protecting your electronic devices and data from heat.

Our electronics are sensitive to extreme temperatures. As summer temperatures surge, it is important to protect your devices and data from overheating.
Heat can slow performance, shorten lifespan, and even cause irreversible damage to your device, resulting in data loss. 

Devices often find themselves in hot cars under the blazing sun, heating up more than usual. For example, on a sunny day, if you park a car outside:
- If the temperature outside is 70ºF, the car's interior can heat up to 113ºF after 1 hour.
- If the temperature outside is between 80ºF and 100ºF, the car's internal temperature can reach a scorching 130ºF to 172ºF.

While many electronics are designed to withstand temperatures up to 176ºF, the recommended temperature limit is 95ºF. Consistently high temperatures can lead to permanent damage to your device. Electronic components, including HDDs, SSDs, chips, batteries, resistors, capacitors, and inductors, are all at risk of failure caused by heat.

what happens when your devices overheat.

Understanding how heat affects our electronics is crucial to prevent potential damage.
The consequences of exposing devices to excessive heat include:

• slowing down.

When your electronic devices are exposed to prolonged high temperatures, the internal components, including the central processing unit (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU), may have to work harder to function properly. This increased workload can cause the device to operate at reduced frequencies to dissipate heat and prevent damage, resulting in slower response times and overall performance degradation.
In smartphones, for example, the CPU and GPU may throttle their speeds to lower levels when the device detects excessive heat. As a consequence, your phone may not be as snappy as usual, apps may take longer to open, and multitasking can become sluggish.
Similarly, laptops and computers can suffer from heat-induced slowdowns. In some cases, the CPU may reduce its clock speed to maintain lower temperatures, leading to delayed processing and rendering times. This can result in apps freezing or crashing, and the overall system responsiveness may be noticeably impaired.

• shorter lifespan.

The impact of frequent overheating on the lifespan of electronic devices is significant. When devices experience prolonged exposure to high temperatures, the delicate internal circuitry, such as chips, transistors, and other semiconductor elements, can suffer from thermal stress. This stress causes the materials to expand and contract repeatedly, leading to micro-cracks and gradual deterioration over time.
When a battery in a smartphone or laptop is exposed to high heat, the chemical reactions inside the battery can accelerate, causing the battery to degrade faster and lose its capacity to hold a charge.
Other crucial parts, such as capacitors and resistors, are also susceptible to heat-induced wear and tear. The increased temperature can cause these components to degrade or fail prematurely, further contributing to the overall reduction in the device's lifespan.

• battery problems 

Lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in smartphones, laptops, and other portable devices, are at risk of heat. The chemistry of lithium-ion batteries is highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations, making them particularly vulnerable to overheating. When the battery temperature exceeds safe levels, the internal chemical reactions become more energetic and less stable, leading to the generation of excess heat and pressure within the battery cells. As a consequence, the battery may start to swell which can potentially result in distorted or cracked casings. In extreme cases, the pressure build-up can cause the battery to leak harmful chemicals, posing safety risks to both the device and the user.
Heat-induced stress can also accelerate battery wear, reducing the overall capacity and lifespan of the battery. Frequent exposure to high temperatures can lead to a gradual decline in the battery's ability to hold a charge, necessitating more frequent charging and resulting in reduced device runtime.
For optimal performance, keep lithium batteries between 68°F and 77°F. 

• computer chip issues.

Computer chip issues resulting from overheating can have a profound impact on the performance and reliability of electronic devices. The components within computer chips, such as transistors, operate based on the flow of electrical signals. As the temperature rises, thermal leakage occurs, causing electrons to leak through the transistor gates, even when they are supposed to be in the "off" state. This phenomenon leads to an unnecessary power consumption known as leakage power, wasting energy and generating more heat.
As the temperature continues to increase, the distinction between the "on" and "off" states of the transistors becomes blurred, affecting the chip's logic functions. This can result in errors, data corruption, or even complete system crashes, rendering the device non-responsive until it cools down and the chip can operate within its intended parameters again.

• self-protection.

Self-protection mechanisms in devices that forcibly limit their performance during overheating are essential for preventing potential heat-related damage. However, this precautionary measure can result in reduced performance and responsiveness, making the device less reliable and impacting user experience.

• data loss.

Data loss due to overheating is a significant concern for electronic devices, particularly with storage drives like hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs). Excessive heat can compromise the integrity of the drive's sensitive components, leading to potential data corruption or even permanent damage. When the temperature inside the drive reaches or exceeds the critical threshold, which is generally around 160°F, it can cause the drive's magnetic platters (in HDDs) or memory cells (in SSDs) to become unstable. In such extreme conditions, the risk of data loss becomes heightened, and vital files, documents, or cherished photos may become inaccessible or irretrievable.

• physical damage.

Extreme heat can lead to physical damage to your devices. As temperatures rise well above the recommended limits, certain components within the device become vulnerable to irreversible harm. One of the most common consequences of extreme heat is the melting or warping of plastic and metal parts, which can crack the device's casing, compromise the overall functionality and appearance of the device, leading to expensive repairs or replacements.
Additionally, the excessive heat can cause connections within the device to weaken or break, leading to electrical failures and potential malfunctions. Soldered joints, circuit board traces, and connectors may all suffer under prolonged exposure to high temperatures, resulting in a variety of issues, from intermittent functionality to complete device failure.

• screen damage.

Screen damage due to excessive heat is a common issue that can greatly impact the visual quality and usability of electronic devices. The display panels in phones, tablets, and laptops are typically composed of intricate layers and delicate components that are sensitive to temperature fluctuations. When exposed to high temperatures, these display panels may experience  various forms of heat damage, such as discoloration, diminish screen brightness, and in severe cases,  'ghosting' or permanent burn-in issues.

Prolonged exposure to heat can cause discoloration when the display's colors become distorted or faded, leading to an unnatural and unsightly visual experience. 
The overall brightness of the screen may also diminish, making it challenging to view content, especially in well-lit environments.
In severe cases, the screen may develop "ghosting" or permanent burn-in issues. Ghosting occurs when a faint afterimage of a previously displayed image persists on the screen, even when the content changes. 
Burn-in, on the other hand, is the permanent retention of an image or pattern on the screen due to prolonged exposure. 
Both ghosting and burn-in can be particularly bothersome, affecting the device's readability and overall display performance.

• cooling issues.

As devices operate, they generate heat as a natural byproduct of their internal processes. To dissipate this heat and maintain optimal operating temperatures, devices rely on the surrounding cooler air to absorb and carry away the excess heat.
However, when the surrounding air is already hot, the device has to work even harder to cool down. This vicious cycle leads to further heating, exacerbating the cooling issues and potentially pushing the device's internal temperature to unsafe levels.

tips to protect your devices from overheating.

Following these tips can help ensure that your electronics survive the summer heatwave:

• keep devices cool.

To ensure the optimal functioning of your electronic devices and prevent overheating, it is important to keep them cool by following a few key practices. 

Storing your devices in well-ventilated areas with stable temperatures is crucial. Adequate airflow plays a significant role in dissipating heat generated during device operation. 

In situations where using your device outside is inescapable, it is essential to avoid exposing your devices to direct sunlight and heat sources, as prolonged exposure can rapidly elevate the temperature and lead to overheating. Instead, find a shaded area when using your device outdoors and try to minimize usage during peak sunlight hours when temperatures are at their highest.

• maintain airflow.

Proper airflow and ventilation can help your device stay cool, especially during extended usage. 

Most electronic devices have vents located on the back or side. Avoid obstructing these vents and position your device near a fan or air conditioner whenever possible.
When using a laptop, avoid placing it on a soft surface such as a bed or rug, as it can block the bottom vents and cause overheating. Switch to a hard surface that allows the vents to displace the hot air.
Remember that hot air rises, so keeping your devices lower will benefit from cooler air.

Consider using cooling pads or stands with fans to help dissipate heat from your computer.
When in a car, position your phone or laptop near the air conditioning vent to allow air to blow over your devices.

• limit usage.

To prevent excessive heat buildup and potential overheating of your electronic devices, limit usage during hot weather. This means reducing resource-intensive tasks that put a heavy load on your device's processor and other components, such as demanding video editing or gaming sessions, as they generate more heat. Instead, opt for performing these tasks during cooler times of the day when ambient temperatures are lower.

• enable power-saving features.

By activating power-saving features, you can optimize energy usage, which in turn helps to reduce the heat output of your device. 

Lowering the screen brightness is one such power-saving feature that not only conserves battery life but also reduces the heat emitted by the display. 

Additionally, disabling unnecessary background processes and apps can significantly contribute to heat reduction. Background processes consume system resources, including the processor, which generates heat. 

Moreover, adjusting power settings to enable sleep or standby modes when the device is not actively used can also contribute to heat reduction.

• choose suitable cases.

When selecting cases for your electronic devices, it is important to choose suitable ones that not only provide protection but also allow for proper heat dissipation to prevent overheating. Additionally, when it is hot, it is advisable to remove cases when your devices are not at risk of damage, allowing them to benefit from natural heat dissipation and maintain optimal temperature regulation.

• don't stack devices.

Don't stack devices on top of each other, as this can compound heat generation. Electronics naturally produce heat during operation, and stacking them can hinder proper heat dissipation, leading to elevated temperatures. Ensure there is sufficient space between your devices, ideally keeping them at least 2-3 inches apart to allow for effective airflow and heat dispersion.

• avoid hot cars.

Your car's interior can get significantly hotter than the outside temperature. It is essential to prioritize the safety of your electronic devices by keeping them out of hot cars to maintain their functionality and prevent potential damage.

• monitor battery charging.

for phones:
Aim to charge them to 60-80% capacity rather than 100%. The higher voltage at 100% charging could increase the risk of thermal runaway and encourage dendrite growth, making the battery combustible.
for laptops:
It's best to run the battery down to about 40% before plugging it back in. Repeat this process to help extend your laptop's battery life for anywhere from 1,200 to 2,000 cycles.
To minimize heat buildup, it is recommended to unplug chargers and turn off power strips when they are not in use.

• monitor temperature.

It is advisable to utilize temperature monitoring tools, which can provide real-time data on the heat levels of your devices. These tools offer valuable insights into how your devices are performing thermally and help you identify any abnormal spikes in temperature. If you notice that your device is running hotter than usual or nearing its critical temperature threshold, it is crucial to shut it down to prevent any potential damage caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures.

• keep devices clean.

Keeping devices clean is essential for maintaining their cooling efficiency. Internal fans play a vital role in dissipating heat, and any obstruction caused by dust or pet hair accumulation can impede their performance, leading to potential overheating. Regularly using a can of compressed air to clean out the dust and ensuring that all vents remain clear will help optimize airflow and prevent heat-related issues, ensuring your devices operate smoothly and reliably.

• switching off devices when not in use.

Switching off your devices when they are not in use not only conserves energy but also helps in reducing heat buildup. Even in standby mode, electronic devices can generate some heat, which, over time, can contribute to increased temperatures within the device. By completely powering off your devices when they are not needed, you can effectively minimize unnecessary heat generation and extend the overall lifespan of your electronics.

• emergency shutdown.

If your device starts overheating, immediately power it down and unplug it to prevent potential damage. Emergency shutdown is a crucial step to interrupt the heat generation process and allow the device to start cooling down. Remove any case or covering to facilitate better heat dissipation, and wait until the device is no longer hot to touch to ensure it has reached a safe temperature before attempting to use it again.

• make sure your apps are updated.

To prevent overheating issues and ensure optimal performance, it is crucial to regularly update your apps, as software updates often include bug fixes and improvements that can help address heat-related issues in your device.

• backup data.

Regularly backing up your data to external storage or the cloud is essential as it safeguards your valuable information in case of device failure caused by excessive heat.

what to do if your device is damaged by heat.

In case your storage media has been damaged by extreme heat: 

1. Do not try to operate a device that has been subjected to heat damage.
   Trying to operate laptops, desktops and other devices that may have been damaged by heat may cause further damage within the device’s hard drive.
   

2. Contact a professional data recovery expert immediately.
   Recovering data from heat damaged devices requires a unique set of skills, therefore it is best to trust the experts with recovering any critical data.
   

3. Consider any available backup data.
   Having data readily available can make all the difference, so it may be helpful to proactively create a recovery plan in the event of heat damage. Keep your location in mind when estimating the opportunity for heat damage from natural incidents such as wildfires or extreme summer temperatures. It’s also important to remember that there’s no time like the present to back up your data. 

If your device is potentially damaged due to extreme heat, Kotar data recovery experts have tools and expertise to help you retrieve your precious memories and important data.

keep your data secure during the summer travel season.

Summer season is here, which means more time for vacations and traveling. With remote and hybrid work, many individuals will be taking calls, answering emails or collaborating with teams while on the go. Although working wherever you want may be convenient for your personal or business travel plans, it's critical to be aware of potential cyber threats when using devices both en route and at your destination.
In today's interconnected world, where technology and data accompanies us wherever we go, it's important to be mindful of cybersecurity risks, especially while traveling. Whether you're embarking on a relaxing vacation or traveling for business, your data's security is always at risk.

tips to protect your data and maintain cybersecurity while on the move.

By following these tips, you can significantly enhance the security of your data and protect yourself from potential cybersecurity threats while on the move.  

1. update your devices.

Before you depart, ensure that all your devices, including smartphones, laptops, and tablets, have the latest software updates and security patches installed. These updates often contain crucial bug fixes and security enhancements.

2. use reputable security software.

Install and regularly update antivirus or security software on your devices. This software can detect and mitigate various types of malware and malicious activities.

3. use strong passwords.

Create complex, unique passwords for each device and online account. Avoid using common passwords or easily guessable information. Consider using a password manager to securely store and manage your passwords. 

4. enable two-factor authentication (2FA).

Activate 2FA whenever possible for your online accounts such as email, social media, and online banking. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a secondary verification step, such as biometric authentication like a fingerprint scan or facial recognition, a unique code sent to your mobile device, or an authentication app, in addition to your password, to access your accounts.

5. secure your internet connection.

Public Wi-Fi networks, such as those found in airports, hotels, and cafes, are convenient but often insecure. Hackers can easily intercept your data on these networks, potentially compromising your personal information. Avoid accessing sensitive information or conducting financial transactions on public networks. Consider using a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet traffic and protect your data from potential prying eyes.
VPNs are essential tools for safeguarding your online activities while traveling.

6. disable automatic Wi-Fi connections.
Configure your devices to not automatically connect to Wi-Fi networks. This prevents your device from unknowingly connecting to malicious or insecure networks.

7. be cautious with public USB or charging stations.

Hackers can exploit these stations to gain unauthorized access to people's personal or business data. Instead, charge your devices using wall outlets and consider carrying a portable charger while traveling.

8. encrypt your sensitive data.

Encryption protects your data in case your device gets lost or stolen. It ensures that even if your devices fall into the wrong hands, your data remains unreadable and unusable. Additionally, encryption safeguards your personal information, such as financial details and login credentials, from potential hackers and cybercriminals who may target you. Enable full disk encryption or use encrypted storage solutions to safeguard your sensitive data.

9. be cautious of phishing attempts.

Cybercriminals often employ social engineering techniques to manipulate unsuspecting travelers. Be cautious of unsolicited requests for personal information and remain vigilant against suspicious emails, messages or phone calls that attempt to trick you into sharing sensitive information. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.

10. keep minimalistic digital presence.
Traveling provides a great opportunity to reassess your digital footprint. Before your trip, review and delete unnecessary files, apps, and personal information from your devices. The less sensitive data you carry with you, the lower the risk of loss or compromise.

 11. keep personal and work data separate.
It may be tempting to check your business email from your personal device, but this can be risky and potentially compromise secure information. Personal devices lack the IT infrastructure of a business laptop or mobile phone, so it's best to avoid mixing personal and work-related data to maintain security.

12. regularly monitor your financial accounts.
Even with all the precautions, it's still wise to keep a close eye on your financial accounts while traveling. Regularly check your bank statements, credit card transactions, and any other financial activity to promptly detect and report any unauthorized charges or suspicious activity promptly.

13. back up your critical data.

Regularly backing up your critical data to an external device or the cloud is essential as it provides an additional layer of protection against data loss due to device theft, damage, or unexpected technical failures. Having a backup ensures that even if your device is compromised, your important files are securely stored and easily retrievable. This allows you to resume your activities without disruption and minimizes the impact of potential data loss.

14. secure your physical documents.
While focusing on digital security, it's crucial not to overlook the safety of physical documents. Keep important documents such as passports, tickets, and identification in a secure place like a hotel safe or a hidden compartment in your luggage. Consider making digital copies and securely storing them in the cloud as a backup.

15. stay informed.

Stay updated on the latest cybersecurity best practices and emerging threats. Be cautious when sharing personal information online and stay informed about new techniques cybercriminals may employ.

caution pays off.

In an era where cybersecurity threats loom large, being proactive and vigilant is essential, especially when traveling. By implementing cybersecurity measures, you can significantly reduce the risks of losing your valuable data and enjoy your journey with greater peace of mind. 

Remember, it's not just the physical world that requires caution, the virtual world demands equal attention. That being said, safeguard your devices, protect your data, and stay one step ahead of cybercriminals, even when exploring the farthest corners of the world. In the event of any data loss or security concerns, act promptly.

Unfortunately, despite taking precautions, unforeseen disasters can still occur, leading to potential data loss or damage. In the event of any data loss or security concerns, it is essential to act promptly and reach out to data recovery or cybersecurity experts as soon as possible. Continuing to use the affected device or attempting DIY recovery methods can potentially worsen the situation.

