Data Security Suite

Top 10 Tips To Protect Your Data

1. Backup
2. Invest in a backup strategy
3. Verify your backed up data
4. Purchase a uninterruptible power supply
5. Only shut off external drives after shutting down the computer
6. Get a antivirus/malware security protection program.
7. Don’t move a drive while it is powered on.
8. Give your devices space to operate
9. Don’t turn on devices unless they are room temperature
10. Listen to your devices if it sounds off turn it off

This list helps prevent some of the most common causes of data loss.

1. Backup

Your backup is your first defense against a failure on your computer or device. always keep a current copy of your data on a secondary storage device. Test and verify your backups regularly. Keep at least one verified copy off site and secured.

2. Invest in a backup strategy

Having a backup is the best defense against failure as noted but you have to have a good backup plan and solution for your backup because if you just leave it to you remembering to backup well that’s not going to work out to well. You need to decide what strategy is best for your backup needs. You could go with a consumer plan that is a set it and forget option or you may need a more complex option if you have a more advanced setup and need. consult with GEFNET your computer IT specialist to find out what would work best for you.

3. Verify your backed up data

Backed up data is pointless if it’s not going to actually restore when it’s needed so you need to verify your backup after you create it and then periodically and especially before performing any system upgrades. You do this by trying to restore certain files from different parts of the backup. if you can do this then your backup is most likely good to go.

4. Purchase a uninterruptible power supply

Commonly called a (UPS) for all your computer equipment to protect against power spikes, blackouts, and other power issues will help avoid the sudden loss of power to your devices which can cause data loss or corrupt drives or even Operating System Failure after the power is restored. A UPS is designed to give you time to shutdown your devices during a power loss/failure event.

5. Only shut off external drives after shutting down the computer

If you shut off your external drives while the computer is on it could cause a write error to the directory or the structure of the directory which in turn would corrupt the whole drive. Only turn off any external drives or USB/Flash drives after a computer is shutdown or you safely eject them after you are finished with them.

6. Get a antivirus/malware security protection program.

This may seem like a no-brainer but it’s surprising how many people still think it’s irrelevant to them some may say “Well I don’t do anything ‘Risky’ or I’m not on the computer enough to worry about that.” It doesn’t matter what you do or how long you’re on the computer if it’s online MAC or PC you need some type of protection and the type of protection does matter. Subscribe to the automatic update feature to limit the opportunity of being infected by a new virus or malware threat. This may mean having to purchase a software subscription. But do your due diligence and make sure it’s a reputable company that can offer the protection you need.

7. Don’t move a drive while it is powered on.

Physical damage could occur to a drive if you move it while it is powered on. Drives today are not as susceptible to damage as they once were but you still need to take precaution when handling your drives.

8. Give your devices space to operate

Your computer and other devices use a lot of power and do get heated but they also have ways to keep themselves cool as well but you need to help keep your devices from overheating by giving them space to breathe. Making sure there is enough room for air circulation will make sure it doesn’t overheat.

9. Don’t turn on devices unless they are room temperature

If you have your device in a cold environment (i.e. you left your laptop in your car overnight in the middle of winter) before your turn it on when you bring it in make sure it is at room temperature because you could cause damage to electrical components by the condensation or the “sweat” of the device coming up to room temperature.

10. Listen to your devices if it sounds off turn it off

After having our devices for a while we become familiar with the sounds and the noise the device makes if that becomes different or concerning you should not ignore it that is a sign of a potential mechanical problem that could result in data loss. Turn off the machine and do not turn it back on because it could further damage the device contact GEFNET your local computer repair specialist.

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