As businesses increasingly rely on technology, the need for cybersecurity professionals has grown exponentially. With cyber threats becoming more sophisticated, it’s crucial for organizations to have skilled cybersecurity experts who can protect their networks and systems. One way for professionals to showcase their expertise in this field is by earning a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification.
What is CEH Certification?
The CEH certification is a professional certification that validates an individual’s knowledge of network security and hacking methodologies. The certification is provided by the International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (EC-Council) and is globally recognized in the cybersecurity industry.
The Benefits of CEH Certification
High Demand: With the increase in cyber threats, there is a high demand for certified ethical hackers. The certification demonstrates that a professional has the skills and knowledge to protect an organization’s systems and networks.
Competitive Advantage: The CEH certification provides a competitive advantage for cybersecurity professionals over others who may not have the certification. Employers often prefer certified professionals when hiring for cybersecurity roles.
Industry Recognition: The CEH certification is recognized by many organizations, including government agencies and Fortune 500 companies. This recognition can lead to better job opportunities and higher salaries.
Hands-On Training: CEH certification provides hands-on training that allows professionals to understand the latest hacking techniques and countermeasures. This knowledge can help professionals detect and prevent cyber-attacks.
Exam Requirements
To earn the CEH certification, candidates must pass a multiple-choice exam consisting of 125 questions within four hours. The exam covers various topics, including network security, malware analysis, and social engineering.
CEH Certification Renewal
CEH certification is valid for three years, after which professionals must renew their certification by earning continuing education credits or retaking the exam. Renewal ensures that professionals stay up-to-date with the latest cybersecurity techniques and technologies.
Conclusion
CEH certification is valuable for cybersecurity professionals looking to advance their careers. It provides the knowledge and skills to protect organizations from cyber threats and demonstrates a commitment to the field. Employers value certification and often prefer to hire certified professionals. With the demand for cybersecurity professionals on the rise, CEH certification is a step towards a rewarding career in this field.
Are you interested in a career in cybersecurity? Then you may have heard of the CEH certification. This certification is highly sought after by professionals in the field, and for good reason.
In 2005, the US Department of Defense issued a directive requiring anyone who handles US government IT to have baseline IT certifications, including ethical hacking. This is one of the reasons why cybersecurity professionals pursue the CEH certification. It’s not only an industry standard, but it’s also internationally recognized and valid in IT industries across the world.
Having a CEH certification on your résumé is a valuable asset.
It demonstrates that you understand how hackers think, and with the recent rise in hacking incidents, professionals with this certification are in high demand.
So, who should consider obtaining a CEH certification? If you’re a cybersecurity officer in your company, a penetration tester, an internal or external auditor, a security professional, a standard administrator or consultant site administrator, or even just a tech-savvy home user who wants to know how secure their environment is, then this certification may be right for you.
But what does it take to become a CEH? There are standards to maintain, including skills, values, and ethics from the International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (EC-Council) Code of Ethics. You can find more information about these requirements at https://www.eccouncil.org/code-of-ethics. Some of the critical requirements include privacy, disclosure, area of expertise, unauthorized usage, authorization, project management, knowledge sharing, confidence, legal limits, and underground communities.
Let’s look at each of them in detail.
Privacy: Ethical hackers have access to sensitive information like social security numbers, customer databases, and intellectual property. It is their responsibility to protect this information and not use, steal, modify, change, or destroy it.
Disclosure: Ethical hackers may come across unsettling or uncomfortable information or content, but their duty is to report it to authorities or concerned people. They must disclose everything they discover, regardless of how grave or discomforting it may be.
Area of expertise: Ethical hackers should be honest about their level of knowledge, skill sets, and limitations. They should not misrepresent themselves and should ask for an expert’s help if they lack the necessary experience or training.
Unauthorized usage: Ethical hackers should avoid using illegal or unethically obtained software and hardware. They should also not accept bribes or join in for personal gain if they uncover evidence of unauthorized usage in a company.
Authorization: Ethical hackers must use resources, data, and information in authorized ways. They should let the company know how they intend to use the data and ensure they get consent where necessary.
Disclosure: Ethical hackers should verify with or notify the hardware manufacturer when they discover an issue in hardware or software before going public. If the manufacturer does nothing, they should blow the whistle to save users and share the solution if possible.