Kotar Data Recovery team of experts is here to help you recover your critical data promptly and efficiently while prioritizing its security and confidentiality.

Safe travels!

data destruction.

The large volume of data managed by individuals and companies, combined with the increasing frequency of data breaches, the short lifespan of IT assets and the need to securely dispose of the data we don't need anymore have highlighted the importance of safe and effective data destruction procedures, making data erasure a topic of public concern.

Data destruction is particularly important in industries that deal with sensitive information, such as healthcare, finance, and government. It is also important for individuals who want to protect their personal information, such as bank account details, social security numbers, and passwords.

data is a valuable commodity.

In our increasingly interconnected digital world, we generate vast amounts of data, fueling the exponential growth of digital information worldwide.
Data has become one of the most valuable commodities. Therefore, it is no surprise that business information is a prime target for cybercriminals and hackers who seek to extort money or sell it to the highest bidder.
Personal information is also frequently targeted by fraudsters to commit financial fraud, identity theft, file bogus tax returns, collect government benefits, and more.

Cybersecurity is thus critical in protecting data from breaches. While many internet users take measures to secure their information while using it, they may assume that deleting it is sufficient to protect their privacy. However, the truth is that important information can still be recovered even after it has been deleted by the user.
To safeguard your privacy in today's digital world, data destruction is essential.

data destruction methods.

As the need for secure and compliant management of user data throughout its lifecycle continues to grow, three primary data destruction practices have emerged:

• erasure.

This technique involves overwriting the bits of information with binary patterns of zeros and ones. Writing new data on top of old erases the old material and renders anything left completely unreadable. 

The goal is to securely, completely, and permanently delete or destroy data from a storage device,  and ensure that it cannot be recovered or accessed by unauthorized users. 

Unlike traditional techniques that may damage the device, data overwriting is software-based, and after overwriting all the data on a digital storage device, the functionalities of the machine remain intact.

Targeted data erasure is used to destroy a specific file, folder, or data from a given location, while leaving the rest of the data intact.

Data overwriting can be used to destroy data stored on any digital storage media device, including laptops, PCs, mobile devices, removable media, drives, and cloud environments. It is an essential step in any secure hardware discard or decommissioning procedure.

On the negative side, overwriting an entire high-capacity drive can take a long time, and it only works if the storage media is not damaged and can still be written to.

• degaussing.

This process requires specialized equipment called a degausser, which creates a strong magnetic field around the hard disk drive, demagnetizing it and destroying the data in the process. As a result, both the data and the device become unusable.

When applied to magnetic storage media such as hard disks or magnetic tape, degaussing can quickly and effectively clean entire storage media. However, this process also has two major disadvantages:

- it leaves the hard disk drive inoperable by physically disrupting its delicate interconnected mechanisms, and because the drive is inoperable, there's no way to run it to verify that all data is destroyed.

- it doesn't erase data from non-magnetic media such as solid-state drives.

• physical destruction.

This method involves physically destroying data by shredding, drilling, melting, etc. that renders physical storage media unusable and unreadable. It is used when you don't need to reuse the media.

Unfortunately, physical destruction comes with problems as well:  

- it is prone to human error and manipulation because there is no reliable way to audit the physical destruction process.

- most methods of physical destruction leave large portions of the drive platter intact, even if the drive is inoperable and data could still be recovered using forensic methods - only pulverizing the disk to particles ensures the data is irrecoverable.

advantages of data erasure. 

1. it keeps you safe from data breaches.

Data breaches can have severe financial and reputational consequences for companies, as they can result in the loss of valuable data and a significant monetary cost. Therefore, it is crucial to apply appropriate data erasure methods to securely and permanently delete data from storage devices. By doing so, you can reduce the risk of data breaches and protect sensitive information from being accessed or recovered by unauthorized users.

2. it assures compliance.

Following data erasure standards can provide several benefits. 

First, it can give you peace of mind knowing that the data has been permanently erased and cannot be recovered. Additionally, data erasure standards often come with certificates of erasure, which can be valuable for compliance purposes. These certificates can demonstrate that your organization meets data protection regulations and can help you avoid fines and penalties for non-compliance.

3. it is environmentally friendly.

Data erasure is an environmentally friendly method of data destruction. By securely and permanently deleting data from storage devices, the devices can be safely repurposed, donated, or sold without risking the exposure of sensitive information. This can help reduce electronic waste and prolong the useful life of the devices, ultimately reducing the environmental impact of electronic waste disposal.

4. it utilizes resources effectively.

Disposing of hardware assets that are no longer in use requires proper procedures and infrastructure, which can result in additional expenses on top of the cost of replacing the devices. However, by properly erasing data from these devices, you can significantly reduce the costs of disposing of them. Data erasure can be performed on-site, eliminating the need to transport machines with sensitive information and reducing the costs associated with moving them.

false beliefs of data destruction.

1. deleting is a safe method of getting rid of information from a storage device.

Wrong: deleting is a highly unsafe method and can lead to data leakage and breaches.

When you delete files from your storage media and send them to the recycle bin or trash, or use the Shift + Delete command, the data becomes inaccessible to you, and you can no longer see it in the system. You may believe that it has been permanently destroyed, but this is not the case.

The deleted files remain stored on your disk, whether it's an HDD, SSD, or other external storage device. Deleting only removes the pointers to the deleted data and marks the space as ready for reuse. Although you may not be able to see it any longer, it can be recovered easily using freely available data recovery software, for example: a DIY free data recovery software can even recover deleted files emptied from the Recycle Bin.

Therefore, deleting is an unsafe method to get rid of files, especially if you are giving away your old PC, laptop, or drive, selling it off in the secondary market, or donating it for charitable reasons. You need to erase all your data first to ensure that the old data does not haunt you.

2. formatting a device helps erase data permanently from drives and devices.

Wrong: formatting the device does not delete or remove your stored data permanently and can lead to data leakage and breach.

Formatting is a process of wiping the storage partition table and unlinking the data in the file system. It re-indexes the file system for reusing the drive.

However, formatting does not completely erase the data from the storage device. It makes the data invisible and inaccessible to you and may give you a false sense of security. Technically, the data still remains on the HDD or SSD, and it can be recovered using a data recovery software.

Therefore, if you want to ensure that the data is completely erased beyond recovery, especially when you want to sell, donate your old computer or discard it, you should be aware that formatting your hard disk is not a secure option.

3. solid-state drives (SSDs) can be erased the same way as hard drives HDDs).

Wrong: you can not erase SSDs the same way as HDDs.

HDDs use spinning magnetic platters to store data, with a movable magnetic head used to write data. To remove data from HDDs, data erasure software can be used to overwrite existing data. Alternatively, when HDDs reach the end of their life, degaussing can be used to destroy the data by removing its magnetism.

Neither of these methods is suitable for SSDs.

Unlike HDDs, SSDs do not have movable parts and store data on NAND flash memory chips. Overwriting an SSD can reduce its lifespan due to the limited number of write cycles that NAND flash memory chips have. Additionally, SSDs do not contain magnetic components, so degaussing is not effective for SSDs.

According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), to destroy SSDs effectively, they recommend the following methods:

• overwrite with a single pass (NIST clear method). 

This method involves overwriting the entire SSD once with a pattern of 0s and 1s, effectively destroying the original data. This ensures that all the data, including the system areas, hidden sectors, and any spare blocks, is overwritten with the same pattern.

The NIST clear method is designed specifically for SSDs, as they have a limited number of write cycles and overwriting an SSD multiple times can reduce its lifespan.

• use block erase or cryptographic erase (NIST purge method).

Block Erase: Block erase method is a technique that erases all the data from an SSD by targeting entire blocks of memory instead of individual memory locations. The blocks are overwritten with a fixed pattern to ensure that the data is not recoverable. This method is faster than overwriting individual locations, and it also helps extend the life of the SSD by reducing the number of write cycles.

Cryptographic Erase: Cryptographic erase method, also known as crypto erase, is a technique that uses encryption keys to scramble the data stored on the SSD. The encryption key is then deleted, which makes the data unreadable and irrecoverable. This method is highly secure as it ensures that the data is completely destroyed, and there is no chance of recovery. However, it can take longer than block erase, and the SSD must support cryptographic erase to use this method.

4. physical destruction of a device is the only safe way to destroy the data.

Wrong: physical destruction may not guarantee protection from forensic recovery techniques.

Many people believe that using physical destruction techniques like shredding, pulverizing, disintegrating, or incinerating can effectively eliminate data. Yet, these methods are neither foolproof nor completely safe.

Storage devices are designed to be resilient and can retain data even under harsh conditions. State-of-the-art laboratory techniques make it possible to recover data from even the tiniest fragments of the storage media.

For example, shredding is a physical destruction method that involves disintegrating or severing the storage drive into smaller dimensions, typically ranging from 2 to 30 mm, rendering the data unrecoverable. The goal of this method is to destroy the storage media to a point where it becomes nearly impossible to read or extract the underlying data. However, there is still a possibility that shredding may leave behind some portions of the storage media, such as the platter, in a dimension that could allow forensic extraction of the data. Additionally, technical lapses can occur where a relatively small data storage element, such as the NAND chip in an SSD, might escape complete destruction or remain only partially destroyed. This opens up the possibility of data extraction in a professional data recovery lab.

5. free data erasure tools are as effective as paid ones.

Wrong: free data erasure tools are not as effective as paid ones.

There is a common misconception that any data erasure tool freely available in the market can securely wipe data beyond recovery.

One major drawback of free data erasure software is that it does not provide a guarantee that your data has been permanently removed. Additionally, such software may not always perform complete data sanitization as it may not wipe unmapped and hidden areas like HPA or DCO. Furthermore, free tools may not have the capability to erase advanced storage boxes like NAS and RAID servers.

Paid data erasure software, on the other hand, typically offers several benefits, including:

- higher level of data security: paid software is often more advanced and provides more comprehensive data sanitization, ensuring that all data is securely erased beyond recovery.

- tamper-proof certificates: paid software generates tamper-proof certificates of erasure that can be used as evidence of destruction, which is often required for compliance with data protection regulations.

- compliance with data protection laws: paid software is designed to comply with various data protection laws and regulations, such as GDPR, CCPA, SOX, GLBA, PCI-DSS, HIPAA, FACTA, etc.

- support for advanced storage devices: paid software is often equipped to erase advanced storage devices like NAS and RAID servers.

- technical support: paid software often comes with technical support, providing assistance in case of any issues during the data erasure process.

If you need assistance in restoring your lost, corrupted, accidentally deleted, or otherwise inaccessible data from your storage device, Kotar Data Recovery can help you with our cutting-edge data recovery techniques and 24 years of professional data recovery experience.

Additionally, we can also help you securely and permanently erase your sensitive data to ensure safe reuse of your storage media.

SSD health.

Most computers nowadays come with solid-state drives (SSDs).

This is because SSDs have several advantages over hard disk drives (HDDs): they are faster, quieter, smaller, more efficient, and consume less energy. However, they have a shorter lifespan and are still more expensive than HDDs.

Since SSDs don't have moving parts, they're very reliable and offer lower chances of failure than HDDs. Even so, as SSDs age, they will eventually fail.

This is just another reminder that it's essential to periodically back up all your files.

how long do SSDs last.

Unlike HDDs, SSDs have a limited number of possible writes before the drive enters read-only mode. This is due to the design of SSD hardware, which sacrifices durability for speed. However, most users don't need to worry about this issue as even enthusiastic home users will likely need several years to exhaust the write cycles of an SSD.

On average, most SSDs can last for over five years, while the most durable units can exceed ten years. The lifespan of your SSD will depend on how often you write data to it. You should keep an eye on the SSD's lifespan to determine when it's time to upgrade.

how can you estimate the remaining lifespan of your SSD?

1. using software.

If you want to estimate the remaining lifespan of your SSD, you can use software that tracks the drive's health, such as the manufacturer's proprietary software or free third-party tools. These programs can provide information about the drive's remaining lifespan, including how many write cycles it has gone through and how much data has been written to it. Keep in mind that these estimates are not always accurate, but they can give you a general idea of how much longer your SSD is likely to last.

On average, a modern SSD will survive until you've written about 700TB of data over its lifetime. Some may survive longer, some shorter. If you can see how much lifetime data you've written on your current SSD, you can estimate its remaining lifespan.

If you're around the 400TB mark, for example, then you know that you're more than halfway through the lifespan of the device. As you near 700TB, you'll want to think about getting a backup drive just in case. But in reality, it would take years of heavy use to even get close to that amount.

2. warranty and MTBF hours.

Most SSD manufacturers offer a warranty that can give you a rough estimate of how long your SSD will last at a minimum. While the warranty won't reveal the exact remaining life of your SSD, it can help you estimate the probability of its failure. For example, an SSD with a five-year warranty or 600TB TBW (total host writes) will likely last longer than an SSD with a three-year warranty or 200TB TBW.

Another factor to consider when estimating the lifespan of your SSD is the MTBF (mean time between failures) hours provided by the manufacturer in the spec sheet. This metric does not predict the exact lifespan of your SSD, but it does give you an idea of the probability of the SSD malfunctioning within the warranty period. For instance, if your SSD has an MTBF of 1 million hours, it means the probability of it failing is only 0.03% within the warranty years, even if you use it for at least eight hours every day. In other words, the higher the MTBF hours, the less likely your SSD is to malfunction.

how SSDs fail.

Unlike HDDs, SSDs do not have physical moving platters, making them immune to the mechanical failures associated with traditional hard disks. However, although SSDs are not susceptible to these types of issues, other components within the drive can still fail.

• SSDs require capacitors and power supplies, which are vulnerable to malfunctions, particularly in the case of a power surge or failure. In fact, SSDs have been known to corrupt existing data in the event of a power failure, even if the drive itself has not completely failed.

• The other potential issue with SSDs is that they have a limited number of read/write cycles, which is a common problem with all types of flash memory. Over time, the read/write cycle can affect the ability to write new data to the SSD.

how to check the health of an SSD.

While an HDD's constant whirring or ticking may indicate that it's failing, SSDs won't make any noise to alert you of a problem. So, how can you know if an SSD is failing?

testing programs.

There are now many SSD testing programs available on the market that can be used to check the health and performance of your SSD. The first thing that an SSD health check tool does is to evaluate the overall health of your SSD. Some SSD health check tools will display the current state of your SSD and provide you with a health status. Others can detect the number of bad sectors on your SSD, which can indicate the overall condition of the drive. Additionally, some SSD tools allow you to carry out garbage collection and adjust other parameters, which can improve the performance of the drive. Most SSD health check tools also provide options to optimize or tune your SSD to meet specific demands. However, it's important to note that certain optimizations may come at the cost of reduced storage capacity.

errors.

While figuring out if an SSD is failing can be difficult, there are some signs of SSD failure, such as errors, crashes, and other issues that may warn you before you lose your data.

1. errors involving bad blocks.

Similar to bad sectors on HDDs, SSDs can also have bad blocks. An SSD bad block error occurs when the computer tries to read or write a file, but the process takes an unusually long time and eventually fails. Due to the extended read or write time, the process ultimately fails and displays an error message regarding a bad block.

The common symptoms of bad blocks are: 

- inability to read or write a file to the drive
- the need to repair your PC/file system
- active applications frequently freezing up and crashing
- frequent errors when moving files
- generally slow performance, especially when accessing large files
- random crashes

If you observe any of these symptoms, the best approach is to run drive monitoring software to check the health of your SSD. If there are any issues, back up your files immediately and start looking for a replacement SSD.

2. files cannot be read or written.

There are two ways in which a bad block can affect your files:

• The system detects the bad block while writing data to the drive and thus refuses to write data. In this case, your data was never written to the drive, so it isn't corrupted. Usually, the system will resolve it automatically. However, if it doesn't, you can probably fix this by attempting to save the file in a different location or copying it to the cloud, restarting your computer, and then saving it back to your drive.

• The system detects the bad block after the data has been written, and thus it refuses to read that data. Unfortunately, in this case, retrieving your data won't be easy. A bad SSD block usually means that whatever data was stored on those blocks is lost for good. It is recommended to back up your important data regularly to prevent data loss in case of such an issue.

3. the file system needs repair.

Have you ever seen an error message like this on your screen on either Windows or macOS?

"It looks like Windows didn't load correctly. If you'd like to restart and try again, choose "Restart my PC" below. Otherwise, choose "See advanced repair options" for troubleshooting tools and advanced options. If you don't know which option is right for you, contact someone you trust to help with this."

Sometimes this can happen because you didn't shut down your computer properly.

Shutting down your system incorrectly can lead to errors on an SSD. Actually, unsafe shutdowns are one of the SSD health metrics - for example, if your SSD has experienced 21 unsafe shutdowns, this means that you have created the potential for a data error 21 times.

Often, these errors cannot be helped, but sometimes, they can be a sign of your SSD developing bad blocks or a problem in the connector port.

Thankfully, the resolution is easy. Windows, macOS, and Linux have built-in repair tools for a corrupt file system. Each OS will prompt you to run its respective tool upon such an error, so follow the steps and repair the file system.

4. frequent crashes during boot.

If your computer frequently crashes during the boot process but works fine after hitting the reset button a couple of times, this may indicate that your SSD is malfunctioning. It could be due to a bad block or a sign of a failing drive. It is crucial to back up your data immediately to prevent data loss.

To test if the drive is the issue, you can download and run one of the diagnostic tools mentioned earlier. If you have already backed up your data, you may also try formatting your SSD and reinstalling the operating system.

5. your drive becomes read-only.

This is a rare occurrence, but it is a clear indication that your SSD may be on the verge of failing.

When this happens, your SSD may not allow you to perform any tasks that involve writing data to the disk. However, it will still function in read-only mode. Your SSD may appear to be unresponsive, but fortunately, you can still recover your data if you act quickly. This is because your SSD is still allowing you to read the data on the drive, which means you can copy it to another drive.

Before you discard the SSD that you believe has failed, connect it to another computer as an external or secondary hard drive. Make sure that you don't boot the operating system from the SSD; you should use the main drive of the computer for this purpose. If you don't have access to another computer or laptop, you can run a Linux live distro from a USB on your existing machine. Booting an alternative operating system will prevent your SSD from attempting to launch the previous operating system, and it will allow you to access the read-only data on your failing SSD.

how to extend the life of your SSD.

SSDs aren't infallible and can sometimes fail before their expected lifespan.

If your SSD is showing signs of failure or if you've had it for over five years, it's probably time to start looking for a replacement. However, there are a few things you can do to extend its lifespan while you shop for a new one:

• Avoid extreme temperatures and ensure proper cooling.

• Protect the drive from power outages and fluctuations by using a UPS or surge protector.

• Free up space on the SSD to move data away from bad blocks.

Remember to transfer your data from the failing SSD to a new drive, whether it's an SSD or an HDD.

Above all, protecting your data should be your top priority.

If your SSD has failed, you may only get one chance to recover your data.

Kotar Data Recovery provides professional data recovery services for a full range of solid state drives using MLC, eMLC, TLC, or SLC NAND flash memory technologies, for all makes and models of computers, laptops, and server storage.

hard drive health.

hard drive health. 

Hard drives are commonly installed in desktop computers, mobile devices, consumer electronics, and enterprise storage arrays in data centers. 

Hard drives are crucial for maintaining data, so it's important to keep them healthy. Regular hard drive health checkups are necessary to prevent serious data loss consequences caused by hard drive failures. 

The good news is that a hard drive's health can be maintained without requiring too much time or resources.

how long do hard drives last.

Most hard drives have a lifespan of three to five years, with the biggest drop-offs occurring between years 3 and 4. Beyond year 4, the projected failure rate shows that approximately 50% of drives will fail after year 6. 

Although survival rates eventually reach zero and there are outliers like malware causing early failure, regular maintenance remains the best strategy for extending lifespans.

how to increase the lifespan of your hard drive.

Here are some steps that can help you to increase the lifespan of your hard drives:

1. run check disk (CHKDSK) scan.

After a certain period of use, your hard drive will inevitably have errors such as partition table, file system errors, hardware, or software issues. These hard drive errors can consequently lead to a decrease in the HDD lifespan and data loss. However, by regularly running a 'chkdsk' scan, you can fix most disk errors and improve the HDD's lifespan. This command can also retrieve readable information from bad sectors, remap them, and fix cross-linked files.

Still, there are special situations when using ‘chkdsk’ might not be a good idea. If you are unsure whether to run ‘chkdsk’ or not, seek advice from a professional to avoid unintended consequences.

2. actively monitor your hard drive.

You should actively monitor your hard drive health by keeping an eye on the SMART parameters. There are many different hard drive health check software programs available that can actively monitor all the critical SMART parameters of your hard drive in real-time and keep you informed about the drive's health. They can also monitor the hard drive temperature to prevent damage from overheating. By understanding SMART parameter attributes, you can take appropriate measures to improve hard disk health and safeguard against data loss.

3. think twice before downloading / installing software.

Web security is becoming increasingly important. Before downloading software online, be extra careful to ensure it is from a verifiable source to avoid installing a virus or malware that can damage the whole system. Whether you are in the office or using your personal computer, be sure to use reputable anti-virus software and a firewall to manage incoming traffic and access to the computer. Keep both programs up-to-date and running all the time. 

In addition to security, a computer uses both memory and hard drive space to run software and speed-up load times. By limiting the hard drive space used for unneeded software, you can keep the drive and computer running quickly.

4. update the operating system (OS).

Updating your operating system ensures that you have critical updates to make your system run better and eliminate issues that could ultimately cause hard drive failure. An outdated operating system can lead to problems with drive security and functionality, so it is important to regularly update your computer's operating system.

OS updates usually include critical security updates and patches to fix current threats, and ignoring these updates can create problems that may eventually lead to hard drive failure. To avoid these issues, don't delay when you receive a notification to update your operating system. In operating systems like macOS and Microsoft Windows, settings can typically be configured to install updates automatically.

To ensure a smooth upgrade, check for hardware and software compatibility, back up your data, and consider the potential impact on your workflow before proceeding.

5. remove unnecessary programs.

Make it a habit to regularly check the programs installed on your computer's hard drive. Are there any programs that you don't use or need anymore? It is common to have programs that are left unused for some time, taking up valuable hard drive space. By regularly checking and deleting unwanted programs, you can free up space on your hard drive and improve your computer's performance.

6. remove the temporary files.

During normal operation, most operating systems create several temporary files. While you can remove some of these files using the built-in tools and clean the hard disk, others such as file fragments, memory dumps, browser cache, cookies, log files, and the recycle bin can accumulate over time.

To keep your hard drive free of unnecessary clutter, it is a good idea to use a third-party disk cleaner app. These tools can automatically remove accumulated temporary files and other unnecessary data, freeing up valuable hard drive space.

7. remove duplicate files from your hard disk.

Delete any duplicate files that exist on your hard drive. Keeping duplicate files increases disk usage, fragmentation, and ultimately deteriorates HDD performance and health. To make this process easier, you can use a 'Duplicate File Finder/Remover' utility that helps you locate and remove duplicate files on your hard drive, including files that are identical but are saved with different names.

8. defragment hard drives.

As time passes, your hard drive becomes increasingly fragmented with data, causing it to work slower, harder, and less efficiently. When you save files, they are not necessarily stored in a specific order, and the hard drive uses the first available empty space, including space created after deleting files. However, not all of the available space is utilized fully, which scatters data across the hard drive and makes it harder to access stored data, thereby slowing the computer's performance. 

Fragmentation can significantly deteriorate your hard drive's health, as new data is stored in fragments that cause the read head to move excessively and increase disk spin speed, resulting in additional wear and tear and overheating, which is a major cause of drive failure. 

Therefore, it is necessary to defragment your hard drive regularly to keep it in good condition.

9. avoid overheating and protect from dust.

To ensure that computer hardware lasts longer and works properly, two things are necessary: airflow to prevent overheating, and keeping components free of dust. 

If air vents are covered by piles of paper or if the computer is placed under a desk, the hard drive can overheat. To prevent this, it is important to check the ventilation and uncover all the air vents to ensure proper computer performance. 

In addition, if a computer is filled with dust that is choking off the fans or mechanisms, it can overheat, causing components to fail. It is important to clean on and around the computer regularly using compressed air and a microfiber cloth to prevent dust and other debris from causing issues. 

Overheating and exposure to dust can both cause hard disks to malfunction, shortening their lifespan. Therefore, it is important to keep external hard drives, computers, and servers in a clean, cool, dry, and open space.

If symptoms of overheating persist after checking ventilation, do not boot up the drive. Overheating can be caused by hardware issues like actuator heads, and attempting self-repairs or booting the drive can cause further damage.

10. utilizing power save and sleep modes.

Hard drive maintenance frequently raises the question of whether to put a computer to sleep or turn it off. 

The process of shutting down and booting up demands a lot of work from the hard drive, and frequent switching between these modes can take its toll over time. 

Experts recommend minimizing the number of times you boot up and shut down your computer. As a general rule, shut down your computer if you are not going to use it for a day, but if you are going away for just a few hours, it is best to put it on sleep mode instead. Power sleep and save modes can minimize the time a hard drive runs, thereby extending its lifespan.

11. stay away from static.

Computer components and peripherals are highly sensitive to static electricity, which can cause damage comparable to a lightning strike. This is especially true during winter months or in regions with drier air. Even as little as 10 volts of static electricity can harm drive microchips, while humans cannot feel it until 1,500 volts. 

Therefore, before plugging in your computer or server power supply, ensure that the power socket is properly grounded. A static shock can harm your internal or external hard drive and other computer components. 

If you experience even the slightest shock when touching metal around you, be sure to wear a grounding bracelet before touching any hardware in your computer. Alternatively, touch any grounded metal part, such as copper, iron, or Power Supply Unit (PSU) screws, before touching your computer. 

This also applies to other surfaces that produce static electricity, such as televisions, stereo speakers, and household appliances.

12. protect from power surges.

A sudden power outage and power surge can prove to be extremely damaging to the hard disk in your system. 

A power surge occurs when the voltage spikes above the normal level, which can happen within a few nanoseconds and cause deadly damage to your hard drive. 

