually have a large team of customer support representatives that can help you with any issues that you may encounter.

Most Free VPNs Don’t Allow You To Use The VPN Services On More Than One Device At A Time

Free VPN providers often limit the number of devices that you can use with their service. This is because they cannot afford to invest in the infrastructure needed to support a large number of users.

Paid VPN services, on the other hand, usually allow you to use their service on multiple devices at the same time. This means that you can protect all of your devices with a single paid VPN subscription.

How To Install A VPN On Synology

OpenVPN

If you want to set up OpenVPN on your Synology, the process is quite simple. You’ll first need to download the OpenVPN app from the package center. Once that’s installed, open it up and click “Create”. From there, you’ll be given a few options for configuring your new VPN connection.

One of the most important things to do when setting up a new VPN is to choose a strong password for your authentication.

Once you’ve got your password and authentication set up, the next step is to choose which server you’d like to connect to. If you’re not sure which one to pick, just contact your VPN’s customer support and they should be able to point you in the right direction.

Once you’ve chosen a server, click “Connect” and enter your username and password when prompted.

PPTP

• To finish downloading the PPTP configuration files, visit your VPN provider’s website, sign into your account, and select your current country as the location for the file download;
• Turn off IPv6. On your Synology device, go to the control panel and select “LAN” under “Network Interface”. Then, modify it by selecting “Edit”, then pick “IPv6” and choose “Off” before restarting your Synology device;
• Create a Synology VPN profile. Under “Network” in the Synology control panel, go to the “Network Interfaces” page. Then, click “Create”, choose “Create VPN profile”, and pick “PPTP” from the drop-down menu [6];
• To finish setting up your VPN, you will need to fill in the required boxes with your specific information. The advanced settings are “MS-CHAP v2” for authentication and “Maximum MPPE (128 bit)” for encryption, but these may differ depending on your provider;
• Before applying your profile, make sure to check the boxes “Use Default Gateway on Remote Network” and “Reconnect When VPN Connection Is Lost”, as with OpenVPN. Apply the settings. Before clicking “Apply”, check the boxes “Use default gateway on remote network” and “Reconnect when the VPN connection is lost”. Connect to a server. Select your PPTP profile and click “Connect”;

FAQ

Does Synology have a VPN client?

Yes, Synology has a VPN client that can be used to connect to a wide variety of VPN servers. This client has included the Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM) software.

To use the VPN client, you will need to first set up a VPN server. There are many different ways to do this, but we will focus on two of the most popular: PPTP and OpenVPN.

Once you have set up your VPN server, you can then use the Synology DSM software to connect to it. The process is fairly straightforward and should only take a few minutes to complete.

Once you are connected to your VPN server, all of your traffic will be encrypted and routed through the server.

Does Synology router support VPN?

Yes, Synology routers support VPN and can be easily configured to work with a VPN service. However, not all VPN services are created equal and some may not be compatible with your Synology router. In this guide, we will show you the best VPN services for Synology and how to configure them.

How do I access Synology NAS remotely with VPN?

If you want to remotely access your Synology NAS device outside of your local network, then you’ll need to set up a VPN. By doing so, you can connect to your NAS over the internet as if you were on your local network. Once you have your VPN set up, be sure to configure your firewall and router settings properly. This will ensure that only authorized devices can connect to your NAS.

How do I use NordVPN with Synology NAS?

If you’re looking for a VPN service that works well with Synology NAS, then NordVPN is a good option. NordVPN offers both LTP and PPTP protocols, which are compatible with most Synology NAS devices. You can set up NordVPN on your Synology NAS by following the instructions in their Knowledge Base [7].

How do I use ExpressVPN on Synology NAS?

You’ll need to set up a static route on your router in order to connect to your NAS over the VPN. Be sure to configure your firewall and router settings properly. This will ensure that only authorized devices can connect to your NAS.

What port does Synology VPN use?

The Synology VPN uses ports 500 for LTP and 1723 for PPTP. When configuring your router, you’ll need to forward these ports to your NAS.

Once you have your VPN set up and running, you can access your Synology NAS from anywhere in the world. Just be sure to keep your data safe and secure by using a reputable VPN service.

Synology NAS is a great way to keep your data safe and secure. But if you want to remotely access your NAS outside of your local network, then you’ll need to set up a VPN.

How do I access Synology NAS from outside the network?

If you want to access your Synology NAS from outside your home or office network, you’ll need to set up port forwarding. Port forwarding allows traffic from the Internet to be routed directly to your NAS, bypassing any firewall rules that might block it.

To set up port forwarding, you’ll need to know the IP address of your NAS as well as the specific port number that you want to forward traffic to. You can find this information in the Network tab of the DSM Control Panel.

How do I access files from Synology NAS outside the local network?

