Five Easy Ways to Avoid Data Loss

Data loss is something which every computer user dreads. It can lead to major inconvenience, missed deadlines and financial losses. But did you know that there are some very simple things that you can do to guard against data loss and bounce back quickly in case it ever occurs? Here are some hot tips:

1. Don’t Store Your Data with Operating System Files

The hard disk industry has kept pace over the years with the need for more and more data storage space as file sizes get bigger and bigger. Gone are the days when a hard disk of 40 GB was considered staggering. Today, disks installed inside ordinary desktops have a capacity of anywhere from 80 GB to 240 GB. To effectively utilise such huge capacities, it is essential for the hard disk to be divided into many partitions.

Usually, the partition called “C” is where the operating system files are stored. When you save data files on your hard disk, make sure that you never place them in the C directory. This is because whenever there is a serious case of software corruption or virus attack and the computer cannot be booted up, the entire C directory needs to be reformatted using a bootable disk and the operating system reloaded.

This reformatting and over-writing destroys every shred of data that existed earlier on that particular partition. Therefore, never make the mistake of saving any of your data in the same hard disk partition that holds the operating system files.

2. Take Regular Backups

Despite your best efforts, data loss is an eventuality that will sooner or later strike your computer. The best and cheapest way for you to bounce back after a case of data loss is to keep regular backups. There are a variety of inexpensive data backup devices available in the market for all price ranges and capacities.

For most individual users, three or four optical disks (CDs or DVDs) are sufficient for data backup needs. People who actually handle a lot of critical data on a routine basis can go for a USB drive of up to 8 GB or a portable hard disk. The latter has capacities of up to 500 GB and comes with automatic data-backup software that can back up your entire computer disk at the touch of a button.

Though taking data backup every day seems a nuisance and a thankless job, such backup is worth its weight in gold when you abruptly lose all your data.

3. Use Anti-virus Software

Viruses are malicious programmes that have the potential of causing a tremendous amount of damage to your data. They can corrupt your files or even reformat your entire hard disk on their own as you watch helplessly. It is very important therefore for you to install an anti-virus software that can guard your computer against a variety of threats from viruses, worms and Trojans.

Such software runs quietly in the background, checking every file that gets downloaded to your computer. The moment it identifies a virus, it sounds a warning and either quarantines the file or deletes it from your system, thus saving your data from getting infected. Whenever you connect to the Internet, the anti-virus software automatically downloads latest virus definitions and updates its database to guard against new threats.

Most computer viruses today travel through email from one computer to another. As a rule, never open an email attachment until you have first scanned it with the anti-virus software.

4. Make Many Copies of Important Files

For all your important files that you absolutely cannot do without, it is better to create two or three versions of them by giving them different file names and saving them on your computer. This has many benefits. If your file gets infected by a virus, gets corrupted or simply refuses to open, you can get most of your data back by accessing its version you saved with another name.

5. Take Print-outs of Crucial Data

Digital data is very convenient to work with. You can make as many copies as you want, delete files, create new ones or send the data from one place to another through a network, all at the touch of a button. However digital data has one major drawback: it is volatile and can disappear suddenly without warning due to hardware or software errors.

It is therefore a good idea to keep a copy of your important files the old fashioned way, that is, printed on a piece of paper. Though this cannot give you your digital file back in case of data loss, you will still have the data with you which will help you recreate the digital file all over again.












Article Source :http://infopool.webverve.com/