Project management: Ethical hackers need to have great management skills to be efficient and manage their projects effectively. They should set clear goals, have a reasonable project timeline, and communicate effectively.
Knowledge sharing: Ethical hackers commit to learning, keeping up with new developments, and creating public awareness by teaching or giving free lectures, spreading information on social media platforms, and enlightening the people they know about securing hardware and software.
Confidence: Ethical hackers should always present themselves in a professional, honest, and competent manner, even when competing with someone else for a project. They should be experienced with any software, tricks, or tools they utilize against a network and not fix issues outside the scope of their project.
Legal limits: Ethical hackers should only accept approved, authorized, and legal projects and follow the code of ethics in making decisions.
Underground communities: Ethical hackers should not engage in black-hat activities or associate with communities of black-hat hackers. They should not aid or help black-hat hackers advance their mission and only engage them to learn what’s new, what they know, what they do, and how they think.
In recent weeks, both Twitter and Facebook have made headlines for laying off a significant number of employees. An estimated 7500 employees were laid off at Twitter and it’s been reported that Meta (Facebook’s parent company) laid off more than 11,000. While these layoffs are undoubtedly having an impact on the companies themselves, they also raise important questions about what they could mean for the users of these social media platforms. Quite frankly, I’m shocked this isn’t one of the main takeaways from all of this. Let’s take a closer look at the potential implications of these layoffs.
Less Money for Innovation And Expansion
One of the most immediate impacts of these layoffs is that there will be less money available for innovation on Twitter and Facebook. This is because, when a company lays off employees, it is also losing its collective knowledge and expertise. In a lot of cases, these budgets get cut along with the workforce. For example, when Facebook laid off its team of Trending Topics curators, it lost a wealth of experience and knowledge about what topics are being talked about online. As a result, the company has been forced to rely more heavily on algorithms to surface Trending Topics, with mixed results.
In addition, with fewer employees working on a given project, there is less capacity for trial and error. This means that we can expect to see fewer new features being rolled out across all social media platforms in the coming months. So if you’re waiting for that new Facebook update or that new Twitter tool, you may have to wait a little longer than usual.
Fewer Customer Service Resources
Another potential impact of the social media layoffs is that there may be fewer customer service resources available to users. This is because, when companies lay off employees, they often do so in areas where they feel they can save the most money. And customer service is typically one of those areas. If you’ve noticed that it’s taking a bit longer to get a response from Twitter or Facebook when you report a problem, this is likely why.
An Increase In Social Media Scams
Hackers are opportunists (the good kind and bad). There are already numerous social media scams hitting every social media platform out there. I highly suspect that social media scams attacking Facebook and Twitter users will ramp up in the coming weeks.
Yes, many of these layoffs have been those in roles of management (at least with Twitter). But we don’t know the entire scope of which departments and job titles were impacted. These companies are going to hesitate to release a detailed itemized sheet of what people and departments were affected the most. Regardless, your personal data being stored on any of these social media companies’ servers could be at risk. Heck…they’re always at risk when budgets are endless and companies do have all the resources. So what should you do?
Quick + Effective Ways To Protect Your Social Media Accounts
Enable 2FA Where Possible
Two-factor authentication (2FA), a sort of multi-factor authentication (MFA), is a security procedure that cross-verifies people using two separate types of identity. This type of added security feature will help you get that extra layer of protection in addition to putting in your password. In my opinion, if ANY platform, app, website, etc. will allow you to enable 2FA…YOU DO IT. The good news is both Facebook and Twitter have the option to enable two-factor authentication. Is it annoying to use at times? I’d be lying if I said “No.” But considering how much personal information and data these social media servers have on you…it would be very wise to enable 2FA.
You’d be surprised how some people never change their passwords. You’d be even more surprised by the number of people that have dumb passwords that can easily be hacked. I’ve detailed exactly how you can make your passwords strong and more secure.
This one is especially useful for those who have multiple users who access social media accounts. One thing I despise about Facebook is how you have to have a personal account to run ads. I’ve seen some ad management accounts with half a dozen people tied to them. Each one of these is a potential entry point and cyber security risk. If you have ANY social media account (business branded or personal) where more than one person accesses it, I would get LastPass Password Manager right now to help with password management. We have an entire beginner’s guide to LastPass if you want to dive into the details.