Power outages mostly occur when you force shutdown a system or unplug the drive while it is spinning or in use. This may also occur if the system crashes due to software or hardware failure. This unexpected power loss can lead to file system errors and mechanical failure in older hard drives, where the actuator head gets stuck to the platter. 

To prevent disk errors and increase the health of a hard drive, always eject the external drive safely before unplugging it. 

To avoid sudden system shutdowns and damage, use an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) device. A UPS not only keeps your system on after power failure but also safeguards against voltage fluctuations and surges.

13. keep backup copies.

As the saying goes, hope for the best but always prepare for the worst. 

Hard drive failure can happen unexpectedly, and losing important data can be devastating. Therefore, it is crucial to have a solid backup plan in place. This can include using external storage devices such as USB drives or external hard drives, or backing up to digital cloud storage services like Dropbox or Google Drive. For businesses, having a reliable backup strategy is especially essential as it can protect against data loss and ensure business continuity.

The above measures can help increase the lifespan and health of your HDD. However, it is not always possible to control every situation. Like any other device, your hard drive can stop functioning one day due to various reasons.

Unfortunately, data loss is inevitable and may happen anytime. Therefore, it is essential to always maintain regular backups of your important data.

In the event of data loss, if you do not have a backup, or if it does not contain the required files, Kotar Data Recovery experts can help you retrieve your important data.

human error and data loss.

human error.

There are three types of human error:

- Slips and lapses, which are made inadvertently by experienced operators during routine tasks.

- Mistakes, which are decisions subsequently found to be wrong, even though the maker believed them to be correct at the time.

- Violations, which are deliberate deviations from the rules for the safe operation of equipment.

In information security, human error refers to any action by an individual that inadvertently leads to sensitive data being compromised. For example, users may open malicious email attachments, use weak passwords, or install unauthorized software that is infected with malware.

data loss.

Data loss refers to the intentional or unintentional destruction of information, caused by people and/or processes from within or outside of an organization. Data loss is similar to a data breach in that the data is compromised. However, in a data breach, the data is typically still intact, but in the hands of unauthorized individuals.

the most common cause of data loss.

Human error is widely considered to be the primary cause of most data loss incidents.

According to Verizon's 2022 Data Breaches Investigations Report, 82% of data breaches involved a human element. This includes incidents in which employees directly expose information or make a mistake that enables cybercriminals to access the organization's systems.

Other researchers have found that human error accounts for 75% of data loss incidents, followed by hardware failure, software corruption, malware and theft.

The most common causes of data loss involving human error are:

- accidental deletion

- overwritten files

- social engineering attacks

- mishandled migration,

- bad integration

- other IT errors

Data is also commonly lost in cases where devices are accidentally destroyed, such as a laptop or phone being dropped.

• accidental file deletion

One of the most common data loss scenarios is when a user accidentally deletes an important file or folder. This can happen for several different reasons. For instance, people might move an important file to the trash without realizing it, or they might intentionally delete it first and then later realize they still need it.

Accidental deletion is also common when users move files and folders to a different location on the server. Sometimes people recognize their mistake immediately, making it slightly easier to recover the lost data. However, other times it may take days or even weeks before they notice that the files are missing. To make matters worse, they may not remember the name of the file or the deletion date, making it even harder to locate it in a backup (assuming there is a backup available).

The same goes for accidentally deleted emails, app data and all other critical and sensitive data.

• overwritten files

Overwriting text means that newly typed characters replace existing characters.

It's also possible to overwrite data by replacing old files with new ones. For example, when saving a document with the same filename as an already existing document, the old document will be overwritten by the new one.

• social engineering attacks

Social engineering is the practice of deceiving users to gain access to security systems or to deliver malware, which paves the way for future cyberattacks.

Social engineering usually starts with an email that is designed to mislead users into thinking it's genuine, when in reality, it carries malicious attachments or links to nefarious websites.

Spam emails can be considered a form of social engineering that relies on deception. For instance, users might receive a message that appears to be a receipt, invoice, or billing statement. However, by unwittingly clicking on these links or opening the file attachments, their computers can become infected with malware.

More sophisticated social engineering attacks often involve multiple layers of deception. For example, an email might impersonate a notification to reset a password or view a file shared by a friend or family member on Google Drive. The message may even include the victim's name. When the link is clicked, it takes the user to a secondary page that also appears legitimate. However, in reality, the page is simply the next phase of the deception. Users unwittingly enter their credentials, which are then sent directly to the attackers.

The vast majority of cyberattacks utilize social engineering tactics. When these attacks are used to deploy ransomware or other forms of malware, they can result in permanent data loss.

Ransomware has emerged as a major data security threat, with attacks occurring every few seconds on average. These attacks can permanently lock users out of their data unless they pay the ransom or restore a backup. However, it is important to note that while ransomware can cause significant damage to operations, it is not the leading cause of data loss. In fact, human error is much more common in causing data loss for businesses on a day-to-day basis.

Ironically, human error is also the leading cause of ransomware infections.  Ransomware attacks are most commonly delivered through spam and phishing emails. When employees are not trained to recognize and avoid these threats, they may inadvertently click on links or open attachments that introduce the infection.

• mishandled migrations

Anytime large amounts of data are being moved, there is a risk of files being lost or accidentally deleted. Most commonly, they are overwritten. In worst-case scenarios, entire folders and directories are replaced, and newer versions of files are inadvertently overwritten by old data, resulting in good data being replaced by bad.

In most cases, this happens due to a simple mistake caused by the person handling the migration. Although their intentions may be good, such as reorganizing or consolidating data storage, or migrating data to new software, a lack of caution can lead to a botched migration that destroys large amounts of data. While there may be instances where the user is not entirely at fault, human error is still ultimately to blame in most cases.

• bad integrations

Integrating third-party software should be done with care, especially when it involves data migration. If the integration is misconfigured or there are compatibility issues, it can lead to a high risk of data loss.

In most cases, misconfigured or incompatible integrations can be considered a form of human error. It is the user's responsibility to ensure the viability of the integration before proceeding. For instance, when adding new software, users need to ensure it is developed by reputable sources and compatible with current systems.

However, sometimes the culprit is not human error. There are cases, for example, where software bugs in otherwise well-developed software can cause a botched integration, resulting in data loss. Nevertheless, proper testing should be conducted to minimize this risk.

• other IT errors

It's not only non-technical employees who can make mistakes; even IT professionals are not immune, and the consequences of their mistakes can be even more severe. Human error has been reported to cause up to 70% of data incidents at data centers, leading to a higher level of data loss beyond simple accidental file deletion. These incidents can be caused by a range of issues, including network misconfigurations, security vulnerabilities, and errors during IT system management. This underscores the importance of regularly backing up your data to prevent permanent data loss.

how to prevent data loss from human error.

While it is true that mistakes can occur and human errors can lead to data loss, it is important to note that this type of loss is not necessarily inevitable. By implementing a range of preventative measures, you can significantly reduce the likelihood and impact of data loss from human error.

In addition to backups, you can reduce the risk of human error by providing routine employee training on data handling best practices and cybersecurity, as well as implementing improved access management practices for better control over who can access and modify files.

• employee training

A little bit of employee training can go a long way in preventing data loss from human error. When onboarding new employees, make sure to provide comprehensive training on how to properly save, move, modify, and delete files on the company network, and don't assume that everyone knows how to do this. It's also critical to educate employees on the risks of data loss and the importance of notifying administrators as quickly as possible after accidental file deletion.

However, it's important to note that training should not be a one-time event. To maintain the effectiveness of your training program, you should regularly reinforce best practices and provide ongoing training on the latest security risks and threats. This can include reminders, refresher courses, and other forms of training to help keep your employees up-to-date and vigilant.

• cybersecurity training

Cybersecurity training is an essential component of any comprehensive data loss prevention strategy. All employees should receive education on safe web and email practices. To reduce the risk of data loss from ransomware or other forms of malware it is critical to train employees on the latest security risks and threats, such as phishing scams, malware, and social engineering attacks. By familiarizing staff with the telltale signs of these types of attacks, such as suspicious links or attachments, unsolicited messages from unknown senders, or requests for personal information, you can empower them to make smarter, safer choices when using company networks and devices.

• stricter access controls

Implementing stricter access controls is an effective way to reduce the risk of data loss from human error. By limiting user access to only the authorized folders they need, based on the approach of 'least privilege', you can prevent them from making mistakes in folders where they shouldn't have access in the first place.

While this approach won't prevent accidental deletion within the user's authorized folders, it can help to prevent the spread of ransomware in the event of an attack. By limiting the areas of the network that a compromised user account can access, you can contain the infection and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the network.

recovering lost data.

When data loss inevitably occurs, having a plan in place for quick and effective recovery is essential. Whether it is a single file that has gone missing or a ransomware attack that has locked up all of your data, you need a way to recover your data quickly and efficiently.

