Another month, another model of router that will need to be replaced. So if you own a D-Link DIR-859. There is a critical vulnerability, that allows a hacker to collect account information from the device including passwords. However as the DIR-859 went end of life in 2020. It’s highly unlikely that D-Link will be releasing a security patch.
Instead the general advice seems to be that you should replace your old router, with another model that is still able to receive security updates. So if after reading this notice you are in the market for a new WiFi router. We recommend that if possible you avoid cheap consumer products.
Yes any manufacturer can release a router that has a security flaw. However not all consumer manufacturers properly support their router products. So as a general rule we find Google, Synology and Ubiquity to be manufacturers who will provide regular updates and tend to support their products for an extended period of time.
Current Project updates
From a productivity stand point, last month was a disastrous month. So not only did we spend half the month sick. We also then had to complete an end of year tax return, which is always very time consuming to complete. However with July now behind us, we can look forward to working on a few new projects.
Synology BeeStation
Synology recently release something called a BeeStation. Which is their take on a personal cloud storage system that you run from your home network. So for anyone who is currently using a third party cloud storage service like iCloud, Google Drive or Dropbox. Replacing that service for a BeeStation, not only provides your data with better privacy. You will also find that over time it will be the cheaper option.
While a 4TB BeeStation purchased directly from Synology, will be a one off payment of £208.79. As cloud storage tends to work on a monthly subscription model. You should find that after 8 months, a BeeStation will have paid for itself.
True the BeeStation is currently limited to only 4TB, but anything you store on the BeeStation will remain private. Something that may not be completely true for other cloud based subscriptions. You could also argue that integrating a BeeStation into your home network is more complicated than buying into a cloud storage service.
While it’s true you do need to be comfortable around computers, we found setting up a BeeStation to be very easy. Basically, you connect the BeeStation to your home network, connect to it from a computer and follow the onscreen instructions. The BeeStation will then use Synology’s Easy Connect technology to allow you to access your BeeStation from your home network or via the Internet.
The only downside to a BeeStation is that it’s not like a full Synology NAS. So if you need anything more than file sharing, personal file syncing and photo backups. You will need to look at alternative products. However as we like what the BeeStation has to offer, we have started to capture video footage for a future series.
Early Access content
This month as part of our Early Access content. We will be releasing a video on how you configure Notifications on a Synology NAS. However, while this will be a stand alone video as part of our quick tip series. We will be integrating it into a much longer video, that will look at basic security for our Beginners Guide series on setting up a Synology NAS.
Then for anyone with an Apple Time Capsule looking for a new router. We will be posting a video on how you can use a Synology router to make backups for an Apple Macintosh computer running Time Machine.
Finally because we were able to get hold of the new Echo Spot during Amazons Prime Day sale. We will be making a video demonstrating how you activate an Amazon echo device in the Alexa app, along with a video that demonstrates how you factory reset the new Echo Spot.
This months video release
This month we will be spending the month releasing videos relating to network shares. So at the start of the month we will be releasing a video on how you turn a Synology router into a file server. We will then spend the rest of the month releasing generic videos relating to connecting Windows, macOS and ChromeOS to network shares.
So you can also expect to see a video on how you place a network share on the desktop of macOS. A video on how you configure macOS to auto mount network shares. A video on how you map a network drive in Windows, and a video on how you map a network drive using Windows terminal.
Add comment