The layoffs at Twitter and Facebook are undoubtedly having an impact on the companies and their users. With fewer resources available for innovation and customer service, users can expect to see fewer new features and may have difficulty getting help when they need it. However, it’s important to remember that social media platforms are still incredibly popular and widely used despite these challenges. While the layoffs may be having an impact in the short term, it’s unlikely that they will have a significant long-term effect on either company’s bottom line.
Developers designed VPNs for personal use, but with technological advancements, VPNs now act as a shield to protect users from malicious content over the Internet. Businesses also opt for VPNs to provide additional security features like user management and blacklisting websites.
With the right business VPN, you can access foreign markets, secure your employees’ use of public Wi-Fi networks, and securely link remote workers to your most valuable business assets. A business VPN encrypts all of your internet traffic and data. Even if a hacker intercepts your data, they won’t be able to read it.
Plus, dedicated business VPNs deliver static IPs, restricting your data access to just one IP address. Check out our favorite picks below!
Choosing A VPN For Your Business
If you’re looking for the best VPN for your business, you’ve come to the right place. Before we get to the best VPNs for business, I want to briefly walk you through everything you need to know about choosing a VPN, from the basics of how they work to the features you should look for. By the end, you’ll have all the information you need to make an informed decision about which VPN is right for your business.
Choosing a VPN can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. With a little knowledge and guidance, you can easily find the best VPN for your business.
How Do VPNs Work
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a way of extending a private network across the internet. When you connect to a VPN, your device will appear as if it’s on the same local network as the VPN server. This means you’ll be able to access all of your usual network resources, even if you’re in a different location. By encrypting your traffic and hiding your IP address, a VPN can also help to improve your online privacy and security.
There are many different ways how VPNs work, but most operate using a similar set of principles. First, you’ll need to sign up for a VPN service (we’ve got our picks below). Once you’ve done this, you’ll be able to download and install their VPN software on your device. Once the software is installed, simply launch it and connect to one of the VPN servers. Your traffic will now be encrypted and routed through the VPN, providing you with a secure and private connection. And yes…it really is that simple.
If you’re looking for a VPN for business, there are a few key features to look for. First, you’ll want a VPN that’s fast and reliable. After all, nothing is more frustrating than trying to work remotely only to find that your VPN is slow and keeps disconnecting. Second, you’ll want a VPN that offers robust security features. Security should be one of the highest features you prioritize when choosing a business VPN. You’ll be trusting your business data to the VPN, so you’ll want to make sure it’s well-protected. Finally, you’ll want a VPN that’s easy to use and set up. As a successful business owner or manager, time is valuable. You don’t want to spend hours messing around with settings just to get the VPN up and running. Luckily, there are plenty of great business VPNs out there that offer all of these features and more. So…what are my picks for some of the best VPNs for business?
Perimeter 81: A Premium Business VPN
The Perimeter 81 business VPN offers specialist services for businesses. It enables businesses to deploy private VPN servers that their staff can securely access from anywhere. What does that mean for your employees? Employees will be able to securely access files, apps, and other resources from remote locations.
Perimeter 81 uses AES 256-bit encryption for all communication through their VPN. Those who don’t want to deploy their VPN service can choose from 700 public servers located in 36 locations worldwide. The VPN can be monitored by businesses by logging and inspecting all the traffic that passes through it. What are some of the business reasons to consider Perimeter 81:
Business-oriented
You can set up your own server or use public ones
Supports site-to-site VPNs
You can host apps and files on the VPN server
Secure encryption
Enables network segmentation (which you will need if you have some team members who need more from your network)
Perimeter 81 offers a premium service at a premium price, making it the most expensive service provider. Therefore, You should consider the number of devices while getting a subscription. With that said, Perimeter 81 is a solid business VPN and probably one of the best on the market.
Nord Teams: Business VPN For Small And Medium Businesses
NordVPN’s business-focused service Nord Teams is designed for small to medium businesses. You can access the office network and the internet securely via remote access. A centralized admin panel allows users to manage all accounts from one location and tunnel their work devices through 33 countries. IT managers can add users easily without complicating billing. That’s a feature we love. Less hassle doing things and making life easier for us IT geeks.