• back up your data

Data backup is a critical part of protecting against permanent data loss. Backing up your data regularly will ensure that you have a recent copy of all your files and that any loss of data, from file deletion to ransomware encryption, can be recovered. Backups of your data should be stored in a secure location. You can choose to store backups on an external hard drive, a cloud-based service, or both for added redundancy.

Once you have a backup solution in place, the next step is to develop a plan for recovering your data in the event of a loss. This plan should include clear steps for restoring data from your backups, as well as any other necessary measures such as rebuilding your system or network after a cyber attack.

• have multiple restore options

When dealing with data loss, it is important to have flexibility in your recovery options. If someone accidentally deletes a single file or a few folders, you don't want to have to restore your entire system from a large backup. On the other hand, if a large-scale data loss occurs, you need to be able to restore everything quickly and efficiently.

To achieve this flexibility, it's important to have a backup and disaster recovery (BDR) solution that allows for multiple restore options. This means that you should be able to restore individual files and folders as needed, without having to restore your entire system. At the same time, you should be able to select the appropriate recovery point to restore everything if necessary. This can save you time and effort.

• recover missing files faster

The software built into your BDR system is crucial. This is what will allow you to locate and restore deleted data in the shortest amount of time possible. BDR software solutions, for example, can make it easy for IT administrators to locate deleted files, even when the file names and deletion dates are unknown. With a few clicks, the interface shows you which files have been modified, deleted or created between any two backups, so that recovery can only take seconds.

• go hybrid

For greater assurance that your data is always recoverable, deploy a BDR system with hybrid technology, which stores your backups on-site and in the cloud. For example, if your servers are flooded, you’ll still be able to recover any destroyed data from the cloud.

• make backups more frequent

If your last backup was 24 hours ago, then all data created or modified since then is vulnerable to being destroyed forever. If something is deleted, it’s gone for good. Make sure your backups can be performed as frequently as needed to prevent a costly data loss or disruption. The frequency of backups should be determined by the business needs and the potential impact of data loss.

business continuity plan.

No matter what you do to prevent data loss from human error, make sure your strategies and systems are clearly defined in a business continuity plan (BCP). This comprehensive document will serve as the basis for your continuity planning, identifying your unique risks and outlining the protocols for backup and recovery. Unfortunately, even the most comprehensive BCP won’t prevent all instances of accidental data loss. However, it can significantly reduce your risk of permanent data loss.

Kotar Data Recovery has the expertise to solve the most complex data loss challenges. If you have experienced data loss due to hardware failures, human error, natural disasters, or cyber-attacks, their team of experts is ready to help you retrieve lost photos, documents, and other important files.

don’t risk losing your data to mother nature.

Data has become essential to daily our life and business operations. Unfortunately, there are many dangers that threaten our data, and natural disasters are one of them. 

Natural disasters can cause destruction of physical IT infrastructure, such as servers and storage devices, and can result in sudden electrical surges or outages, leading to the loss of critical personal and business data.

The scientific community agrees that as global temperatures rise, natural disasters with extreme weather events will become more frequent.

• The U.S. experienced 18 extreme weather events in the last year, resulting in more than $165 billion in damage. This made 2022 the third-costliest year on record, according to a report released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - NOAA.

• This winter, the U.S. has been hit hard by devastating winter storms, with freezing temperatures, heavy snow, rain, winds, and flooding.

• Four of the worst California wildfires in history have occurred within the last six years.

• Four of the most extreme hurricane seasons in U.S. history have occurred within the last 15 years.

• Tornadoes, which were historically confined to the Midwest, are increasingly occurring on the East Coast, hitting places like New York City and Massachusetts.

• Researchers predict that as global temperatures rise, extreme weather events such as extreme temperatures, intense storms, flooding, and droughts will become more frequent or intense, potentially causing significant disruption.

examples of natural disasters.

hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, severe storms and flooding.

Flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, and severe storms are all examples of natural disasters that can severely damage or destroy hardware and cause significant damage to the data stored there. When a computer or server is flooded, water damage can compromise its hardware, leading to data loss. 

Flooding can also occur inside a building due to other issues, such as bursting water pipes or leaks. These can lead to electrical problems and outages, which can in turn cause fires and eventually data loss.

Some areas are more prone to certain types of storms than others. However, due to the changing weather patterns, it’s important to be prepared for these types of natural disasters no matter where you are located to help you mitigate the risk of data loss.

fire.

Fire is another type of natural disaster that can cause significant damage to data stored on computers and servers. 

Wildfires are caused by a combination of factors, including high temperatures, drought conditions, and triggers that can be natural (lightning) or human influenced (arson). Structural fires are often caused by electrical failure or malfunction. 

The damage from a fire can be much broader than just the direct flames. While smoke can also be destructive to IT infrastructure, water from sprinkler systems and fire hoses usually causes the most damage, leading to data loss.

earthquakes.

The most common cause of damage during an earthquake is ground shaking, as it can cause the collapse of buildings, roads and infrastructure.

Unlike the seasonal disasters, earthquakes have no preferred time of year and it is always earthquake season. We can, however, estimate their probabilities.

Although fault lines are most active on the West coast, you should be prepared no matter where you are located and have a backup plan in case your hard drives are destroyed in an unexpected earthquake.

how can you prevent data loss from natural disasters.

While you can't stop mother nature, it is crucial to be prepared for natural disasters. It is essential to take steps to protect your data and have the ability to quickly recover data to minimize the impact of data loss on your daily life and business operations. 

How can this be achieved?

back up your data.

First and foremost, it is important to routinely back up your data, so that in the event of a natural disaster, having a recent backup will allow you to retrieve your critical files. 

It is also recommended to test your backups periodically to ensure that they can be successfully restored in the event of an emergency.

replicate backups to the cloud.

Having a backup is just the first and essential step. It is also extremely important to consider, in the event of a natural disaster, how and where you store those backups. 

On-site backups can provide quick recovery in most cases, but they can be useless if a disaster destroys the entire building. 

The most effective way to prevent data loss from natural disaster is to store backups of your data in multiple locations, including cloud backup. 

Hybrid backup is a backup and disaster recovery strategy that backs up your data locally to any device you select, such as a computer hard drive or a server located in your office, as well as servers that are located off-site.

This type of backup in most cases allows for quick recovery of data from local backups. However, in the event of a disaster that destroys on-site infrastructure and makes local backups inaccessible, the off-site backups provide a failsafe. Hybrid backup is considered the most secure way to ensure you can recover data from the widest range of disaster scenarios. It is also a more expensive option as you need to buy hardware and software for local backups. However, this investment can be worth it for businesses to avoid data and revenue loss.

store geo-redundant cloud backups.

It’s important to keep backups in the cloud, but that alone is not enough to protect your data from the worst-case scenario.

For example, if your backups are stored in a data center located near your home or business and a natural disaster such as an earthquake strikes, causing damage to the entire region, all your backups may become inaccessible.

To safeguard your data, it is recommended to store off-site backups in two or more geographically diverse locations. This ensures that you will still be able to recover your data, even if the natural disaster has affected your entire region.

virtualize backups for faster access.

Virtualized backups store your backups as image-based files that can be booted as virtual machines. 

This is important in the event of a natural disaster that completely destroys your on-site infrastructure, as it allows you to quickly recover not only individual files, but your entire system, so you can get back to business.

Virtualizing your backups in the cloud also provides you with fast access to all your protected systems, software, and data, enabling you to spin up your backup in seconds from any location and continue using your critical applications.

set a shorter RPO.

RPO stands for recovery point objective and it is an important strategy for disaster recovery planning.

It refers to the maximum acceptable amount of data loss measured in time. A lower RPO means less data loss, as the recovery point will be more recent. For example, if an RPO of 12 hours is set, it means that the most recent backup should not be older than 12 hours. Thus, in case you need to restore the backup, the maximum data loss will be of 12 hours, which means you will only lose up to 12 hours’ worth of changes. However, 12 hours of data loss can be significant for businesses, hence it is important to set the RPO as low as possible, particularly for most critical data and systems.

 protect physical infrastructure.

Natural disasters are unique from other data-loss events because they can cause physical destruction.

It is recommended to have robust IT infrastructure and hardware that can withstand extreme weather conditions. 

An important strategy to prevent data loss from natural disasters is to deploy systems that safeguard on-site infrastructure from physical damage. This is particularly important for businesses.

To prevent fire damage, waterless fire suppression systems can be implemented.

Flood and moisture sensors are recommended, especially in lower levels of a building, to alert you in case of unexpected flooding.

Backup generators and power surge suppression systems can help prevent electrical damage to your hardware and ensure continuity of operations during power outages.

create a disaster recovery plan.

Businesses of all sizes generate and manage massive amounts of data, much of which is mission critical. Therefore, it is essential to have a disaster recovery plan (DRP) in place.

