On the other hand, the home users may lose personal data such as photographs, music collections, income tax statements, financial records etc.

The reasons for loss of data may be many. Let us have a look at some of the top causes of data loss and how can one prevent them.

Causes of Data Loss

Hardware Failure

Hardware failure is one of the most common causes of data loss. The most common among hardware failures is damage to the read/ write head of the hard disk or head crash. This leads to the scratching of the surface of the hard disk plates, causing permanent loss of data.

Precaution: The possible failure of hard drive head can be detected by a scratching or similar sound emanating from the hard drive. Other components of the hard drive may fail as well making the data present on it inaccessible. To prevent such loss of data, one should prevent exposure of the hard drive to moist or hot conditions and also avoid shocks in the form of falls, etc.

Human Errors

Human errors as well are one of the prominent reasons for loss of data. These can be in the form of accidental deletion of files, accidental format of a particular drive etc. In many cases, the data that has been lost due to such reasons can be recovered by making use of the proper data recovery software. (This is true only if the data has not been overwritten.)

Precaution: However, to prevent the same, one should be careful while handling important files present on your computer. Also, one should not perform operations such as installation of applications, changing settings of some application etc. without sufficient knowledge about the same.

Software Corruption

The corruption of data can be caused due to use of bad quality software. The corruption may occur while backing up the data onto a data storage medium such as a CD or while copying data from one location to another.

Precaution: In order to avoid such data loss, one should ensure that the software that is used is of a good quality. Also, backing up your important data regularly provides an additional measure of safety.

Viruses and Other Malicious Codes

Almost all of the computer users fear the attack of viruses on their system. They may lead to loss of data in a variety of ways. For example, some viruses may overwrite the data present on your computer with random binary sequences thus leading to permanent loss of data. Others may target specific files that are present in your computer. Some others may modify the files that enable a computer to boot thus creating hassles in start-up of the computer.

Precaution: To prevent the attack of a virus on a computer, one should install a good antivirus software. Also, one should update the same regularly. Before using the files or applications present on removable storage media, the same should be scanned for viruses by making use of the above-mentioned software.

Natural and Man-made Disasters

Although loss of data due to such disasters is uncommon, when it takes place, it may result in the loss of large amount of data. Natural disasters including floods, storms, earthquakes, volcanoes etc and man-made disasters including fires, power surges or failures, etc, may result in the loss of data that has been stored in the affected areas.

Precaution: In most of the cases, loss of data due to disasters cannot be avoided. As a safety measure, multiple backups of the data should be stored in separate locations apart from the one where the data has been originally stored. To prevent loss of data due to power surges and failures, a UPS system can be used.

Intentional Sabotage of Data

In the recent years, hacking or sabotage of data present in a computer or local network has been one of the reasons for data loss. This is different from viruses in the sense that it targets specific users rather than random ones. Usually, computers put to commercial use are targeted rather than the ones used at home.

Precaution: To prevent such attacks, one should have an efficient security system installed on your computer or local network.

The Final Word

Backing up your important data on removable data storage media or making use of remote backup services is one way in which loss of data can be avoided. So, preserve your data to save your business. All the best!
James Walsh is a freelance writer and copy editor. If you are concerned about data loss and would like more information on Data Recovery see www.fields-data-recovery.co.uk