access my server from home VPN? please help?

Hi All I could do with some advice... I work for myself & have a OS X server in my office. I'd like to work from home sometimes and get access to my files etc. I have an ADSL modem/router with VPN facility Draytec 2600. I also host a small web database and have opened port 80 to redirect to the database hosted on the web server part. My question is, can I just open the 548 TCP/AFP port to direct to the IP address of the server. Is this safe from unwanted hacks etc? or do I really need the VPN way, (in truth I'm not sure how to set this up!). Any advise will be greatly appreciated. Az :?: