Simple Ways to Avoid Data Loss

by: jameswalsh
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Hence, it is always better to guard your computer against potential causes of data loss.

Ways to Avoid Data Loss

Here are a few simple ways in which data loss can be avoided or at least the risk of data loss can be reduced to a great extent.

Data backup is one of the primary ways by which the damage done by data loss can be avoided. Backup of data can be sought on various devices such as CDs and DVDs, flash drives, external hard drives, tapes etc. Even online backup of data is possible. Such backups should be carried out regularly.

Copies of important files can be saved on the hard drive itself with different names in order to avoid loss of data due to corruption.

If you make use of portable data storage media for your backups then, you should ensure that they are stored in a safe location.

The drive on which the operating system has been installed is most susceptible to data loss due to attack by viruses, data corruption etc. Hence, preferably, important data should be stored on drives other than the one containing your OS.

Viruses can lead to loss of data on a large scale. To avoid attack of viruses on a computer, one should have anti-virus software of good quality installed on the computer. Such anti-virus software offers the facility to update virus signatures through the internet. The same should be utilised in order to ensure protection against the latest viruses.

Also, anti-virus software comes with a firewall setting that immediately scans the files that have been downloaded or are being used. Activating the same will provide greater protection.

Emails are the medium through which viruses are usually transferred to systems. The attachments of the same should be thoroughly scanned even if you have received an email from a known source.

Power surges and failures are common causes of data loss. To avoid such loss of data, one can make use of spike busters, UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) systems etc. especially if the power supply you receive is not reliable.

Printouts of important data can be taken in case the data stored on computer is lost.

If your business is situated in an area that is prone to natural disasters such as floods, landslides etc. then, offsite backup of data should be sought as the devices that store the original data may be damaged during such a disaster.

One should place the computer in a safe place that is free from dust and other contaminants. Also, the table on which the computer has been placed should be steady and should not increase the risk of falls.

If you intend to make use of the computer for long periods of time, you should ensure that the room is properly air conditioned in order to avoid overheating. Also, one should not subject the computer to high temperatures as this may lead to data loss.

One should always ensure that the computer is shut down properly and always close all the running applications before shutting it down.

If you do not have enough experience with computers, you need to make use of software that is user-friendly and easy to use. One can contact a technician or acquaintances or obtain information from the internet or technical magazines about such software.

In case the hard drive has suffered from physical damage then, one should avoid running the computer as this is likely to intensify the damage and hence cause permanent loss of data.

If you have a large database then, the same should be stored in one central location. This will make backup and protection of the data easier.

Finally, remember that the most common cause for loss of data is human error. To avoid the same, one should handle the computer carefully and in case you are not an experienced user, you should perform operations on it only with proper guidance.

These are some of the ways in which the risk of data loss can be reduced. Remember that the damage to your storage device or total prevention of data loss cannot be prevented at all times. Hence, backup of data on external devices is one of the safest ways of escaping problems arising due to data loss.

About the Author

James Walsh is a freelance writer and copy editor. For more information on computer crime and Computer Forensics see http://www.fieldsassociates.co.uk

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