3 Tips to Avoid Data Loss

Computers have become a natural way of life for many of us. With this convenience comes the possibility that your machine might crash, causing you to lose every piece of critical information you ever saved on it. The top three reasons computers crash are hard drive failures, registry damage and malware infections. With the prevalence of the internet, all three of these factors make you vulnerable to the loss of data. In order to save yourself the time, money and effort it takes to recover from a disaster, you must how these situations may occur and what can be done to prevent them.

#1- Store Data in Different Locations

Most data is loss when the operating system or the hard disk on it fails. This is why you should create at least two partitions if you only have one hard disk on your system. It would be a good idea to store Windows in the first partition and all of your data in the second partition. This reduces the chances of losing your data if the Windows system happens to fail. Another option is to implement an additional hard disk on your system and store files on the new disk. This will protect your data if Windows or the original hard disk fails.

There are also other methods of prevention that can be performed to keep your data secure. Make sure to regularly use the Disk Cleanup utility in Windows to sweep up unwanted files and fragments from your system. You can also run the Disk Defragmenter tool every now and then to consolidate your files and increase the data access time on your hard disk.

# 2 - Stay Clear of Malware

One of the biggest threats to your data is malicious software, more commonly known as malware. Viruses, Trojans and worms are all on the prowl and can be secretly installed on your system in a number of ways. These destructive programs create a large number of unwanted and harmful entries in your registry, often causing system crashes and compromising multiple machines. This is why you need to protect your computer with reliable security software. A quality anti-malware program is a must these days, along with firewall components. Additionally, you can use a registry cleaning tool to sweep out all of the file remnants left behind from uncomplete installations and malicious entries.

There are number of quality products readily available on the internet to keep your data safe. Security vendors such as McAfee and Symantec offer some of the best programs to protect you against the common threat of malware. There are also many cleaning utilities specifically designed for your Windows registry.

# 3 - Backup Your Data

The most effective way to avoid the loss of data is to create frequent backups of your files. If this information is of any importance, your backup system must be reliable and used on a regular schedule. The many available storage options allow you to store data on mediums like CDs, DVDs, pen drives, external disk drives, tapes and online storage providers. If this data is really sensitive, it is important to store at least two copies of it and keep at least one copy in secured offsite location.

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In 2003, more than 10 million Americans fell victim to identity theft.

Identity theft costs business and individuals $53 billion dollars annually

In 2003, Americans spent 300 million hours resolving issues related to identity theft.

70% of all identity theft cases are perpetrated by a co-worker or employee of an affiliated business.