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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The safest UGREEN NAS is local-only. If you need files away from home, use the narrowest remote-access method that fits your model, protect every account controlling that path with unique credentials and OTP two-factor authentication, close unused router and NAS services, install current firmware and apps, and maintain an independent backup. Never publish the UGOS management interface, SMB, NFS, or SSH directly to the internet.
This guide applies the controls in UGREEN’s security guide dated April 28, 2025 and its remote-access guide dated April 17, 2026. Menu names and feature availability can vary by model and UGOS release, so verify settings on the exact NAS you own.
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Start with the smallest exposure
Ask whether remote access is necessary at all. A NAS used only by people and devices inside your home should have remote access and unused network services turned off. This removes the internet-facing path rather than trying to make an unnecessary path safe. UGREEN states the principle directly: “A UGREEN NAS used only inside your home should have remote access and unused network services turned off.”
On a local-only installation, disable any remote-access feature, old port-forwarding rule, UPnP mapping, Docker port, and application endpoint you do not actively use. Keep the NAS on a trusted home network, protect the router, and still use separate accounts, updates, monitoring, and backups. Local-only does not mean risk-free: a compromised laptop, phone, router, or IoT device can still reach services that are unnecessarily open on the LAN.
#1 Best Overall
- Entry-level NAS Personal Storage：UGREEN NAS DH2300 is your first and best NAS made easy. It is designed for beginners who want a simple, private way to store videos, photos and personal files, which is intuitive for users moving from cloud storage or external drives and move away from scattered date across devices. This entry-level NAS 2-bay perfect for personal entertainment, photo storage, and easy data backup (doesn't support Docker or virtual machines).
- Set Your Devices Free, Expand Your Digital World: This unified storage hub supports massive capacity up to 64TB.*Storage drives not included. Stop Deleting, Start Storing. You can store 22 million 3MB images, or 2 million 30MB songs, or 43K 1.5GB movies or 67 million 1MB documents! UGREEN NAS is a better way to free up storage across all your devices such as phones, computers, tablets and also does automatic backups across devices regardless of the operating system—Window, iOS, Android or macOS.
- The Smarter Long-term Way to Store: Unlike cloud storage with recurring monthly fees, a UGREEN NAS enclosure requires only a one-time purchase for long-term use. For example, you only need to pay $459.98 for a NAS, while for cloud storage, you need to pay $719.88 per year, $2,159.64 for 3 years, $3,599.40 for 5 years. You will save $6,738.82 over 10 years with UGREEN NAS! *NAS cost based on DH2300 + 12TB HDD; cloud cost based on 12TB plan (e.g. $59.99/month).
- Blazing Speed, Minimal Power: Equipped with a high-performance processor, 1GbE port, and 4GB RAM on Board, this NAS handles multiple tasks with ease. File transfers reach up to 125MB/s—a 1GB file takes only 8 seconds. Don't let slow clouds hold you back; they often need over 100 seconds for the same task. The difference is clear.
- Let AI Better Organize Your Memories: UGREEN NAS uses AI to tag faces, locations, texts, and objects—so you can effortlessly find any photo by searching for who or what's in it in seconds. It also automatically finds and deletes similar or duplicate photo, backs up live photos and allows you to share them with your friends or family with just one tap. Everything stays effortlessly organized, powered by intelligent tagging and recognition.
Choose a remote-access method deliberately
Remote access is a design decision, not a single switch. Compare the setup burden, what becomes reachable from outside, model and account prerequisites, and how quickly you can revoke access.
| Method | Best fit | Exposure and prerequisites | Revocation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local only | Home-only use | Turn off unused remote services and secure the LAN; no internet endpoint is required. | Keep remote services disabled and remove old router mappings. |
| UGREENlink | Typical household users wanting the built-in path | Current UGOS and a UGREEN account; avoids broad, manual router port forwarding. Security depends on the account, NAS login, trusted devices, and recovery controls. | Disable UGREENlink and revoke unneeded sessions or trusted devices; remove accounts that should no longer connect. |
| Tailscale | Approved devices that should communicate through a private network | Usually no inbound port forward, but requires a compatible Docker-capable model, a Tailscale account and clients, and a correctly configured container. The DH2300 cannot run the container because it lacks Docker. | Remove the device or users from the private network and stop or remove the container. |
| DDNS with narrowly scoped forwarding | Advanced users who require a direct hostname and endpoint | Router control, a reachable public address, a reserved NAS LAN address, minimal forwarding rules, HTTPS with a matching certificate, and ongoing monitoring. CGNAT or double NAT can prevent ordinary forwarding. | Delete the forwarding rule, disable DDNS, revoke certificates or credentials, and turn off the service. |
UGREENlink: the simpler built-in route
UGREENlink is the first option to consider for most households that genuinely need remote file access. UGREEN describes it as a built-in route that does not require broad manual port forwarding. It still requires a current, supported UGOS installation and a UGREEN account, and the account itself becomes part of your security boundary.
