How Safe Is Your Data ?

When considered logically, there are two things needed for computer data. The first is that the owner can always get at it and the second is that no one else can. In computing terms, this falls under the field of data recovery and protection. In an ideal world neither of these would require a second thought, but in the real world, it's something which should be seriously considered.

• Data Recovery

The average hard disc consists of platters of glass, spinning faster than a car engine at red line. The heads that read the data fly over the disc. It's why a hard disc should not be moved when it is in operation.

Manufacturers quote reliability in terms of hours before failure. They are saying that hard discs are going to fail. This means, when the inevitable happens and the disc dies, some form of data recovery will be required. Roughly speaking, there are two types of failure a hard disc can undergo - hard and soft.

• Hard Failure

This is where something went wrong and those flying heads hit the spinning platters. Depending on how hard it hits, this can have a minor effect of scraping some of the coating and losing the data it contained, up to damaging the head, effectively rendering everything on that platter unreadable. Recovery from such a situation is not easy and rarely complete - something will be lost. This is a job for professionals or at the very least, the local neighborhood geek.

• Soft Failure

Though, on the face of it, soft failures seem a lot worse in that they usually present themselves as a total hard disc loss. If this happens, but the drive is not making any strange noises, it is a soft failure. What has happened is the index to the files has become corrupt. The system therefore can't find anything and reports a disc that needs formatting. Data can usually be retrieved by running a recovery program. This would be a job for a friendly computer geek and rarely requires expensive professionals. The most important thing anyone can do, if this happens, is turn the computer off. Do not attempt to do anything until the hard disc has been checked, as every attempt made without appropriate precautions being taken runs the risk of wiping more and more data.

• Data Protection

As much as access to personal data is required by the owner, there are thousands of people out there who want it more. In reality, the only way to truly protect computer data is to disconnect it from any computer networks, turn it off and then put it in a locked room. This, however, has the effect of somewhat limiting the computer's usefulness. Fortunately, there are a few ways these risks can be offset.

• Passwords

Make use of the built in password protection most operating systems have to offer. Also consider what is chosen as a password. Don't pick a dictionary word, a pet's name or any other easy to guess string. Mix some numbers and punctuation in there, if the system will allow it.

• Physical Protection

Reformatting a hard disc does not remove the data from it. Data recovery techniques can get the data back from a full format within 24 hours. When a PC is sold, the data must be securely erased. If unsure how to do this, it's time to speak to the local geek again.

• Conclusion

Manufacturers and software writers have spent thousands of man-hours considering data recovery and protection. There are systems in place to make things as secure and durable as possible, but if these systems are not used, it is possible private data will be available for anyone who wants to help themselves. It is advisable to spend at least a little time checking what is available for a particular system and seek advice from a professional or more knowledgeable person if needed.

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