The third-party authentication option works with Microsoft Azure, OneLogin, and GSuite. Our iPhone and Android apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. A kill switch and strong encryption protect your organization’s data. Additionally, support requests can be delivered within three hours by Nord Teams. Reasons to consider Nord Teams:
Connectivity that is fast and reliable
Secure encryption with 256-bit military-grade
Strict no-logs policy ideal for privacy-conscious users
Unlimited bandwidth with no data caps
Compatible with Windows, Mac OS, iOS, Linux, and Android
If you consider Nord Teams, you should note that the desktop app is a bit technical for general users and requires some time to use correctly. Therefore, your IT manager might have to debrief staff on how to use it.
If you’re a business that wants encrypted email, a VPN connection, and a dedicated IP address in a single package, TorGuard is what you need. It’s one of the few VPNs for businesses that provides everything your business will need. The cheapest package includes five user accounts, five encrypted email addresses, and a dedicated IP address so that you can get started right away. Your company can be up and running with this business VPN in no time.
AES-256 encryption secures your connection with this security-focused VPN. TorGuard also offers a stealth VPN option that further obfuscates your VPN connection, making it appear as regular internet traffic.
Additionally, TorGuard provides custom server setups and a dedicated account manager who monitors your account 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It’s like having an employee without having to pay for that employee. Every plan includes TorGuard’s extensive network of servers and apps running on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. Here are some business-related reasons to opt-in for TorGuard:
Obfuscation of a VPN for stealth
Email addresses are encrypted
It bundles IP addresses
While finalizing TorGuard, you need to keep in mind that it does not support split tunneling and the business VPN option is only available when you subscribe to a bundle.
Twingate is a new VPN company with some exciting features that make it stand out from the rest. Twingate is a cloud-based VPN service that offers zero-trust access control and makes gateways invisible to the Internet, unlike traditional VPN solutions. The service can be deployed and scaled with no changes to network infrastructure.
Twingate supports single sign-on (SSO) so that staff can only access resources designated by IT admins. That includes on-premises, cloud, and remote apps and networks. With the help of split tunneling, you can tunnel traffic when necessary, while bandwidth-intensive tasks like video calls are routed directly through the network. You should consider Twingate if you are looking for:
Access control based on zero-trust
Supports most major single sign-on (SSO) providers
ExpressVPN may be the fastest VPN on the market, according to industry tests that consistently show it only slows down connections by an unnoticeable amount. However, there are a few more variables to consider. Let’s start with ExpressVPN’s 3,000+ servers in 160 locations across 94 countries. This is critical to performance since the closer your company is to the VPN server, the faster your internet connection will be. ExpressVPN also includes Smart Location technology, which selects the finest VPN server location for you depending on download speed, latency, and distance. But there’s more to a business VPN than just speed. One of the most important factors is security, and ExpressVPN has that covered, too. It uses 256-bit AES encryption with 2048-bit keys, which is as good as it gets. Additionally, ExpressVPN keeps no logs of user activity or IP addresses, so your anonymity is guaranteed. This claim is verified but yearly audits from 3rd party companies.
If you’re looking for a business VPN that’s both fast and secure, ExpressVPN is a great option.
>>Get ExpressVPN Here<<
Do You Really Need a VPN For Business? (H2)
If you’re running a business, then the answer is yes, you need a VPN. A business VPN can give your employees remote access to your company network, making it easier for them to work from home or on the road. It can also help secure your data and keep your confidential information safe from prying eyes. With more and more employees and professionals moving to remote work, business VPNs are almost a must-have at this point. There are a few different types of business VPNs available, so it’s important to choose one that’s right for your company. If you have a small business, then a shared VPN may be sufficient. For larger businesses, however, you’ll need a dedicated server which can be more expensive. No matter what size business you have, though, a business VPN is an essential tool. If you are still unsure about getting a VPN for your business, at the very least get a firewall for your business.
So…which one would we recommend as being the best VPN for business? It’s best to use a corporate VPN for consolidated data. You’ll need a static IP address to keep tabs on your employees’ internet activities. With Perimeter 81, you’re getting more than just a VPN, you’re also getting comprehensive security for your organization. And that’s why it is at the top of our list for one of the most impressive VPNs for business. But…the other VPNs we reviewed are still equally impressive.