Before enabling it, secure the UGREEN account, the NAS administrator account, the recovery email, and every device that will connect. After enabling it, connect from a phone or computer on a different network, such as cellular data, and confirm that only the intended application or file function is available. Do not assume that a convenient relay makes weak passwords, stale trusted devices, or an exposed local service acceptable.
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Tailscale: private-network access with model constraints
Tailscale can create a private network between approved clients rather than publishing a NAS service to the entire internet. On UGREEN systems it normally involves Docker, so check that the exact model supports Docker and that you understand the container’s networking and update process. UGREEN specifically says the DH2300 cannot run its Tailscale container because that model lacks Docker.
Use a separate Tailscale identity for each person or device where practical. Remove lost or sold devices from the tailnet, stop the container when it is not needed, and keep the container and UGOS current. “Private” does not mean automatically safe: a misconfigured container, overbroad device authorization, or compromised client can still reach NAS resources.
DDNS: a direct path for experienced administrators
Dynamic DNS only keeps a hostname pointed at a changing public address. It does not encrypt traffic and does not secure the service behind that hostname. A DDNS deployment therefore needs a reserved NAS address on the LAN, a reachable public address, router control, a deliberately minimal forwarding rule, and a service configured for HTTPS.
Rank #2
- 【Advanced Home Data & Media Hub】For advanced home users who need phone backup, file storage, and centralized data management. Centralize family photos, 4K videos, movies, computer backups, and personal files in one place while running multiple apps for home entertainment and everyday data management. Suitable for households with growing digital libraries and multiple NAS use cases.
- 【Built for Creators, Media Servers & Advanced Apps】Powered by the Intel N100 Quad-Core CPU, 8GB DDR5 RAM, 2.5GbE networking, and dual M.2 NVMe slots, DXP2800 handles large files and heavier workloads with ease. Run Docker, virtual machines, and media server applications compatible with Plex—ideal for content creators, tech enthusiasts, and advanced home users managing 4K videos, RAW photos, personal media libraries, and multiple NAS apps.
- 【Up to 80TB for Growing Digital Libraries】 Supports up to 80TB of storage using two HDD bays and two M.2 NVMe SSD slots for family photos, movies, RAW photos, 4K videos, work files, and device backups. AI photo management supports recognition of people, objects, scenes, and locations, album organization, and duplicate photo detection. HDDs and SSDs are not included.
- 【AI-powered Home Surveillance】Turn DXP2800 into a centralized home surveillance hub by connecting compatible network cameras and storing recordings locally on your NAS. AI-powered features include Face Recognition, People Detection, and Pet Detection, helping advanced home users review important events more efficiently while managing home surveillance and personal data in one place.
- 【One data Center Across Your Devices】Keep files from desktops, laptops, phones, tablets, and other devices together instead of scattered across cloud accounts and external drives. Access, back up, organize, and share data across Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, web browsers, and compatible smart TVs—ideal for creators and advanced home users working across multiple devices.
CGNAT and double NAT can make ordinary inbound forwarding fail. Do not work around that by opening more ports or enabling UPnP blindly. Identify which router actually holds the public address, and confirm the path from outside the home network. Forward only the single service that needs access, not the management interface or file-sharing protocols.
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UGREEN’s guidance is explicit: “Do not expose SMB, NFS, SSH, or the UGOS management interface directly to the internet.” These protocols are useful inside a controlled network but are poor choices for a general public endpoint. Do not treat an obscure port number as protection, and do not create a catch-all forward to the NAS.
If an internet-facing application is unavoidable, limit it to the specific service and client population that needs it, require HTTPS, use a valid certificate whose name matches the hostname, and test from an external network. Never train users to click through certificate warnings. Do not expose plain HTTP WebDAV to the internet.
Build accounts around least privilege
Separate administration from everyday use
Keep one administrator account for system work and give each person a separate standard account for routine file access. Remove administrator rights from daily accounts, disable old accounts, and grant only the folders and applications each person needs. A shared login makes it harder to attribute a change and harder to revoke one person’s access without disrupting everyone else.
Use unique credentials everywhere
Give every administrator and standard user a long, unique password or passphrase. Never reuse a NAS password for the UGREEN account, email, router, DDNS provider, Tailscale, backup destination, or an application. UGREEN recommends using a password manager to store unique credentials. Protect the password manager itself with a strong, unique credential and multi-factor authentication when available.
