Take server online: Port forwarding vs. reverse proxy

[EggplantHabitat856]

Hi guys

I am new on this forum, since the Jellyfin subreddit was closed down a while back.

I have had a personal Jellyfin server for a while, and I am loving it!
However, I have always only hosted my server on my local network. I now want to host it online, so that I can watch my content from anywhere, and I also want to give some friends and family access to my server.

I don't have much experience with network administration, however I am generally an advanced user when it comes to computer stuff.

According to some research I have done online, there are two ways to take my server online; port forwarding my router, or use a reverse proxy.

I have two main concerns that are very important for me to address when taking my server online:

1. Network security: I want the safest way to expose my server to the internet without introducing security risks, such as hacking and malware.
   
2. Protecting remote users: {we don't talk about content acquisition - TDP} Therefore, it is very important that users can establish a secure encrypted connection to the server so that they don't risk getting {we don't talk about content acquisition - TDP}.
   

How do you guys recommend I proceed?
Thank you in advance.