We all know what cables are and what they’re used for. But do you know how they can get remote access to your devices? It’s a bit more complicated than just plugging them in…or is it? We dive into OMG cables and discuss how these deceptively dangerous cables can gain access to your devices and cause security headaches for you down the road.
USB cables are a valuable tool to connect your phone to your computer to access your phone’s data on your computer. They’re also used to charge your devices. Most people connect their USB cables to their computers without thinking twice. In fact, more people just buy replacements without even thinking. Even worse, sometimes we just find a random cable and assume everything is fine. However, you need to be very careful while connecting just any random USB cable with your computer from now on. Here’s why…
A Little History Lesson On The OMG Cable
A security researcher known as “MG” launched a cable called an “OMG cable,” which can access your data remotely when connected to your computer. This cable hacks iPhones, iPads, Samsung tablets, Android devices, and computers to give third-party users remote access to all of the sensitive data stored on your device. The OMG cable looks exactly like any other USB cable, but when you plug it into your computer or phone, it lets a potential hacker control your data remotely. For lack of a better term, it’s a rather clever invention. Deceptive with undertones of malintent? Sure.
Potential hackers use this harmful cable to access your data through a smartphone app. It does not even let your computer or smartphone device even recognize that a potential attacker has taken remote access to your computer through OMG cable.
What Is An OMG Cable?
The OMG cable is a new version of a hacking puppet that is hardly different from the genuine cable authorized by Samsung, Android, or Apple. Like any other cable, this cable supports power and is a source of transferring data from your phone to another computer. Essentially, it works and functions the exact same. However, this cable hacks iPhones and Android devices and remotely accesses the data.
It was first introduced in 2019 by MG, a security researcher. He presented this hacking apparatus at a hacker panel and manufactured it in large volumes. Multiple other versions of this malicious OMG cable have been introduced, ranging from lightning cables to USB-A and USB-C used by Samsung, Android, Apple, and other devices.
After the launch of OMG cable, the security researcher presented another hacking tool known as “OMG Keylogger Cable”, which acts as a secret keylogger hacking tool. Hackers use this cable to replace detachable keyboards cables and steal login details and other sensitive information by collecting keystrokes.
A keylogger cable is a device that can be used to secretly record keystrokes. The keylogger cable is inserted for example between a keyboard and the computer. It then records every keystroke that is typed into the keyboard. Keyloggers are often used by criminals in order to steal sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers. However, they can also be used for legitimate purposes, such as monitoring employees or children. I don’t recommend that because there are other more efficient methods out there to monitor employees and children. Keylogger cables are relatively inexpensive and easy to use, making them a popular choice for both criminals and your normal, law-abiding citizens alike.
How Can An OMG Cable Gain Remote Access?
The OMG cable is a typical cable consisting of two connectors and a set of wires protected through insulation. However, one of the connectors of this malicious cable hides a memory chip and Wi-Fi transmitter. The Wi-Fi transmitter is also similar to those present in iPhones, Androids, Samsungs, or other Wi-Fi-enabled gadgets.
When you connect this OMG cable with your device (and it doesn’t matter if it’s mobile or tablet or laptop), the cable creates a Wi-Fi hotspot. Then the hacker can gain remote access to your devices through a smartphone application. Hackers can control your device and run commands through this cable as they are using your devices themselves.
On a more advanced level, this ingenious cable hacks your device and also contains geofencing features that allow hackers to generate the provision of a virus payload in your computer. Cybercriminals take advantage of the prospective target’s location. The cable with keylogging features can log keystrokes from hacked devices and remotely send them to the cybercriminal or hacker.
Strikingly, the OMG cable possesses a unique accessory inside that circumvents USB implantation. This tool eradicates the suggestion or proof that your computer will connect with a tinkered cable. When MG inserted the IP address of the cable that hacks the smartphone in his phone’s browser, he was able to proceed with many options to invade someone’s personal space. Truth be told, it’s not vital to know how an OMG cable works. What should be of concern to you is how to protect yourself and spot one of these.
How To Protect Yourself From An OMG Cable Hack?
