What to do in case of data loss? - SrijibDutta/srijiblog GitHub Wiki
For many users, the topic of data recovery as you would say in German is initially associated with serious damage to storage devices, servers or notebooks, resulting from fire, water or fall damage. Certainly, these are damages that also apply, but more common are data losses caused by accidental or mistaken deletion of files, folders or complete partitions.
What Is Data Recovery And How Does It Work?
Regardless of whether this involves logical or physical damage to the data medium, the term "data recovery" describes all the measures required to reconstruct the lost or inaccessible data.
Data Loss and Data Recovery
However, data loss is not always caused by hardware failure. In many cases, humans are the cause. Other common causes of data loss include power outages, natural disasters, equipment failures or malfunctions, accidental deletion of data, unintentional formatting of a hard drive, damaged read/write heads on the hard drive, software crashes, logical errors, firmware corruption, continued use of a computer after signs of failure, physical damage to hard drives, laptop theft, and spilling coffee or water on a computer. By "data recovery" we primarily mean all measures required to repair logical damage to a data medium. This also includes the measures that should be considered in advance of the data recovery, for example the creation of a physical copy of the data medium that is to be recovered later. Data recovery can be applied to all conceivable storage areas, starting from a mistakenly deleted file up to error replication. The necessity of a data recovery stands and falls with the readiness of the user for a regular consistency check of the backed up data.
The Most Important Factor in Data Recovery Success Rates
Even a few simple measures help to drastically reduce the probability of data loss.
- Regular backup
- Safe shutdown
- Up-to-date security software
- Logging off USB storage devices
- Personal security precautions
- No exposure to heat
- No exposure to shocks
Regular backup
The safest method against data loss is a regular backup. Be sure to store the backup copies on a second physical hard drive, either USB or internal.
Safe shutdown
After finishing work on your PC, always use the "Shutdown" or "Power off" function and wait until the computer has actually shut down. This can be easily detected by the silencing of fan noises or the LED indicators going out. In any case, avoid turning off the PC by disconnecting the power connection by e.g. pulling out the switch.
Up-to-date security software
You should never surf the Internet without up-to-date security software. After only a few minutes an unprotected computer can be "hijacked", so that a stranger has full control over your PC and thus also over your hard disk data. Furthermore, some current viruses and Trojans change the data structure on the computer so that it can no longer be read in part or in full after the attack.
Logging off USB storage devices
Before physically removing USB storage devices, e.g. external hard disk, USB memory stick, deactivate them. If, for example, external hard disks are not properly logged off, but are removed directly from the system by unplugging the USB cable or switching off the power supply, there is a risk of data loss. On the one hand, it can lead to files that have not yet been completely written being lost. On the other hand, it can happen that the entire contents of the hard disk are no longer displayed because a corruption of the disk allocation table has occurred.
Personal security precautions
An elementary point for avoiding data loss is a security-conscious use of data carriers. This includes, for example, the use of secure passwords. In addition, data should be stored on the PC in a structured manner so that it can be easily incorporated into backup plans. External data media containing important data should be stored in secure locations.
No exposure to heat
Do not expose the hard disk to extreme heat. So do not put the notebook or the USB hard disk in the car in sunlight. In the PC at home, ensure sufficient cooling and leave a slot between the hard disks free.
No exposure to shocks
Do not subject mobile hard disks, such as those installed in notebooks, MP3 players, and USB disks, to unnecessary shocks. Steps to Take When Data Loss Occurs
In case you have lost your data, there are a few things you can do to avoid further data loss at least.
- Keep a cool head
- Do not use the affected data carrier
- Disconnect power
- Data recovery company
Keep a cool head
Easier said than done but emotional immersion will not restore your data. It can easily happen that the cup of coffee suddenly topples over onto your laptop. Or the external hard drive falls down from the table onto the floor. In all these situations, keep calm and act rationally. Your own tampering with the data medium is much more likely to cause consistent data loss or make professional data recovery impossible.
Do not use the affected data carrier
Regardless of the type of data loss, you should never continue to use or connect the affected media. If you have accidentally deleted or formatted your data on a properly functioning hard disk, you should not save any further data on the affected disk under any circumstances. Further saved data can cause data sectors to be overwritten where your removed data resides. This may make a data recovery attempt for these files impossible.
Disconnect power
Disconnect your affected disk from the power supply. This includes USB connections to other devices. This is because further commissioning of the data carrier can irrevocably destroy data sectors.
Data recovery company
If you don't have expert knowledge, then play it safe and let professionals recover your data. Pick your data recovery company and send your data arrier safely packed to them.
Conclusion - Data recovery is possible
The best insurance against data loss is and remains a regular backup of your data. But even if your data gets lost, there are some measures you can take.