Maria Chojnowska
31 March 2023, 4 min read
What's inside
Due to the fact that World Backup Day is coming up on March 31st at Sunscrapers, we decided that it is an excellent opportunity to share our knowledge on how to protect our valuable information.
Our latest article, "Don't Be a Fool, Back Up Your Data: A Short Guide to Protecting Your Valuable Information," provides useful insights on the importance of backing up your data.
However, even with backups, unforeseen events can still lead to data loss. That's why we've compiled a list of tips to help you prepare for disaster recovery. Check out our article, and always be ready to recover your data in case of an emergency.
The Most Common Causes of Data Loss
Data loss can be a frustrating and devastating experience for both individuals and businesses. Whether losing important documents, cherished memories, or critical business data, data loss can cause significant disruptions and setbacks.
Understanding the common causes of data loss is essential in protecting your valuable information.
Let’s explore the most common causes of data loss:
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Accidental deletion of files, folders, or formats of a disk or drive containing valuable data.
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Hard drives, servers, and other hardware can fail due to mechanical issues or software errors, resulting in data loss.
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Power disruptions can cause data to become corrupted or lost, mainly if it occurs during a data write or transfer.
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Malicious software can infect a system, damage or destroy data, encrypt it, and hold it for ransom.
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Physical damage to a device, such as a laptop or a smartphone, can result in data loss. Theft of a device can also lead to data loss if the data is not backed up or encrypted.
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A human error, like accidental mistakes, such as overwriting files or improperly configuring settings, can result in data loss.
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Natural disasters like floods, fires, or earthquakes can destroy hardware and stored data.
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Hackers can gain access to a company's systems, steal or delete data, encrypt it, and demand a ransom for its release.
It brings us to the next point
What to Do When Disaster of Data Loss Strikes?
It's important to have a comprehensive data backup and recovery plan to mitigate the risk of data loss and ensure that critical data can be restored in the event of an incident.
Remember not to panic. Instead, take immediate action to try and recover your data.
Here are a few steps you can take when disaster strikes, and you've experienced data loss:
- Stop using the affected device.
Stop using the device immediately if you suspect your data has been lost or deleted. Using the device could overwrite any remaining data, making it more difficult or impossible to recover.
- Determine the cause of the data loss.
Understanding the cause of data loss can help you determine the best course of action for recovery. For example, if the data was lost due to a hardware failure, you may need to consult a professional data recovery service.
- Attempt to recover data.
There are various software tools and techniques that you can use to try and recover lost data. However, it's essential to exercise caution and ensure that you don't inadvertently cause further damage or data loss during recovery.
- Seek professional help.
If you cannot recover the data on your own, or if the data is particularly valuable or critical, it may be necessary to seek the assistance of a professional data recovery service.
By taking these steps and remaining calm in the face of data loss, you can increase your chances of recovering valuable information.
However, prevention is always the best course of action, so it's vital to have a robust backup and data protection strategy in place to minimize the risk of data loss in the first place.