The reason people are falling into this cable hack is that the cable is no different from a regular cable you use for your devices. At a superficial, surface-level…you can’t tell a difference. In fact, I bet 99% of cable users wouldn’t know one of these OMG cables possessed the potential to access so much information. A few versions of an OMG cable are identical to the human eye. Here’s how you can escape from this trap that hacks your smartphones and other connected devices.
Critically examine the connection cable before using any. Look for an official MFI badge on the packaging of original cables certified by Apple or your phone’s manufacturer. It also possesses a serial number of 12 digits. Besides carefully examining both connectors of your device’s cable, if you notice any rough edges or an unusual increase in the insulator’s width, you are dealing with an altered or OMG cable that hacks phones. This is another reason why you should only buy from respected and trusted brands. This is also another reason why you should be careful whenever you’re using someone else’s accessories. And it doesn’t matter if you know the person. How do you know they didn’t just randomly find a cable and started using it?
You should regularly check for hacking signs on your phone, tablet, or computer. The signs that support someone hacking your device include sudden spikes in the network activity, unusual pop-ups requesting your login details, the accidental opening of terminals, and seized social media accounts. You should regularly keep track of such suspicious activities. And as an extra precaution, enable two-factor authentication on every account that has this feature.
Best Way To Protect Yourself: Be Smart
The malicious OMG cable is hardly distinguishable from the legit cables certified by Apple, or Samsung, or your devices’ manufacturers and is freely sold on the internet. So it is wise to stay alert to it and always examine your device’s cable critically before purchasing for yourself. If the cable isn’t yours…don’t use it. You should never use any random cable. Even if you’re at a workplace around people you know and trust. Just don’t do it. Furthermore, it might benefit you to invest in some reliable malware protection software.
What Alternatives Should I Buy?
So…what are you supposed to do if your factory-supplied cables go missing or get damaged? As tempting as it is to buy the cheapest alternative on Amazon, I wouldn’t. There are literally thousands of knock-off, generic branded charging cables for Apple and Android devices. In my experience, they are low-quality products that usually last about 2-3 months. Ironically, they usually last just a little bit longer than your Amazon guaranteed date for refunds. If I were to prioritize where to buy a charging cable, I’d buy direct from Apple or Samsung. You’ll pay about the same price as you would on Amazon (but you won’t get free prime shipping). Another viable option is to just go to a mobile carrier store (preferably where you bought from) and get a branded replacement. If those aren’t options and Amazon is your jam, I have the appropriate links for each device brand below.
Best Charging Cord For Android and Samsung Devices
These two are the options I would get if I had an Android or Samsung phone. It’s a USB Type-A to USB Type-C connection. This Samsung USB-C comes in black and is approximately 4 feet long and the other Samsung branded cord I’d recommend comes in white and is 1 meter long.
Best Charging Cord for Apple Devices
Believe it or not, some Apple devices do use a USB Type-C (the newer versions of the iPad Pro). The iPhone still uses a lightning cable (I won’t go on the 2000-word diatribe I could easily whip up on why that annoys me, but I digress…). The two options I would get for Apple devices on Amazon (and remember these are Apple-branded products) are the Apple Lighting USB cable and the Apple USB-C charging cable (for Ipad Pro).
Again, the prices on Amazon are comparable to buying directly from their website. If you don’t mind paying a little in shipping, that’s the route I’d recommend.
Synology is a network-attached storage device that helps you to manage your data profiles. DiskStation continues to provide exceptional solutions and a comprehensive guide for your data managemental problems. And I say problems because our devices and lifestyles just lend themselves to collecting a ton of data. Issues like sharing files, media management, storing important media, and minimizing the cost of backup queries and requests.
Maybe you’ve already dropped coin and got yourself a Synology DiskStation. Maybe you’re still on the fence and need a little nudge or a couple more logical reasons before buying one. Regardless, I’ve compiled a handful of my favorite tips, tricks, and uses of this awesome network-attached storage device.
Connected Remotely To Your NAS
Synology’s QuickConnect service allows you to connect your NAS anywhere with just one click, without having to mess around with port forwarding or setting up a username/password. Plus it works seamlessly in combination with almost all their mobile clients so that when I’m on the go, I have all of my favorite songs and media right at my fingertips! The QuickConnect feature also allows you to use an easy-to-remember (customizable + unique) name. For example, I only have to use dalerocks.quickconnect.me (this link doesn’t work so don’t try using it) to gain access via a web browser. Additionally, with any Synology App when you do the setup (Photos app, Drive app, etc.), you’ll be asked for your QuickConnect name and immediately it finds it and connects.
