NAS Storage Security Tips | Learn the Most Secure NAS Tips & Tips to Secure NAS Drive

There are many benefits of using a network-attached storage (NAS) device. However, care must be taken and security of the system is upmost importance. You risk to lose your data and becoming a victim of ransomware if you are careless.

Before you learn how to protect NAS against ransomware, learn how hackers gain access

Here are a few methods how hackers can gain access to your NAS device without you even knowing. Hackers can use a variety of techniques to hack into a network-attached storage (NAS) system. Some common methods used by hackers to attack NAS systems include:

• Brute force attacks: In a brute force attack, a hacker uses a program to try multiple combinations of passwords and login credentials in an attempt to guess the correct combination and gain access to the system.
• Malware: Hackers can use malware, such as viruses, worms, or ransomware, to infect a NAS system and gain unauthorized access to the system or the data stored on it.
• Remote exploits: Hackers can use vulnerabilities in the network or in the NAS system itself to gain remote access to the system and take control of it.
• Physical access: If a hacker has physical access to a NAS system, they can potentially bypass security measures and gain access to the system or the data stored on it.
• Social engineering: Hackers can use social engineering techniques, such as phishing scams or pretexting, to trick users into revealing their login credentials or other sensitive information.
• Dictionary attacks: In a dictionary attack, a hacker uses a program to try commonly used words or phrases as passwords in an attempt to guess the correct password and gain access to the system.
• Man-in-the-middle attacks: In a man-in-the-middle attack, a hacker intercepts communication between a user and a NAS system, allowing them to gain access to the system or the data being transmitted.
• Denial of service attacks: Hackers can use a denial of service (DoS) attack to overwhelm a NAS system with traffic, causing it to crash or become inaccessible to users.

It is very important to be aware of the common techniques hackers use so that you can better prepare yourself to secure your NAS.

NAS Security – How to protect NAS from ransomware

To protect your NAS from hackers, here are some of the few steps you can take.

• Use strong passwords: Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts associated with your NAS system, and avoid using common words or phrases that could be easily guessed by a hacker.
• Keep your system up to date: Regularly update the software and firmware on your NAS system to ensure that it has the latest security patches and fixes.
• Use a firewall: Use a firewall to protect your NAS system from unauthorized access and to block suspicious traffic from reaching your system.
• Enable encryption: Enable encryption on your NAS system to protect your data from being accessed by unauthorized users, even if they gain access to the system.
• Limit access: Limit access to your NAS system to only authorized users, and restrict access to specific files or folders based on users’ roles and permissions.
• Monitor activity: Monitor the activity on your NAS system, such as logins and file access, and be on the lookout for any suspicious or unusual activity.
• Use a VPN: Use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet connection and protect your NAS system from being accessed by unauthorized users over the internet.
• Enable two-factor authentication: Enable two-factor authentication for all accounts associated with your NAS system to provide an extra layer of security and prevent unauthorized access.
• Use secure protocols: Use secure protocols, such as HTTPS or SFTP, when accessing your NAS system over the internet to protect your data from being intercepted by hackers.
• Back up your data: Regularly back up your data to a separate location, such as an external hard drive or a cloud storage service, to protect your data in case your NAS system is hacked or becomes inaccessible.
• Use a secure network: Use a secure and password-protected network for your NAS system to prevent unauthorized users from accessing your system over the network.
• Regularly review security settings: Regularly review the security settings on your NAS system, such as password policies and access controls, and make any necessary changes to improve security.
• Use a dedicated NAS system: Use a dedicated NAS system for storing and accessing your data, rather than using a general-purpose computer or server. This can help reduce the risk of your data being compromised by other security vulnerabilities on the system.