If you want to access files from your Synology NAS outside the local network, you’ll need to set up a VPN. A VPN will allow you to connect to your Synology NAS over the internet as if you were on the same local network. This means you can access your files from anywhere in the world, as long as you have an internet connection.

There are a few different ways to set up a VPN for Synology, but we recommend using a service like ExpressVPN or NordVPN. Both of these services offer easy-to-use apps for all popular platforms, and they’re both very reliable and fast. Plus, they’re both backed by strong security features that will keep your data safe and secure.

How do I access NAS from outside the network?

Synology has one of the most comprehensive mobile app catalogs out of any vendor, which makes it simple to remotely work with your Synology NAS and access your files from anywhere. The DSM OS features QuickConnect, which facilitates this interaction between the apps and your NAS [8].

You can access your Synology NAS from a web browser session using QuickConnect.

You may build your own solution for remote access by utilizing a VPN connection if you don’t want to use a vendor-specific solution like Synology’s QuickConnect feature. A VPN connection essentially hides your device from the Internet, putting it on your home network so that you can access internal resources as though you were on your own network.

Having a NAS means you have to set up the connection on any device that will access it. If you have multiple devices, this can become difficult to manage and keep track of. Additionally, VPNs are not always secure.

You should consider all the pros and cons before choosing which type of access to grant your home network. For some, it might be best to use the vendor solutions available, like Synology.

Which is better – OpenVPN or PPTP?

There are two main types of VPN protocols – OpenVPN and PPTP. OpenVPN is more secure and thus recommended if you are looking for a reliable Synology VPN service. However, it is not as fast as PPTP. If speed is your main concern, then you can go with PPTP.

How do I enable Synology Remote Access?

To enable Synology Remote Access, you need to follow these steps:

• Go to DSM Control Panel > Security > Certificate and click on “Create a new certificate”;
• Type in a name for your certificate and click “OK”;
• Select the country, state/province, and city for your location and click “Next”;
• Enter the organization name and email address for your Synology VPN service and click “OK”;
• Click on “Apply” to save the changes. Now your Synology NAS is ready to use a VPN;

How secure is Synology QuickConnect?

QuickConnect is a proprietary utility that allows data transfers over the internet via HTTPS. SSL must be enabled for the secure transmission of data. You can rest confident in QuickConnect because the data that travels between you and your recipient is only visible to them [9].

What is Synology WebDAV?

WebDAV is an extension of the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTPS) that allows users to create, change, and move content on a remote server. It’s commonly used to share files between computers and servers.

When it comes to choosing a VPN for your Synology device, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• First, make sure that the VPN supports Synology devices;
• Second, check to see if the VPN has servers in the countries where you plan to use it;
• Finally, consider the security and privacy features offered by each VPN;

Can I use Synology as cloud storage?

Yes, you can use Synology as cloud storage. You can connect your Synology NAS to the internet and access it from anywhere in the world. However, we recommend that you use a VPN service to keep your data safe and secure. A VPN will encrypt your data and protect it from hackers. There are many VPN services available, but we recommend NordVPN or ExpressVPN.

Does Synology offer DDNS?

DDNS lets you utilize a domain name – for example, www.john.synology.me – to access your Synology NAS instead of having to remember an IP address like 172.16.254.1. Simplifying the connection to your Synology NAS makes it much easier to connect over the internet [10].

What is the external IP address of my Synology NAS?

To find your Synology NAS’s external IP address:

• Open the Control Panel and go to External Access > DDNS;
• The IP address is displayed in the WAN section;

ExpressVPN offers a comprehensive set of features, great speeds, strong security, and easy-to-use apps for all devices. NordVPN is another excellent choice with strong security and a large network of servers. Both VPNs offer a free trial so you can try them before you commit to a subscription.

Useful Video: Connect your Synology to a VPN Service using OpenVPN

Final thoughts

If you are looking for an extra layer of security for your Synology device, a VPN is the perfect solution. By encrypting your connection and preventing others from accessing your data, you can keep your information safe and secure. We have shown you how to set up a VPN on your Synology device and highlighted some of the best providers out there. Choose one of these services and rest easy knowing that your data is protected.

References:

1. https://cofes.com/synology-vpn/
2. https://www.synology.com/en-global/products/Client_VPN_Access_License
3. https://www.vpnranks.com/best-vpn/synology/
4. https://cofes.com/synology-vpn/
5. https://www.vpnmentor.com/blog/best-vpns-for-synology/
6. https://www.vpnmentor.com/blog/best-vpns-for-synology/
7. https://support.nordvpn.com/FAQ/
8. https://www.virtualizationhowto.com/2022/02/how-to-access-your-nas-from-anywhere/
9. https://techguidecentral.com/is-synologys-quickconnect-secure-solved
10. https://kb.synology.com/en-global/DSM/help/DSM/AdminCenter/connection_ddns?version=7