If you own a Synology NAS, you understand the importance of safeguarding your important data. Accidental deletions, surprise ransomware attacks, and hidden file corruption can all pose a risk. That's where Synology Snapshots shine.
Think of snapshots as point-in-time backups of your files and folders. They offer a powerful way to rewind your NAS to a previous state, minimizing disruptions and providing peace of mind.
Ready to discover the ins and outs of Synology Snapshots?
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In the modern business landscape, data is more than just a collection of numbers and text—it is the lifeblood of an organization. A reliable, secure, and efficient storage solution becomes paramount as businesses generate a lot of data. Enter the Synology DS923+ NAS—a powerhouse designed to meet the rigorous demands of today’s fast-paced business environment.
The Synology DS923+ is not just another Network Attached Storage (NAS) device; it is a comprehensive solution that acts as the central hub for all your business data. With its robust hardware and versatile software capabilities, it is engineered to streamline data management, enhance collaboration, and secure critical business information.
Published: 2021-12-15 | Last updated: September 2025
Key Takeaway: A properly configured Synology NAS provides comprehensive ransomware protection through automated backups, versioning, and secure offsite replication. When combined with proper security practices, it creates a robust defense system that can restore your entire business within hours of an attack.
Ransomware attacks continue to devastate businesses and home offices worldwide, with attackers increasingly targeting smaller operations that often lack enterprise-grade security measures. While comprehensive security compliance involves multiple layers of protection, your backup strategy remains your ultimate insurance policy against data loss.
A Synology Network Attached Storage (NAS) device offers professional-grade backup capabilities that rival enterprise solutions, making it an ideal foundation for home office and small business ransomware protection. This comprehensive guide covers everything from initial setup through advanced security configurations.
Today's ransomware operates far beyond simple file encryption. Modern variants combine multiple attack vectors to maximize damage and pressure victims into paying ransoms.
Contemporary ransomware groups employ sophisticated strategies that make recovery more complex:
Attackers encrypt critical files and demand payment for decryption keys. This remains the core ransomware threat that most backup strategies address.
Before encryption, attackers exfiltrate sensitive data, threatening public release if ransom demands aren't met. This creates pressure even when backups exist.
Attackers contact your clients directly, leveraging stolen data to create additional pressure points and reputation damage.
Small businesses and home offices present attractive targets because they typically have valuable data but limited security resources. Common vulnerabilities include:
Synology's DiskStation Manager (DSM) operating system transforms a simple storage device into a comprehensive backup and security platform. The combination of hardware reliability and sophisticated software makes it particularly effective against ransomware.
Synology NAS devices excel at implementing the industry-standard 3-2-1 backup strategy, which requires:
| Requirement | Synology Implementation | Ransomware Protection |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Copies of Data | Original + NAS backup + Cloud/Remote copy | Multiple recovery options if any single copy is compromised |
| 2 Different Media Types | Local drives + NAS storage + Cloud storage | Protection against hardware failure and local attacks |
| 1 Offsite Copy | C2 Cloud, remote NAS, or third-party cloud | Ensures recovery even if entire location is compromised |
Proper security configuration transforms your Synology NAS from a simple backup device into a hardened security appliance. These settings are crucial for ransomware protection.
Enable Synology Secure SignIn for all administrative accounts. This prevents unauthorized access even if credentials are compromised during an attack.
Configure automatic account lockouts after failed login attempts. Set reasonable thresholds (5-10 attempts) with escalating lockout periods.
Limit administrative access to specific IP ranges or VPN connections. Disable unnecessary services and ports to reduce attack surface.
Snapshots provide your first line of defense against ransomware encryption. Unlike traditional backups, snapshots capture the exact state of your data at specific points in time.
Critical Setting: Enable “Lock snapshots” to prevent deletion by ransomware with administrative access. Locked snapshots require physical access to the device for removal.
Snapshots use incremental storage, consuming space only for changed data. However, extensive versioning can accumulate significant storage usage. Monitor capacity regularly and adjust retention policies as needed.
A multi-layered backup approach ensures complete protection against various ransomware scenarios. Proper planning and implementation of these backup layers creates robust recovery capabilities.
Synology Drive provides continuous file synchronization and versioning, creating an always-current backup of your critical work files.
Sync Mode: Use “sync” rather than “backup” for active work folders to enable bidirectional synchronization and immediate access to files from any location.
Selective Sync: Configure specific folders for synchronization rather than entire drives. This reduces storage usage and improves sync performance.
Version Control: Enable version history with at least 32 versions per file. This allows recovery from gradual file corruption or accidental changes.
Bandwidth Control: Set appropriate upload/download limits to prevent backup activities from impacting business operations.
For comprehensive protection beyond file-level backups, Active Backup Suite provides complete system imaging and application-specific backup capabilities.
| Backup Type | Use Case | Recovery Time |
|---|---|---|
| PC/Server Backup | Complete system imaging for bare-metal recovery | 4-8 hours for full system restore |
| Microsoft 365 Backup | Email, OneDrive, SharePoint protection | Minutes for individual items |
| Google Workspace Backup | Gmail, Drive, shared documents | Minutes to hours depending on scope |
| Virtual Machine Backup | VMware, Hyper-V environment protection | 1-3 hours for VM restoration |
Local backups alone cannot protect against site-wide disasters or sophisticated attackers who target backup systems. Offsite backup creates the final layer of protection in your ransomware defense strategy.
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Synology's native cloud service provides seamless integration with your NAS device, offering enterprise-grade security with consumer-friendly pricing.
Native Integration: Direct integration with DSM eliminates complex configuration and provides automatic encryption during transfer and storage.
Flexible Scaling: Start with basic storage plans and expand as your data grows, with options ranging from personal use to enterprise-scale deployments.
Geographic Distribution: Data centers in multiple regions provide redundancy and compliance with data residency requirements.
Versioning Support: Cloud storage maintains file versions, providing additional protection against gradual corruption or insider threats.
Synology's Hyper Backup supports numerous cloud storage providers, allowing you to choose based on cost, performance, or compliance requirements.
For organizations with multiple locations or those wanting complete control over their offsite backups, Synology-to-Synology replication provides robust disaster recovery capabilities.
Automated Scheduling: Configure regular replication schedules that align with your recovery point objectives (RPO).
Bandwidth Management: Set appropriate bandwidth limits to prevent replication from impacting business operations.
Encryption in Transit: Enable SSL/TLS encryption for all replication traffic to protect data during transfer.
Retention Policies: Maintain different retention schedules on source and destination systems based on storage capacity and compliance requirements.
Your NAS device's security configuration directly impacts its effectiveness as a ransomware protection tool. Proper network security assessment ensures your backup system remains protected even during active attacks.
Isolating your NAS device from potentially compromised systems limits ransomware spread and maintains backup integrity during attacks.
Place your Synology NAS on a dedicated VLAN with restricted access from user devices. Configure firewall rules that allow necessary backup traffic while blocking unnecessary protocols.
Limit administrative access to specific management workstations or VPN connections. Avoid accessing NAS administration from potentially compromised systems.
Disable unnecessary services like FTP, Telnet, or SNMP v1/v2. Enable only required protocols and configure them with strong authentication requirements.
Modern Synology devices include sophisticated security features that provide active protection against network-based attacks.
| Security Feature | Protection Type | Configuration Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in Firewall | Network traffic filtering and port blocking | Essential – Configure immediately |
| Security Advisor | Automated security configuration scanning | High – Run weekly scans |
| Threat Intelligence | Automatic blocking of known malicious IPs | Recommended – Enable with monitoring |
| Intrusion Detection | Real-time attack pattern recognition | Advanced – Configure after basic security |
The effectiveness of your ransomware protection depends entirely on your ability to execute successful recovery procedures under pressure. Regular testing ensures your backup systems work when needed most.
Document detailed procedures for various recovery scenarios, from individual file restoration to complete system rebuilds.
Monthly recovery tests build confidence and identify potential issues before they become critical problems.
While robust backup capabilities provide crucial ransomware recovery options, they work best as part of a comprehensive security strategy that includes prevention and detection capabilities.
Modern endpoint protection solutions work alongside backup systems to provide layered defense against ransomware attacks.
Advanced endpoint protection monitors for ransomware-like behavior patterns, potentially stopping attacks before encryption begins. This reduces recovery time and data loss.
Solutions that monitor network traffic can detect unusual data access patterns that might indicate ransomware spreading through shared folders or network drives.
Some security solutions can automatically trigger backup verification or create additional snapshots when suspicious activity is detected.
Technical solutions must be complemented by proper user training and access management to minimize ransomware entry points.
Choosing the right Synology model depends on your data volume, performance requirements, and budget considerations. Here are the most suitable options for comprehensive ransomware protection.
| Model Range | Best For | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| DS220+ / DS420+ | Small home offices (1-3 users) | Affordable entry point, essential backup features, good performance |
| DS923+ / DS1522+ | Growing businesses (5-10 users) | Expandable storage, advanced backup suite, better performance |
| DS1821+ / DS2422+ | Small businesses (10+ users) | High capacity, enterprise features, redundancy options |
For most home offices, the Synology DS923+ 4-Bay provides an excellent balance of features, performance, and expandability. It supports all advanced backup features while remaining cost-effective for smaller deployments.
Organizations requiring comprehensive cloud integration should consider Synology Advanced models that include enhanced cloud connectivity and enterprise-grade features.
Deploying comprehensive ransomware protection requires careful planning and phased implementation to ensure all components work together effectively.
Effective ransomware protection requires continuous attention and regular maintenance to ensure all systems remain functional and up-to-date.
Comprehensive quarterly assessments ensure your protection strategy evolves with changing threats and business needs.
Review backup performance metrics, storage utilization trends, and network impact. Adjust schedules and configurations to optimize performance.
Audit user access permissions, review security logs, and update firewall rules based on changing business requirements.
Conduct comprehensive recovery tests including complete system restoration to verify all backup systems function correctly.
For organizations needing additional guidance on implementing comprehensive security measures, our complete business software stack guide provides broader context on building resilient business technology infrastructure.
Recovery time depends on the scope of the attack and your backup configuration. Individual file recovery from snapshots typically takes minutes, while complete system restoration can take 4-8 hours. With proper preparation and testing, most small businesses can be operational within 24 hours.
While ransomware can potentially access network shares, proper configuration significantly reduces this risk. Locked snapshots cannot be deleted by network-connected systems, and read-only access permissions limit damage. Network segmentation and access controls provide additional protection layers.
Synology Drive provides file-level synchronization and versioning, ideal for documents and active work files. Active Backup Suite creates complete system images, including operating systems and applications, enabling bare-metal recovery. Both serve different purposes in comprehensive protection strategies.
Storage requirements depend on your data volume and retention policies. A general rule is 3-5 times your active data volume to accommodate snapshots, versions, and growth. For example, if you have 500GB of active data, plan for 2-3TB of NAS storage capacity.
Yes, offsite backup is crucial for complete protection. Local backups protect against hardware failure and most ransomware attacks, but sophisticated attackers may target backup systems specifically. Cloud backup ensures recovery capability even if your entire location is compromised.
Synology Hyper Backup supports numerous cloud providers including Amazon S3, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Dropbox, and many others. You can use existing accounts or set up dedicated backup storage accounts for better organization and security.
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