How to Recover Data

Data Recovery is the process of salvaging and retrieving corrupted, deleted, or lost files from a defective hard drive.

Data can be lost for a variety of reasons, including physical damage to the drive, logical damage to the file system, or accidental deletion this leads to the loss of critical information. In some cases, data loss can also be caused by malware or ransomware attacks.

In most cases, data recovery is possible if the drive itself is still functioning. Data recovery software can be used to scan the drive and identify areas where data may be recoverable. Once the software has located the data, it can then be copied to a new location, such as an external hard drive or a USB.

In some cases, data recovery may require more invasive methods, such as opening up the hard drive and directly accessing the data. However, this should only be attempted by experienced professionals, as there is a risk of further damaging the drive.

What are the differences between Backups and Recovery?

Backups are like an insurance policy for your database. They provide peace of mind knowing that you’ll be able to restore it if there’s ever a failure, whereas recovery is simply the process where all data gets restored back to its original state.

Why Data Backup and Recovery is important for Businesses

Data backup and recovery are important for any business or individual who uses computers to store information. Data loss can occur due to hardware failure, software corruption, natural disasters, or even human error. If you do not have a backup of your data, you risk losing everything.

Back-ups allow you to restore your data in the event of data loss. There are many ways to back up data, including external hard drives and cloud storage. Data backup is a simple process, and it is essential to protecting your information.

How is Data Recovery performed?

Data recovery is a complex process that requires expert knowledge and specialized tools. Attempting to recover data yourself can often do more harm than good, as you may inadvertently overwrite critical data or damage the storage device.

Data recovery services are provided by trained professionals who have the experience and expertise to retrieve data safely and effectively. So, if you’re facing a data loss situation, don’t try to go it alone – contact a professional data recovery service for help.

Can I recover my Data myself?

There are several free tools available that can help you to recover your lost data. These tools typically use a variety of techniques, including file carving, raw file recovery, and disk scanning. However, not all tools are created equal, and neither is they type of data loss you may have suffered.

As such, it is always advisable to refer to a trained Data Recovery Specialist.

How long does it take?

The amount of time it takes to recover your data will vary depending on the problem. After a technician has taken care of and diagnosed what’s wrong, you’ll be able to get an estimate for how long everything should go in recovering all that crucial information!

How much does it Cost?

The standard price for successful recovery is around $330, depending on where you go. However, if your data requires more than 1 Terabyte of storage space, you will likely be charged an extra fee based on each additional TB required to complete the task. Other factors including the type of drive, or device it is retrieved from can also alter the cost.

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Backups are critical, this is why

You may have heard from your IT professional, friend, or co-worker that backups are important. They are. In fact, backups are critical. If you like to flirt with danger and assume that what you have in place is sufficient, you may end up losing some of the most precious moments of your life.

The 5 most common file types lost due to lack of backups

In a Data Recovery Survey in 2020, the 5 most common types of files lost were;

  1. Photos 89%
  2. Videos 47%
  3. Personal documents 44%
  4. Work documents 32%
  5. Audio files 27%

Almost 90% of total lost files were photos, from babies to graduations, weddings and Christmases – all gone. And one simple solution, backup.

What causes data loss?

According to the survey, the most common causes of data loss are Hardware failure, followed by human error.

    1. HARDWARE FAILURE 44%
      Power Failure
      Hard Drive crashes frequently
      Computer Overheating
    2. HUMAN ERROR 32%
      Accidentally deleting files
      Intentionally deleting data files
      Accidentally formatting hard drive
      Dropping or knocks to the device
      Spilling liquids on laptops & computers
    3. SOFTWARE ISSUES 14%
      Software freeze or crash
      Bugs in software
      Unexpected & improper software shutdowns
      Database or file system corruption
    4. VIRUSES & MALWARE 7%
      Cryptoviruses
    5. NATURAL DISASTER 3%
      Fire, floods, earthquakes etc

When to back up and how

Each time you use your computer you download or create new files. Ultimately, your computers hard drive fills up and there is no space left. One this occurs (if not sooner) cleaning out files you do not need is imperative. If you are able to easily find files you no longer need, then the solution is quite simple. However if you intend to remove files you want to keep, you will need to back them up first. Keeping files you regularly use and removing ones you do not always need is best practice. Make sure before you delete anything, you have checked your backups have been done correctly.

Local Backup

Creating a local backup (onto an external hard drive) is a very simple process. All you need to do is connect the drive to your computer via the USB connector and move the files across. There are also automated backups on some external hard drives which if left connected to your computer, can transfer data across during regular intervals or at times you have chosen. You must ensure you are careful with your external hard drives as they too have spinning parts that can be damaged if knocked or dropped. So keeping your drive in a safe place and not moving it while it is running is best practice.

Cloud Backup

Cloud backups offer the same kind of automatic backup as an external drive can, but for all your devices, including iPhones, tablets and laptops. The convenience of having access to all you files anywhere in the world at any time, is also a huge benefit. The Cloud is protected by a secure log in and guaranteed through multiple redundancies, therefore you can be secure in the knowledge that your data is safe.

Data Recovery

In the event that you have had a hard drive fail without completing any backups, and with all drives expected to fail it will happen at one time or another, you can turn to data recovery. The process of data recovery is a specialty and should only be performed by skilled data recovery technicians. If you have a corrupted hard drive or USB, d not attempt to delete any files or restore the drive yourself. Contact a data recovery specialist and they will do it for you.

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