While using a computer, ensuring the backup of all your critical data is of prime importance. Unfortunate and sudden events like a virus attack, corruption of files or hard drive failure can wipe out all kinds of vital information from your system. Therefore, it is important for you to include data backup as a part of your computer usage schedule. Backing up system data might come across as an intimidating task at times, with an individual having no clue of where to begin, the kind of files that need to be backed up, the most efficient way to back up your data, and the most reliable backup. Nevertheless, this article might throw some light on the above parameters.
Importance of Backing Up Your Files
Information created in computers is usually stored in individuals drives within the system. However, continual writing and reading of data in the drives might eventually lead overtime drive failure due to mechanical glitches or degradation of the drives. This, in most cases, happens without a warning. This is where the importance of data backup comes into play. Apart from this, other unexpected situations like file corruption, power failures, ransomware, and virus attacks might result in the abrupt loss of data. It is therefore essential for you to store your data is some additional places for greater safety.
The storage mediums that you choose to back up your data, depends on a few essential factors like:
- Setup Complexity
- Scope of Backup
- Security Requirements
- Portability
- Offsite or Onsite Backup
- Budget
Common Causes of Data Loss
Harmful Malware and Viruses
Virus attacks on computers are an increasingly common phenomenon. Though you get to derive ample advantages by being linked to the worldwide network, it exposes your computer to a series of grave threats. The magnitude of the damage caused due to a virus attack does differ. However, it mostly damages data stored in the system, the operational software of a machine and use of internet connection. On a larger scale, though we tend to consider data loss a prime effect of a virus attack, it is usually a side effect of some greater damage done to your system. Delving into the reasons of an implanted virus attack, stealing and damaging business data happens to be the prime motive of hackers in most cases. A common way to deal with a computer badly damaged by malware and virus easily is installing operating systems and programs using available installation disks.
Accidental Deletion of Files
Loss of data due to deletion of files and sections of important texts without prior backup tops the list of common causes of data loss. Uploading and deleting data files on a regular basis might result in the accidental deletion or overwriting of files. A lack of proper backup strategies and workflow procedures is a common cause of data loss. Thus, creating efficient procedures to back up and save regular work might help save a great deal of time and aid data loss prevention.
Mechanically Damaged Hard Drives
Hard drives are undoubtedly the most fragile part of a computer system. In fact, hard drive breakdowns are a more common phenomenon than any other computing hazard. There are definite ways to recover lost data from a hard drive. However, in most cases, it can cost you a fortune! The other aspect is that hard drives are dying away naturally, on account of the numerous detected manufacturing defects. The most minute of all ambiguities can affect the functioning of hard drives. In such cases, try looking into the most appropriate means of data backup for hardware failure.
Ransomware
Ransomware is a process of data obstruction that leads to limited or no access infected data unless the required ransom is paid. Data loss due to ransomware can, at times, even cost you a big pinch in the pocket. Though ransomware no longer comes as a surprise to tech geeks, it is still a serious threat to stored data. There has been an approximate rise 350% in ransomware attacks globally between 2016 and 2017.
Power Failure
Power failures can have two adverse effects in terms of data loss from your system. The first one is loss of data halfway between your work if you forget to save it. This, though a simple example, is the most common instance of data loss due to power failures. Nevertheless, it can have a much serious effect if you are working on advanced databases or the creation of detailed graphic illustrations. Nevertheless, the greater problem arises when the hardware and operating system of a computer are affected. Due to the chain reaction caused, you might not be able to access the required data anymore and this could be one of the prime reasons for data backup daily.
Common Data Storage Media
- USB Flash Drive – USB Flash Drives ae ultra-portable, durable, and inexpensive data storage mediums that are highly efficient for transporting data between file locations. However, the fact that they can be stolen or easily lost poses to be a drawback at times.
- External Hard Drives – An external hard drive is the most common form of storage medium that is used. It has an easy setup procedure, is relatively cheap and portable, and provides numerous storage size options. Moreover, it has enough space to store a huge amount of data. Nevertheless, like internal hard drives, the external ones can be damaged if dropped, have a risk of being misplaced, and are prone to untimely failure.
- Disc Media – Though a dying medium of data storage, Disc Media (DVD-Rom, Blu-Ray and CDs) are a cost-effective means of storing information and data from your system. If you are in search of an off-site storage option that is both portable and cheap, you can always give disc media a try. However, due to their limited storage capacity, they might not be advisable for bulk storage of data.
- Cloud Backup – Trending high as one of the latest backup technologies, Cloud Backup lets you access stored data from any device with proper internet connectivity. An offsite mode of storage, Cloud offers your data with added security from disasters. Most Cloud services provide you with 5G of online storage space for free. In case you require more storage space, you can buy it by paying a recurring fee. However, online backups are way slower and time-consuming, especially in case of terabytes of data backup.
