RAID combines multiple drives to improve performance, redundancy, or both. The amount of usable storage depends on the RAID level chosen; for example, RAID 5 uses one drive's worth of capacity for parity, allowing the system to tolerate the failure of one drive without data loss. Click to read more RAID knowledge.

For a 4bay NAS, the best RAID level depends on your priorities for data protection, performance, and usable storage capacity. The common RAID options for 4 drives include RAID 5, RAID 6, and RAID 10. If you’re unsure which setup offers the right balance for your needs, you can read our blog post on Best RAID NAS configuration for home users to explore detailed comparisons and real-world use cases.

Use RAID for redundancy, but also maintain external backups because RAID is not a substitute for backup. If you want to explore a range of reliable strategies beyond RAID, our guide on the top 7 data backup methods in 2025 covers everything from cloud syncing to offline rotation—ideal for building a solid protection plan.

Use strong, unique passwords; disable or rename the default admin account; enable two-factor authentication; change default network ports; enable SSL for encrypted connections; set up a VPN for remote access; and keep firmware updated regularly. For a deeper dive into these tactics and why they matter, check out our full guide on ensuring home NAS network security.

Use antivirus and anti-ransomware software, keep firmware up to date, maintain offline or offsite backups, and enable immutability features if available. Learn more ways to prevent ransomware.