Keep your data safe and secure

It is safe to assume that almost all computer users have suffered from data loss once or twice. This data loss may happen for various reasons such as the followings:
1. Accidental press of the delete button following with the enter button while a file is selected.
2. Right click and clicking on the delete button.
3. Emptying recycle bin or trash without checking its contents.
4. Accidental formatting of a partition.
5. Operating System Failure.
6. Write fail while transferring data.
7. Removal of storage media without proper safety removal.
8. Power loss.
9. Power loss during data transfer.
10. Voltage up down during data transfer.
11. Virus or worm attack.
12. Physical damage to the hard disk drive.

As there are many ways for data to be lost, one cannot be too careful about it but still some cautions can be taken. Following are some simple tips.
1. Right click on the recycle bin and click on properties. There make sure that all of your partitions are given enough space for recycling. In this way if you accidentally delete a file, it will be stored in recycle bin from where you can restore it.
2. Make sure the check box labeled “Display delete confirmation dialog” is checked. When checked it shows you a confirmation dialog box when you press the delete button.
3. Press Shift + Delete only when you are sure that you want the file to be completely deleted without sending it to the recycle bin.
4. Back up your important data all the time.
5. Windows provide an option called system restore point. Through this option, windows system can be restored to a previous condition in case of any operating system failure or software malfunction. System restore does not hamper stored data.
6. Before formatting a partition, make sure that all the necessary data are backed up.
7. Do not remove storage media without proper removal. For storage media that use FAT32 or FAT file system, data loss is not common. But for those storage media which use NTFS file system, safe removal is necessary. Otherwise data loss is possible.
8. Do not remove storage media when you are transferring data from it or to it.
9. Make sure your computer has a voltage stabilizer and power back up system.
10. Use an anti-virus and keep it updated.
11. Keep your computer away from physical harm.

Well, these measures should keep your data secure. But it is still possible to fall victim to data loss. In that case, it is still possible to retrieve the data. When a data is lost it is not lost forever. It is only made inaccessible by removing its exact location. This can be fixed through using data recovery for Mac and Windows software which will find the lost data for you and show you a list from which you can chose which data to restore and which one to discard. There are free versions, trial versions and commercial purchase version that are available in the internet.