Should You Recover Data On Your Own?

There are so many things going on in the world right now many of you probably can’t keep up with all these changes anymore. The rapid rise in technology is the major factor as to why the world that our parents grew up in is but a distant shadow only. From young kids to adults, technology has become a crucial part of our lives. Just think of all those handy smartphones on your hand or in your pocket and the tablets that keep kids entertained as their harried parents trying to juggle the increasing demands of work and home life as prices keep on going up as the price we have to pay for modern living. Seeing how much we all depend on technology, it would surely be a major hassle if we lose access to one of these modern contrivances that holds so much of our dear life.

For instance, computers that break down can spell big trouble especially if you store a lot of your data in it and you didn’t have the foresight to keep a copy in a different storage space ahead of time. But of course, you can never tell when tragedy hits you so you end up trying all sorts of hacks to get your lost data back. Take note that even if you do get your computer fixed, it is still not an assurance that you can recover all valuable files and other tidbits of information you stored in there. Now, most people don’t have the technical know-how so they just let the experts take care of the problem for them but since you can pretty much research everything on your own now over the web, those who are brave enough dare to take on the challenge of recovering their own data but should you?

There are hundreds of software utility tools that can be downloaded off the internet for free, and offer promises of fast and easy data retrieval. Unfortunately, many of these are filled with malware, and using them will expose the data to theft or worse.

Avoid using free utility services that do not have an established reputation as effective and virus-free tools. For example, SanDisk offers multiple recovery products (mainly for SD cards) that are virus-free and well respected among industry professionals.

Despite the availability of some recovery options, the best way to avoid going through the expensive recovery process is to proactively manage data so that if a device fails, it does not have as big of an impact on your productivity. You simply buy a new machine and go about your day.

(Via: https://www.siliconrepublic.com/enterprise/data-recovery-diy-tips)

While there are risks, there are also countless resources you can turn to for help. You can see a lot of posts about it on the web. Some even provide step-by-step tutorial while others even have it on video so you no longer have to use your imagination to put the pieces together. You have to take into consideration, though, the make and model of your device because different hardware may look and work differently too. Again, only attempt a DIY data recovery if you are sure of what you are doing or have at least an idea how a computer works and can work your way around it or risk causing more trouble than previously.

The first line of defense for a computer should be a login PIN number, which offers a layer of protection against theft. Another tactic is to install (and update frequently) a firewall program and a well-regarded antivirus and malware utility. You can also encrypt your data which makes it nearly impossible to read unless in possession of the encryption key. Update the O/S frequently to pull in the latest security patches, and use multi-faceted tools that will warn you about possible phishing emails, unsecure websites, and other hacking attempts.

Recovery should always be seen as a "last resort" that’s used to pull the most important data. It’s best to treat a laptop or desktop as simply a gateway for reaching the internet and a way to power software. With the cloud, there’s no longer any reason to use a computer as a storage device. So if something goes wrong with the machine, then simply buy a new one for $500 and dive back into work.

(Via: https://betanews.com/2017/12/05/diy-data-recovery-challenges-and-alternatives/)

Simple computer issues may be fixed even if you only DIY but it might not work on devices that have been severely damaged and beaten especially by the elements. You will need far more extensive knowledge and a wide array of tools and clean room set-ups to deal with this type of mess especially if you are resolute in getting your data back. And this is something you can’t just Google on the web. Only knowledgeable, skilled, and experienced computer technicians can do the job right on the first try but it may come at a price that your data rightly deserves. To save yourself from the woes of data recovery, learn saving your data in multiple locations like the cloud and other external storage devices because you won’t likely getting stressed out over things like this that you could’ve prevented in the first place.

Should You Recover Data On Your Own? is available on Euro Toques

via https://www.euro-toques.org/2018/05/25/should-you-recover-data-on-your-own/