There are a couple of ways to set up QuickConnect. You can do it during the initial configuration (which I highly recommend) or you can head to your Control Panel and select Quick Connect then General. You will need a Synology account so you can assign an ID to your NAS. From there you’ll be supplied (or you can create your own) with a unique URL to connect to your DiskStation.
NAS Backup
The best way to ensure your data doesn’t get lost is by setting up regular backups. If you don’t spend enough time doing this, then the next thing that will happen could be something as drastic and unexpected as hardware failure or something similar. I’m a big proponent of backing up my devices and use my NAS to do so frequently. In fact, it’s important to know that drives will fail and I even back up my NAS in case something happens.
There’s no better place for storing these vital copies than in an easily accessible location like NAS (Network-Attached Storage). With its high-speed connections and access from just about anywhere, it makes recovery quick & easy should anything go wrong. Backing up your smartphones on Synology is another really powerful hack that can free up a ton of storage on your device. I’ve stopped using Google Photo because of Synology’s Photo app that not only backs up all my family’s phone images almost immediately, but their AI will help to organize your photos based on facial ID, objects, or locations. I love this app!
Virtual Machine Access
The Synology DiskStation allows you to have smooth access to a virtual machine. These virtual machines are significant for the maintenance of different sorts of operating systems over your PC network. Essentially, you can effectively install these virtual machine managers and make them run for efficient data management activity. Furthermore, these VM managers are easily supported by all the versions of windows without any further concern.
What about running Docker containers on Synology NAS? Docker containers are a lightweight alternative for running applications on your Synology NAS. You should know that Synology NAS does have official support for Docker. I think they’re great because they require less memory and system resources. If you don’t have enough memory for a virtual machine, you can run a Docker container. Personally, I use a Docker container to run my CrashPlan backup which gives me unlimited backup space for $10 a month.
Create Your Own Personal Streaming Service
You’ll need the help of Plex on this one. The media streaming service, Plex has been around for quite some time now. It’s powerful and easy-to-use offering an unlimited number of features at no cost! One of my favorite hacks with my Synology Diskstation is connecting it to Plex where I can store virtually all of my media to stream on-demand. And no worries, you don’t have to be a tech wizard to set this up. There is a manual and an automated method for installing Plex Media Server on your Synology NAS. This is one of the best tutorials on how to do that.
Do you want to host a small family website inside your LAN or perhaps create an online journal for the outside world? Most people would need to hunt down reliable web hosting services and pay monthly fees, but all this can be done on Synology NAS servers without any cost at all. I wouldn’t recommend hosting a website if you plan on having a lot of traffic or want to provide a shopping site. But the option to host your own website is there with Synology’s DiskStation.
Leverage Synology’s Mobile Apps
Synology has a ton of mobile apps available for Android and iOS, allowing you to back up data (as we’ve seen above) or stream media. These apps are free of charge (although there are some that require a subscription). There’s DS Video and Video Station for streaming your media to any device. DS Photo and Photo Station allow you to back up all your photo files and immediately access them from a computer or phone.
With photos becoming more of a memory hog on our smartphones (we take more photos + camera phones are better and they require more space), DS Photo is a must-have. The interface and organization are phenomenal as well. If you are into smart home automation and have a home security system with an IP camera, DS Cam and Surveillance Station will allow you to view image and video files from your home security network. You’ll need an extra license for this and a supported IP camera (Synology is compatible with about 7K+ security cameras), but it does work smoothly. Looking for a VPN solution to connect to home while traveling? Synology has you covered
Don’t Have A Synology DiskStation Yet?
If you haven’t figured it out by now, I really love this technology. If I find something new that I can find a use for, I’ll get it. Technology should make our lives easier. They should save us time, save us money, and reduce effort on menial tasks. Do Synology’s NAS devices do that? If you know how to use them, absolutely! I’ve said quite a bit of Synology in this review and will continue to bang that drum for getting one of these amazing storage devices. So if you haven’t gotten one yet…what are you waiting for?
