NAS Data Security - How to Encrypt NAS
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22 June 2018 Senior Program Developer
Summary
You want to build your own NAS server and want to improve its data security? We can encrypt the shared folders in NAS directly. Or we can add password to the shared files and folders. Besides, we can encrypt them before uploading to NAS server. Let go for more about how to improve data security in NAS server.
Introduction of NAS
NAS, shorts for Network Attached Storage, is a data storage device which is connected to network. It is adopted in professional area because it can help users to share files via NAS with others in a faster and more convenience way. Theoretically, any devices connect on the same network can access any files saved on the network. For personal or home users, Fritz.NAS are more popular than the traditional NAS server. Users can configure USB disk or external disk to Fritz.NAS as network drive to share files. However, users can not connect more than 1 disk. Besides, data will be lost or corrupted once out of power. So, we do not recommend users to try Fritz.NAS. If users have an old computer, users can build up a simple NAS server. Windows Server is different from Windows 10 or Windows 8, the operation logic is similar which can help users master it in a short time. For users who connect multiple devices, such as mobile phones, PC, tablet, notebook or smart TV to a same network and want all these devices can access to some files quickly, NAS is one of the best choices to be the centralized storage device.
NAS Server
Fritz!box
PC
How to Secure Data in NAS Server
Because any devices which connects to your network can get access to files saved in NAS, it is hard to secure the sharing files in NAS or prevent from privacy leak. Although users can encrypt disk in NAS server, it is very difficult to encrypt or add password to single files or folders. Some users may encrypt files or folders with compression software like WINRAR and 7ZIP. Honestly, files or folders encrypted with these compression software are easy to be cracked. (Please click here to get more about how to crack the password protected compressed files.) Is there any other easy but safe methods to secure data inside NAS server? Here we recommend you to try the following two simple methods: If you want to lock folders in NAS server, method 1 can help you. If you want to encrypt file(s) or folder(s) in NAS, method 2 would be better.
Method 1: Method 1: Lock Folders in NAS Server
Step 1: Download and install Renee File Protector
Step 2: Launch Renee File Protector and enter default password “123456″ and then users can change the password at will.
Step 3: Encrypt target folder in NAS.
- Please select “Lock File” function in “Shared Folder”.
- Renee File Protector will list all the shared folder in NAS. Users can choose one or more folders and then please click “Lock”. User then will be required to set the password for the folder.
If the target folder is not listed, please click button “Lock Folder” on the right side and then enter the path of the folder. Please make sure the folder has been shared on NAS.
Step 4: Change the password of Renee File Protector.
- Go to “Chang Password” item in “Settings”.
- Enter and confirm the new password in related place. Please make sure the password you entered contains 6 characters at least.
Optional: Self-protection Settings
If you have password protect folders or shared folders, we strongly recommend you to set your email address in Renee File Protector. Email will be sent to this email address if anyone try 5 failed logins.
- Select “Change Password” in “Settings“. Then please enter your email address.
- Select “Self Protect” item in “Settings“.
- Enable “Automatically send alarm notifications to email“. Besides, “Your account login will be temporarily banned for 10 minutes” item also available for users to improve the security.
Method 2: Encrypt Files before uploading to NAS Server
Data Security in NAS Server: Encrypt Files
Theoretically, users can encrypt the files before uploading to NAS server. Other users who want to use or run the files you have encrypted, will be promoted to enter the password you set. Of course, users can make this with some compression software such as Winrar or 7zip. Honestly, files protected with these compression software are easily to be cracked. There are so many cracking methods we could find on the Internet.
To get a better data security, we recommend a professional data encryption software - Renee File Protector. No matter the files or folders you want to protect are saved in external disk, local disk or USB disk, you can easily protect them with Renee File Protector. Here we will introduce two most popular encryption formats – GFL and EXE.
Introduction about these two encryption method:
GFL format which relies on Renee File Protector
In fact, GFL format can be regarded to be a container format, which can save files and folders as well as add independent password to protect files. All files/folders encrypted with GFL formats only can be unlock with correct password in computers which have installed Renee File Protector.
EXE – an independent encryption format
Similar with GFL, EXE is a container format as well. Users can also encrypt files and folders in this format. However, the decryption of GFL files need to use Renee File Protector while EXE files do not need.
- Users can save target files/folders in EXE format with Renee File Protector which will encrypt the data and add an independent password. Users then can upload the EXE files to server or share with others. Anyone who know the password can get access to the data inside.
- So far, brute force methods or software which aims to crack data encrypted by Renee File Protector could not be found.
Encrypt Files and Folders in GFL Format
Step 1: Download and install Renee File Protector
Step 2: Run Renee File Protector and then enter the default password.
Users can change the password after loading into Renee File Protector at once.
Step 3: Encrypt files and folders in GFL format.
- Click “Encrypt File” in “Common” item.
- Please click “Add Files” to choose target files if you want to encrypt files with password.
- Please click “Add Folder” to choose target folders if you want to encrypt folders with password.
Step 4: Click “Encrypt to GFL” after choosing data and set the password in the pop up window.
Step 5: Upload the GFL file to NAS server after encrypt.
Step 6: Unlock GFL file.
- Download and install Renee File Protector. Double-click the target GFL file.
- Enter the password you have set to decrypt GFL file.
Encrypt Files and Folders in EXE Format
Step 1: Download and install Renee File Protector
Step 2: Run Renee File Protector and then enter the default password.
Users can change the password after loading into Renee File Protector at once.
Step 3: Encrypt files and folders in EXE format.
- Click “Encrypt File” in “Common” item.
- Please click “Add Files” to choose target files if you want to encrypt files with password.
- Please click “Add Folder” to choose target folders if you want to encrypt folders with password.
Step 4: Click “Encrypt to EXE” after choosing data and set the password in the pop up window.
Step 5: Upload the EXE file to NAS server after encrypt.
Step 6: Unlock EXE file.
- Download and install Renee File Protector. Double-click the target EXE file.
- Enter the password you have set to decrypt EXE file.
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