I keep seeing on this sub that a VPN is the most secure way to use your NAS outside of your home network. I have used NordVPN subscriptions in the past but I don’t like paying a monthly subscription if there’s an alternate way to do a one-and-done type of purchase.
I was wondering if using a Raspberry Pi to create a VPN server using “PiPVN” would accomplish this end-goal. This guy showed how to set it up (not the synology part):
Personally I would configure a VPN to my internet router… rather than punch a hole through the router to access a device inside the network as a vpn endpoint… One of the reasons I run DDWRT firmware on my router. but that’s just me…
I use a RPi 4 with PiVPN (wireguard) and Pihole which integrates with PiVPN, works fine for me. I tried the VPN package on the NAS but in the end I decided to go with separate hardware.
I don’t think external VPN services can give you access to your nas (LAN) unless they somehow punch through your router similar to quickconnect, and I don’t trust any of them (even the paid ones).
Using an externally hosted VPN is for privacy and hosting your own VPN is for security. You want to use the NAS securely from outside your network so you want the latter. As long as you don’t have a J model NAS I would try out the VPN Server software. Also, check if your router has VPN capabilities. Many surprisingly do.
Synology has vpn server package. Nord vpn is irrelevant.
I use the synology vpn server, all other external access being closed.
I have PiVPN and Synology VPN working at different sites I’m involved in. Both work very well. PiVPN is impressively simple to set up and use.
I’m using PiVPN installed on a 3B+, it works great as long as the Pi is wired into your network (as opposed to being on wifi).