How can I prevent data loss and enhance data recovery?

Data recovery involves various methods to recover computer files that, for various reasons, can no longer be accesssed by traditional means. Such data loss may be caused in several ways, including virus attacks, accidental disk formats or file deletions, corrupted database files, accidentally overwriting files and devices, or natural disasters such as fire or flooding. Characteristically, data loss becomes apparent when the user suddenly is unable to access data from a previously functioning computer or backup system, or if the computer will not boot, applications won�ft run or load data, folders become empty or there is visible damage to the hardware. A hard drive that is about to fail may make ticking or grinding noises while powering up or trying to access files.

Preventing Data Loss

As we store increasingly more digital information on media that has the potential to fail, and come to rely on them for containing our critical business or personal data, the incidents of data loss have increased. One way to prevent the need for data recovery is to keep up-to-date backups in at least two different locations in order to guard against data loss. As most people fail to do this, data recovery companies proliferate.

Another way to prevent data loss is to install anti-virus systems on a computer. Anti-virus software can often alert the user to the computer's infection by a virus before the virus has had a chance ot work its way into the system and cause severe damage. Of course, some viruses act very quickly, while others may be undetectable by a given anti-virus program (especially if the anti-virus program is not regularly updated to include software that proteects against the most recent viruses). In addition, most anti-virus programs have the ability to isolate and remove the damaging virus.

Data Recovery

In most cases, not all lost computer data will be recoverable, but the methods used by data recovery specialists can often restore a surprisingly high percentage of the data from damaged media. Cases of data recovery can be loosely divided into two categories: common recoveries, involving floppy disks and hard drives usually from single-user personal computers and file servers, and complex recoveries from hard drives, RAID arrays, tape and optical media or corrupted databases and file systems usually from multi-user business systems. Whatever the particulars of the data-recovery job, each data-recovery case involves extensive resources and a high degree of technical specificity, because of the complex and varied causes of data loss.