Turn on OTP two-factor authentication
Enable the available time-based one-time-password (OTP) two-factor authentication for NAS accounts. Confirm that the NAS synchronizes its clock automatically; UGREEN notes that clock drift can cause valid codes to fail. Add a secure recovery email and store recovery information where an attacker cannot reach it through the NAS.
Rank #3
- Entry-level NAS Home Storage: The UGREEN NAS DH4300 Plus is an entry-level 4-bay NAS that's ideal for home media and vast private storage you can access from anywhere and also supports Docker but not virtual machines. You can record, store, share happy moment with your families and friends, which is intuitive for users moving from cloud storage, or external drives to create your own private cloud, access files from any device.
- Smart Photo Backup & AI Album: Automatically back up photos and videos from your phone in real time and keep growing family memories organized with AI-powered photo albums. Semantic search, custom learning, and recognition of people, objects, pets, and similar photos help you quickly find the moments you want. Duplicate photo removal also helps keep your library organized—ideal for families and users with large photo collections.
- User-Friendly App & Easy Setup: Connect quickly via NFC, set up simply and share files fast on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, web browsers, and smart TVs. You can access data remotely from any of your mixed devices. What's more, UGREEN NAS enclosure comes with beginner-friendly user manual and video instructions to ensure you can easily take full advantage of its features.
- More Cost-effective Storage Solution: Unlike cloud storage with recurring monthly fees, A UGREEN NAS enclosure requires only a one-time purchase for long-term use. For example, you only need to pay $629.99 for a NAS, while for cloud storage, you need to pay $719.88 per year, $1,439.76 for 2 years, $2,159.64 for 3 years, $7,198.80 for 10 years. You will save $6,568.81 over 10 years with UGREEN NAS! *NAS cost based on DH4300 Plus + 12TB HDD; cloud cost based on 12TB plan (e.g. $59.99/month).
- Your Data, You Control：No third-party clouds, no hidden access, UGREEN NAS provides a more secure and private data storage solution. It stores data locally on your private hard drives and does automatic backups. Thus, you can keep full control over it. The advanced encryption is TRUSTe certified in the United States and is awarded the first (and only) ETSI EN 303 645 certification mark for NAS products by TÜV SÜD Group.
UGREEN’s August 24, 2026 update plan lists enforcing OTP at account sign-in as a planned feature. That plan can change, so do not describe enforcement as already shipped merely because it appears on the plan. Enable the OTP controls that your installed UGOS version actually provides.
Review trusted devices and activity
Review trusted devices regularly. Revoke anything lost, sold, shared, public, or no longer used; never mark a public or shared computer as trusted. Examine successful and failed logins, unfamiliar IP addresses, user or administrator changes, newly installed applications or containers, and changes to remote-access or firewall settings. An unfamiliar event is a reason to investigate before simply deleting the evidence.
Protect every credential that controls the access path, including the router administrator, DDNS account, UGREEN account, Tailscale account, backup destination, and application-specific logins. A secure NAS account cannot compensate for a compromised router or remote-access account.
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Harden the router, NAS firewall, and local network
Remove unnecessary paths
Disable unused NAS services, router forwards, UPnP mappings, and Docker ports. Configure the NAS firewall to permit only required traffic from the networks and devices that need it. UGREEN warns that multi-port and link-aggregation arrangements can affect which firewall rules apply; owners of those configurations should test the actual path rather than assume a rule applies to every interface.
Check both IPv4 and IPv6
The absence of an IPv4 port-forwarding rule does not prove that the NAS is unreachable from the internet. A globally reachable IPv6 address may still accept unsolicited traffic if the router’s IPv6 firewall allows it. Review IPv6 firewall policy as carefully as IPv4, and test from an outside network.
Secure the router and segment untrusted devices
Install current router firmware, replace its default administrator password, disable remote router administration unless it is specifically required, and remove stale forwarding rules. Put guest and IoT devices on an isolated guest network or VLAN where the router supports it. Permit only the media traffic those devices need; do not grant general access to NAS administration.
Rank #4
- Pro-Performance NAS Engineered for Demanding Workflows: This NAS is built for offices, businesses, and power users who need serious performance. Powered by a pro-performance Intel processor, it serves as a versatile private workstation that delivers smooth performance for running virtual machines and Docker containers. It functions as an IT hub for video editors, developers, virtualization tasks, and growing teams with advanced workflows
- Pro-Grade Core Hardware Performance: Features the Intel Core i3-1315U Processor (6 Cores, 8 Threads, up to 4.5GHz Turbo), offering a significant performance lead. It's paired with 8GB of high-speed DDR5 RAM (expandable to 96GB) and 13th Gen Intel UHD Graphics for smooth multitasking. Dual high-speed network ports (10GbE + 2.5GbE) enable blazing-fast transfers, reaching up to 1.25GB/s
- Ultimate Flexibility with Docker, VMs & Smart AI: It offers comprehensive support for Docker and Virtual Machines, unlocking endless possibilities to run personal websites, smart home hubs, or private development environments. The local AI-powered Photo Album automatically recognizes faces, scenes, and content. All AI processing happens on-device, ensuring your privacy while managing massive photo libraries effortlessly
- Massive Storage & Intuitive All-in-One System: It supports a colossal 144TB capacity (4x HDD + 2x M.2 SSD), enough for approximately 4.2 million 35MB RAW photos, 3.6K 40GB 4K movies, 5 million 30MB lossless music, or 150 million 1MB files. Dual M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD slots can be used as a high-speed cache or storage pool to eliminate HDD bottlenecks. The intuitive UGOS Pro operating system integrates a media center, photo management, cloud sync, downloads, and more for a one-stop experience
- Enterprise-Grade Data Security & Privacy: Provides multiple RAID configuration options (0, 1, 5, 10) for flexibility between capacity, speed, and protection. Features granular user permission controls (supporting up to 2048 accounts). The Data Vault offers an extra layer of security by hiding and encrypting sensitive files. Certified for strong privacy and data protection by TV SD (ETSI EN 303 645) and TRUSTe
Use certificates correctly
HTTPS protects traffic between a client and a service; it does not encrypt files sitting on the NAS. UGREEN says UGREENlink applies a certificate to its remote connection. For DDNS, install a valid certificate matching the hostname, assign it to the intended service, track its expiry, renew it, and test it remotely. A certificate warning is a configuration problem to fix, not a prompt to bypass.
Enable and verify remote access step by step
UGREENlink workflow
- Confirm that the NAS runs a supported UGOS version and that important data has a separate backup.
- Secure the UGREEN account and NAS administrator account with unique credentials, OTP where available, and a recovery email.
- Disable unused services and delete old router forwards or UPnP mappings before turning on UGREENlink.
- Enable UGREENlink in the NAS remote-access controls and pair only the accounts and devices that need it.
- From cellular data or another outside network, sign in and verify that the intended file or application function works without exposing UGOS administration.
- Review login and device activity. Revoke any device you do not recognize, and repeat the review after changing users or phones.
Tailscale workflow
- Verify that the exact UGREEN model supports Docker; the DH2300 does not support the required container.
- Create or use a protected Tailscale account and install the client only on approved devices.
- Deploy the container using the model’s supported Docker configuration, limiting access to the NAS addresses and ports actually needed.
- Authorize each device individually, test file access from outside the home, and confirm that NAS administration is not broader than intended.
- Keep the container and UGOS updated. Remove devices or users immediately when they are lost, sold, or no longer required.
DDNS workflow
- Confirm that your internet connection has a reachable public address and is not blocked by CGNAT or double NAT.
- Reserve a stable LAN address for the NAS and disable UPnP so mappings are created intentionally.
- Create one forwarding rule for the required service only. Do not forward SMB, NFS, SSH, or the UGOS management interface.
- Configure the service for HTTPS and install a certificate matching the DDNS hostname. Record the renewal date.
- Apply a narrow NAS firewall rule and, where possible, restrict source networks or approved clients.
- Test from outside the home network over both the normal client and an error case, such as an unauthorized account. Remove the rule if the result is broader than intended.
Keep UGOS, apps, and containers current
Use the NAS Control Panel’s update function for UGOS, then check the App Center and Docker applications separately. Apply security updates after confirming that important data is backed up and that the release is appropriate for your model. A firmware update does not automatically update every application or container.
Check the exact model on UGREEN’s Products Support Status page and download center. UGREEN says it maintains a list of products without ongoing software support and may still issue necessary fixes for critical security issues to devices outside ongoing support. That is a vendor caveat, not a promise of routine updates, so unsupported hardware should not be treated as equivalent to a currently maintained model.
The System Update Plan, marked updated August 24, 2026, describes planned features and can change. It lists custom security whitelists among features in the last three versions, but planned availability is not evidence that your installed release contains the feature. Check the actual release notes and settings before relying on it.
Use security scanning and event notifications appropriately
The UGOS Security app’s real-time protection can scan suspicious files stored on or passing through the NAS. UGREEN says this does not replace endpoint security on computers that open those files; keep computers and phones protected as well.
