The Most Common Causes of Data Loss

By Matt Brennan

We rely on our data extensively. The files, applications, and contact lists that we build can be critical to day-to-day business operation. We often take this data for granted as we use it to build successful companies. The truth is that data can often be lost or stolen. Many companies aren’t doing what it takes to maintain access to this crucial data in the event of a crisis.

Data loss can occur for a variety of reasons. It can be something as serious as hacking or something as trivial as a spill over a keyboard. The outcome is often devastating to the company or individual.

How Companies Lose Data

Accidental Deletion

Old files can clutter desktops and drives. Deleting what we no longer use is an often-used method for staying organized and uncluttered. The problem arrives when you accidentally delete a file that’s necessary to your organization. When you don’t back up the data, this can be a dangerous and damaging scenario.

Computer Crashes or Power Loss

If you are writing a new document or working with existing data, it’s crucial to save the document as you continue to work. If you are working in complex databases or creating new documents your work can be completely lost in the event that your computer crashes. This can cause lost work that can never be recovered.

A power loss can cause a short that renders data unrecoverable. It can lead to mechanical damage within the machine. The easiest way to protect yourself is through automatic and regular backups of your work.

Viruses, Malware, or Hacking

There are many different types of viruses and malware, and there are many people out there with malicious intent. This can impact operational software, stored data, and leave you exposed to a world of problems. Hackers can also cause damage to your digital assets, resulting in data loss.

Large corporations are responsible for extensive troves of valuable and sensitive data – making them frequent targets for malicious intent. Regular cloud backups or removable drive backups can be critical in recovering from data loss. It’s also important to install antivirus software to protect yourself.

Mechanical Damage

Hard drives break down over time. They are composed of many moving parts, and those parts are often delicate. Once you have problems with a hard drive, all of the data stored on that particular drive can be put at risk. A data recovery company may be your best bet at this point to recover any critical data.

Sometimes computers break due to their age, and the typical wear and tear of any product. Sometimes there are manufacturing defects. A computer’s memory can often be affected when a computer is accidentally dropped.

Regular backups protect against hardware defects.

Recover Data by All Means Necessary

As you may have noticed, backing up your data is a critical step in preventing data loss. Once important data is lost, contacting a data recovery company is your best bet in recovering that data. There are free versions of recovery software, but those programs may actually decrease the chances that you recover what was lost. If you’re looking to recover lost data, call us today at (866) 400-DATA.