Data backup and recovery is essential to every user

Creating a data backup is the most important step if you want to avoid a disaster

Data backup and recovery is important not only to businesses but to home users too.

People are using more and more devices in their daily lives. Most of us can't imagine a day without a smartphone or computer. All important pictures, documents, projects, and other data are stored in our devices with the possibility to use them whenever we want. But computers and other devices bring not only convenience but new dangers too. After all, these important files can disappear, get locked, or damaged any second.

That is why it is essential to have backups in this digital era. Correct data backup and recovery practices should be used not only by businesses but by home users as well. If you do not know what data backup and recovery means or how to choose the best method to avoid losing files, this article will be useful for you.

The data backup and recovery process is a combination of technologies and practices that allow making copies of the important files at pre-determined periods. Typically, the data should be copied to a new external location or online server. This way you can prevent permanent data loss and avoid high recovery costs in the case of a cyberattack, human error, disaster, etc. The only thing you need to do after the loss is to use the copies in the place of the lost files.

Of course, data backup and recovery practices vary. You should try to choose the best option for you according to your finances and the amount of data you want to save. Also, try to remember that you do not need backups of the entire hard drive. Instead, you should pick and choose which files are the most important for you and save only them. This way, you will need a smaller online server or physical storage device.

We recommend picking up the most import files instead of backing up everything.

You can lose your data due to various reasons and the only thing that will help to avoid it is data backup

If you still think that data backups and recovery are not important, you should rethink your beliefs. All information can be gone in just a blink of an eye. Without backups, important files can be lost forever.

The most common reason how you might permanently lose access to your files is a hardware failure. Even though technology is always moving forward, there is no way to assure that a hardware component will not stop working one day. Also, there is the possibility of hardware component failure related to incorrect handling. For example, you can drop the device on the floor and damage it badly.

Ransomware infection is another reason why people can't use their important files. This virus is designed to lock up all personal files on the system and then demand ransom to be paid in Bitcoin digital currency for the decryption tool. Even after the ransomware deletion, all personal data remain locked. Moreover, encryption algorithms like RSA cannot be decrypted even by the most experienced security specialists.

Ramsomware is a virus that locks all personal files.

We should consider the possibility of human errors too because all people make mistakes, regardless of how careful they are. For example, you could lose your laptop, phone, or another portable device. Also, it is very possible to spill a cup of coffee on vital hardware components, damaging them beyond repair. So, unintentional data loss happens all the time, and the best way to avoid losses is by saving your files in different places.

Moreover, the devices can be stolen on the beach, on a train, or another place, and you will lose your data too. Even leaving the personal computer at home is not safe because house break-ins are not that uncommon.

Natural disasters are yet another way to lose important files. And we are talking not only about tornadoes, earthquakes, or hurricanes. There are more common natural situations, for example, floods, high-temperature changes, house fires, water pipe breaks, electrical surges, etc. In all these situations the best option is to have data backups. Without backups, you may lose all important files forever.

Virtual and physical backups: advantages and disadvantages

Virtual data storage can be an excellent choice in many situations because it can be potentially unlimited. Also, remote/virtual storage is very convenient because it can be set up to be performed automatically in the desired periods. If your files are constantly being changed and need frequent backups, so-called Cloud storage is one of the best solutions.

If you have a lot of files and need frequent backups, so called Cloud storage is one of the best solutions for you.

However, it is important to note that you should select a reputable service. Sensitive data is extremely valuable and incorrectly stored data could be stolen easily or even sold to third-parties. That's why you should make sure that the remote Cloud service you decided to choose encrypts information and protects it adequately from unauthorized intrusions.

Keep in mind, that most Cloud storage services are not free. Sometimes it can be very costly, especially if you have a huge amount of data and decided to choose an expensive plan. Of course, you can use your email to store some small files if you do not like Cloud storage. This method is not particularly efficient but it is still better than nothing.

Virtual data storage is not the only solution when it comes to backups. As we previously mentioned, backups can be stored on the physical medium too, but you should remember to immediately physically disconnect the device from the primary system as soon as you copy all data.

If you decided that physical medium is better for you than an online server, you can choose various hardware devices. For example:

• USB Flash
• DVD/CD
• Hard drive (HDD)
• External hard drive
• Solid-State drive (SDD)
• NAS (Networking Attached Storage) devices

You can copy important files to external hard drives, USB Flash, etc.

Data recovery tools are useful software if you want to recover files but do not have backups

Of course, if you forgot to make backups and already lost your data, several methods may help you to retrieve files. The success highly depends on how you lost your files. It is not easy, but sometimes even ransomware-encrypted files could be restored by data recovery tools. So, instead of giving up without a fight, firstly try to use a powerful program.

Data Recovery Pro

Data Recovery Pro is one of the best email and file recovery solutions. It does not take a lot of space, does not use too many computer resources, and is very easy to use. This program can help to recover pictures, documents, archives, videos, music, databases, and other file types that were accidentally deleted or lost due to other reasons.

Additional features of Data Recovery Pro:

• Restores files from formatted or partitioned drives;
• Recovers emails and their attachments that were deleted or lost;
• Repairs data from external devices, such as USB sticks or iPods;
• Supports search by keyword function;
• Guides through the file restoration process;
• Might sometimes be used to recover encrypted data;
• Previews scan results such as videos or music files.

Data Recover Pro can help to recover data.

ShadowExplorer

Years ago, when Microsoft presented Windows Vista, it also implemented a new, automated backup feature called Volume Copies. It saves files automatically in the background by your Windows operating system if the System Restore is enabled. But this built-in tool to access these backups is not user-friendly because you can't recover all files at once.

If you want to access the shadow storage with ease in a user-friendly manner, the ShadowExplorer is the best solution for you. This application allows you to browse previous versions of files without any restrictions. This tool is not an alternative to regular backups but it can still save your day if you want to restore files.

Ransomware infection locks your personal files possibly permanently

Ransomware is a serious infection that locks all your personal files. During the encryption, a unique key is created and sent off to its developers. Hackers demand to pay a ransom in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies if victims want to retrieve the key. Unfortunately, in most cases, it is impossible to decipher files when a secure encryption method is used. But sometimes even cybercriminals make mistakes that can be used by security researchers to provide users with a free decryption tool.

Of course, these occasions are rare, and new ransomware infections being released every day. Most people who get infected with ransomware don't realize that the removal of this infection won't help to unlock files. Without backups, there is no guarantee that the victim will be able to recover data for free.

No More Ransom Project is helping people to recover ransomware-encrypted files.

Despite this, you still should try to look for a decryption key. Sometimes, projects like No More Ransom and others give free decryption tools. Thanks to cybersecurity researchers, many users recovered ransomware-encrypted files for free.