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Best Value
- Entry-level NAS Personal Storage：UGREEN NAS DH2300 is your first and best NAS made easy. It is designed for beginners who want a simple, private way to store videos, photos and personal files, which is intuitive for users moving from cloud storage or external drives and move away from scattered date across devices. This entry-level NAS 2-bay perfect for personal entertainment, photo storage, and easy data backup (doesn't support Docker or virtual machines).
- Set Your Devices Free, Expand Your Digital World: This unified storage hub supports massive capacity up to 64TB.*Storage drives not included. Stop Deleting, Start Storing. You can store 22 million 3MB images, or 2 million 30MB songs, or 43K 1.5GB movies or 67 million 1MB documents! UGREEN NAS is a better way to free up storage across all your devices such as phones, computers, tablets and also does automatic backups across devices regardless of the operating system—Window, iOS, Android or macOS.
- The Smarter Long-term Way to Store: Unlike cloud storage with recurring monthly fees, a UGREEN NAS enclosure requires only a one-time purchase for long-term use. For example, you only need to pay $459.98 for a NAS, while for cloud storage, you need to pay $719.88 per year, $2,159.64 for 3 years, $3,599.40 for 5 years. You will save $6,738.82 over 10 years with UGREEN NAS! *NAS cost based on DH2300 + 12TB HDD; cloud cost based on 12TB plan (e.g. $59.99/month).
- Blazing Speed, Minimal Power: Equipped with a high-performance processor, 1GbE port, and 4GB LPDDR4X RAM, this NAS handles multiple tasks with ease. File transfers reach up to 125MB/s—a 1GB file takes only 8 seconds. Don't let slow clouds hold you back; they often need over 100 seconds for the same task. The difference is clear.
- Let AI Better Organize Your Memories: UGREEN NAS uses AI to tag faces, locations, texts, and objects—so you can effortlessly find any photo by searching for who or what's in it in seconds. It also automatically finds and deletes similar or duplicate photo, backs up live photos and allows you to share them with your friends or family with just one tap. Everything stays effortlessly organized, powered by intelligent tagging and recognition.
Backups are a separate security control
Keep an independent backup with separate credentials and test restoration. RAID improves availability after a drive failure but is not a backup; a NAS security scanner does not recover deleted or encrypted files; and a backup account reachable through the same compromised credentials may be exposed with the NAS.
Perform a restore test that answers practical questions: can you recover a representative file, a complete folder, and the configuration needed to resume service? Record when the test worked and protect the backup destination from routine NAS administrator credentials. If ransomware or unauthorized deletion is suspected, stop normal synchronization before restoring so damaged changes are not propagated to the backup.
What to do if the NAS may already be exposed
Use a containment-first sequence. Preserve logs before resetting anything; a factory reset or log clear can destroy evidence needed to understand what changed.
- Remove router port forwards and disable unnecessary UPnP mappings. Turn off the affected DDNS or remote-access feature. If an active compromise appears likely, disconnect the NAS from the network.
- Review login records, account activity, administrator actions, firewall events, unfamiliar IP addresses, trusted devices, applications, containers, and recently changed rules.
- Revoke unknown sessions and devices and disable unrecognized accounts. From a known-clean computer, rotate potentially exposed NAS, UGREEN, router, DDNS, Tailscale, backup, and application credentials.
- Update UGOS and installed apps, run a security scan, and inspect the NAS for unexpected users, files, scheduled jobs, or containers.
- Restore remote access only after the review is complete, using a narrower method and fresh credentials. If files were encrypted, deleted, or renamed, stop ordinary NAS activity before attempting restoration or resynchronization.
This sequence follows UGREEN’s published security guidance; it is a response plan, not evidence that a particular device has been compromised.
A maintenance routine that stays secure
- After every change: test the intended path from inside and outside the home, then inspect the firewall and router mappings for anything created automatically.
- Monthly: review users, administrator rights, trusted devices, successful and failed logins, and remote-access sessions; remove anything obsolete.
- When an update appears: confirm a current backup, read model-specific notes, update UGOS, then update App Center and Docker software separately.
- At each router review: check IPv4 forwards, IPv6 firewall policy, UPnP mappings, remote router administration, firmware status, and guest or IoT isolation.
- At least periodically: perform a real restore test and verify that backup credentials are independent of NAS administrator credentials.
- When a person or device leaves: disable the account, revoke trusted devices or private-network membership, rotate shared secrets, and check for remaining forwards or tokens.
For a home-only NAS, leaving remote access disabled is the strongest default. For remote use, choose one controlled route, expose only the required service, and make account review, updates, alerts, and restore tests part of normal administration rather than emergency work.
Quick Recap
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