- Network Attached Storage (NAS) – A Network Attached Storage or NAS makes use of a range of storage devices to create a large combined storage space. NAS devices are linked to the network for easy shared access. A NAS device is known to provide you with better performance by making use of RAID configurations, enhanced data redundancy, and real-time drive failure protection. Nevertheless, installing buggy software versions of NAS might cause backup issues and onsite NAS might be vulnerable to disasters like flood and fire.
SFTP/FTPS/FTP – Similar to Cloud storage, FTP is an offsite data storage solution and might be a probable option to consider during times of availability. With an increasing part of the masses making a shift towards cloud services, FTP continues to be a viable option. Both FTPS and SFTP provide you with an added layer of security, with FTP and FTPS being supported by SyncBackSE and SyncBackPro and SFTP being supported in SyncBackPro.
Even while making use of viable sources of data backup, making multiple copies of the data and updating them on a regular basis are highly recommended. Storing backups individually in different locations is an assurance of the availability of an extra backup copy when needed.
How Can You Recover from a Virus Attack?
A virus attack on your business is an indication that your network is at risk. You need to act quickly to prevent the spread out of a virus attack to other computers linked to your network while ensuring data loss prevention. Penetration of virus up your computer’s security defenses can lead to immediate destruction of files and corruption of data, thus hampering your productivity and leaving your applications useless. The following proposals can help get your business back on the track:
Isolate and Disconnect
In case you suspect your computer of recently suffering a virus attack, immediately disconnect the computer physically. Infected machines usually prove to be a threat to the surrounding systems that are connected to the same network. Cleaning an infected machine while it is still connected to the network is hardly of any use.
Emphasize on Cleanup
After physically disconnecting the system, shift your focus removal of the malicious code. Make use of appropriate virus removal tools that are specific to the virus causing the concerned damage. You can always look up and discover these tools online. It is important to ensure the fact that the anti-virus software has the specific updates and patches at its disposal for specific security threat. Make sure that you keep updating your software at frequent intervals.
Restore the Data
Restoring your data at frequent intervals indicates that you have evidently been careful about backing up your files. Not backing up data regularly on your system will most likely lead to your data being permanently lost. Thus, ensure that you keep the restore and backup process in progress on an ongoing basis. An important aspect that needs to be kept in mind is that a few specific viruses solely attack the applications and not individual data files.
Reinstall your Operating System
The result of a virus attack may range from anywhere near a mere change in the file names to permanent obliteration of files and disabling of software applications. The magnitude of the damage depends on the concerned virus. In case the operating system is destroyed, reinstall the Operating system through a quick restore CD that comes with your computer. This will ensure that your system gets restored to the initial configuration, though applications you installed might be deleted. So, make sure you have all important applications and data files backed up before you opt for reinstallation.
Scan for Viruses
Once the restoration and reinstallation have been completed, conduct a thorough virus scan of your linked network. Make use of the most recent and updated anti-virus software for the purpose. Scan through all the available files and applications on each computer and server on your connected network.
Prevent Future Attacks
Adopt necessary preventive measures to avoid disastrous virus attacks in the future and a need for immediate data backup for hardware failure. Ensure that your security patches are absolutely up-to-date. Start running anti-virus software on an immediate basis. Create regular a regular backup schedule and change all important passwords of your machine at suitable intervals. It is important to remember that certain specific viruses can break through passwords and changing them will give the much-needed boost to your system security.
Files That Require Immediate Backup
Now that we have a fair idea of the importance of data backup and the reasons for data backup, the next step involves identification of relevant files in your system that need immediate backup.
- The User Folder That Contains All Your Necessary Documents, Pictures and Music Files
- A Thorough Email Backup
- Browser Favorites and Bookmarks
- List of Installed Programs
- Backup Applications and Backup Tasks
- Important Data Stored in Other Places Apart from Your Account Folder
The folders which do not require backup include:
- Program Files
- Windows
- Program Files (x86)
Files in a Windows system cannot be relayed to the hardware of a different PC and hence, will automatically be set up during the installation of a new Windows OS. This is applicable in case of the Program Files as well since most of the applications need to be re-installed on the new OS.
Conclusion
Protecting your system is an absolute necessity. Data backup for hardware failure is a task that needs to be performed on a regular basis. An easy way of keeping your data safe is by setting up an automatically created backup task via SyncBack. When your data is safe, you have peace of mind as well.
We at Neighborcomputer take care of all your professional system services and needs. Do not wait for an unfortunate incident to wipe off critical information from your system. Start opting for the most effective and appropriate data backup measures from Neighborcomputer today.
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