A DRP is a plan designed to assist businesses in responding to a disaster and protecting their IT infrastructure. It should include all preventative measures, data backup technologies, recovery objectives and protocols, as well as explain actions that must be taken before, during, and after a disaster.

Kotar Data Recovery has been providing exemplary data recovery services to individuals and businesses since 1999. Advanced and proprietary technology, highly trained data recovery experts and decades of experience, cumulatively enable them to recover time sensitive and mission-critical data from any device and any situation.

holiday season online security.

you better watch out, you better not cry.

The holiday season can be a hectic time of year. Due to inflation and high interest rates, holiday season bargains started early this year. Consumers, chasing the best offer deals and big discounts, will unfortunately be more likely to shop on questionable websites and less likely to think before they click on holiday-themed scam emails. 

This is the perfect environment for holiday scams and malicious cyberattacks, and a busy time for cybercriminals,m who are trying to take advantage of you, prey on emotions to pry credit card numbers, login credentials and other personally identifiable information. When shopping online during the holiday season, be wary of deals that seem too good to be true. 

is that really santa or just the grinch in disguise.

Scammers are looking for critical information. Credit card information is very valuable, but a lot of your personal identifiable information is also prized. The more scammers know about you, the more sophisticated the scam can be.

Holiday scams come in many forms - fraudulent ads, emails, calls, and texts. Fraudsters frequently take advantage of the holidays to push themed scams through online ads, misleading calls, phishing emails, and text messages. 

These scams are often carefully crafted and branded to look like they have a legitimate purpose and come from a legitimate retailer or other organization. 

Cybercriminals may tout fraudulent mobile apps or webpages related to the holidays or current events, with the goal of convincing victims to enter personal or financial data. 

Another holiday scam can use a social media platform to try to lure victims in by promoting popular products at deep discounts. 

Even gift cards can be targeted for cyber scams. Scammers can use bots to test millions of combinations of gift card numbers and PINs on retailer websites. Once they find an active card, they drain the money either by purchasing items for themselves or selling the card’s credentials on the dark web. 

Whether you are shopping online, donating online or traveling, be aware that you can always fight back against scammers and better protect your personal information.

safety tips for shopping online.

These precautions can go a long way toward ensuring your online safety.

• keep a clean machine.

Before picking out that perfect gift, be sure that all internet-connected devices, including PCs, smartphones and tablets, are free from malware and viruses.

• use secure Wi-Fi

Using free public Wi-Fi to shop online while at your favorite coffee shop is convenient, but it is not cyber safe. Don’t make purchases while connected to public Wi-Fi; instead use a virtual private network (VPN) or your phone as a hotspot.

• lock down your login

Create long and unique passwords for all accounts and use multi-factor authentication wherever possible. 

• resist the urge

Be wary of offers too good to be true – no matter how tempting they might be. Buy only from trusted and established online retailers and avoid websites of retailers you’ve never heard of.

• think before you click

Do not provide sensitive information through email. Do not open emails from unknown senders or click on attachments or links in suspicious messages. Be wary of phishing emails that are often designed to look like an authentic message from a well-known brand. In recent years, some of the most convincing phishing emails have taken the form of shipping notifications complete with barcodes that look like they're from FedEx or UPS. Increasingly, fake shipping notifications are coming in the form of texts. Holiday-themed mobile or text (SMS) phishing, also known as smishing, grow every year. Nearly two thirds of those messages sent worldwide are in some aah related to a delivery or a retail brand.

• shop securely

Check websites for the https and padlock to make sure you’re shopping on a site that uses SSL protection. The easiest way to tell is to check your browser’s address bar. Look for URL that begins with "https:" (instead of "http:") and a padlock icon. Sites without the "s" are not safe to submit payment information or other personal details to. Also, be aware that some attackers may try to trick website visitors by displaying a fake padlock icon, so be sure that the icon looks authentic. 

• pay wisely

Use a credit card or prepaid debit card instead of a debit card linked to your bank account. Or, use a reliable, established third-party payment service, such as Google Pay, Apple Pay or PayPal.

• monitor your accounts

Regularly check your online financial accounts for suspicious spending. Also, take advantage of text and email alerting services that many banks and credit card companies offer.

safety tips for giving online.

Online thieves know the holidays spark the desire to give back, making charity donations a hot target. Take basic cybersecurity precautions to ward off a visit from a cyber Grinch.

• do your research first

Never feel pressured to give on the spot. Learn about charities and how they spend the money they receive as well as what types of organizations can get tax-deductible donations. 

• ignore unsolicited requests

Be wary of emails and phone calls asking for donations, especially from organizations unfamiliar to you. 

• think before you pay

Never wire money or send cash. When writing a check, make it payable to the organization or pay via credit card. If you donate online, make sure the website is secure.

• double check the website

Check website URLs carefully since cybercriminals often create websites and names that are very similar to legitimate, reputable organizations. Check the spelling of the organization's name and the URL very closely for discrepancies.

safety tips for traveling.

No one is exempt from the threat of cybercrime, at home or on the go. Follow these simple tips to stay safe online when traveling this holiday season.

• avoid free Wi-Fi

Although connecting to free public Wi-Fi sounds great, it is often unsecure and can expose your devices and personal information to hackers. Instead, use a VPN or your mobile phone as a hotspot when going online.

• confirm your network

If you do connect to public Wi-Fi, be sure to confirm the name of the network and exact login procedures with appropriate staff to ensure that the network is legitimate.

• disable auto-connect on your devices

If your mobile phone or table automatically connect to wireless networks or Bluetooth devices, disable those features and connect manually only when you want to.

• secure your devices

Keep track of your laptop, smartphone, tablet and accessories such as external drives, and don’t leave your devices unattended in public places.

• avoid shared computers

If using computers at hotel business centers and other places that offer shared systems, avoid making purchases or logging into email. You don’t know if the systems are up to date with the latest security software or if the machines are safe.

may your holidays remain merry and bright.

Whatever you are planning to do and whenever going online this festive season, never forget that, like the Grinch gazing down at Whoville, cybercriminals are watching and they're ready to take advantage of you.

In case a cyber Grinch surprises you with an unauthorized access and data corruption, Kotar Data Recovery is always here to help. We have been successfully recovering data from viruses, malware infection, including RansomWare and CryptoLocker attacks since 1999.

Have an stress-free, joyous holiday season and a prosperous New Year!

data.

what is data.

In general, data is any set of characters that is gathered and translated for some purpose, usually for analysis.

There are multiple types of data. Data can be a single character, boolean (true or false), text (string), number (integer or floating-point), picture, sound or video.  

Data is processed by the CPU, which uses logical operations to produce new data (output) from source data (input).

data vs information.

The terms 'data' and 'information' are sometimes misinterpreted as referring to the same thing. However, they are not the same.

Data is a collection of values from which information can be ascertained. Those values can be characters, numbers, or any other data type. If those values are not processed, they have little meaning to a human.

Information is data that was processed so a human can read, understand, and use it. Information informs you of something. It answers a specific question. It represents a specific truth or fact.

For example, consider the question: 'what is the temperature outside?’.

Data provides the basis for an answer to that question. 

If the data is '68' and 'Fahrenheit', the answer is: 'Outside, the temperature is 68 degrees Fahrenheit.'

You must know what 'temperature' is, and what 'degrees Fahrenheit' are in order to process the data into information.

Processing data into information is the fundamental purpose of a computer. The 'P' in CPU stands for 'processing,' specifically, data processing.

signal data vs noise data.

Some data is not relevant or informational. This irrelevant data is called noise. 

For example, if you create an audio recording of a piano concert, you might hear people in the audience coughing, or the sound of a ceiling fan. These noises are irrelevant to the purpose of the audio recording, which is to record the sound of the piano.

Information is analogous to a signal. 

In the example above, the relevant data is the sound of the piano. It answers the question, "what did the piano sound like?". The remaining data (the noise) does not answer that question, so it can be ignored or removed.

signal and data processing.

Signal processing is the separation of noise from a signal. A noisy signal is analyzed, and the noise is reduced or removed, to accentuate the signal or isolate it completely.

Similarly, data processing identifies meaningful data, and separates it from the meaningless data. The meaningful data is then interpreted, combined, modified, connected, and structured into something new called information.

examples of data and information.

The following is an example of raw data, and how that data can be assembled into information.

Raw data is a term used to describe data that is collected and stored, but has not yet been processed. 

For example, many sites collect data about each person that visits them. The information they collect is raw until it is processed and sorted to make it easier for the web designer to understand.

Example of Data

CA, 325, Kotar, Piercy Road, SJ, 4084554310, 95138, Data Recovery

In this example, the original data appears to be a set of random words and numbers, separated by commas.

Example of Information

Kotar Data Recovery

325 Piercy Road

San Jose, CA 95238

(408) 455-4310

In this information, the original data was interpreted, organized, and formatted according to predefined parameters. Now the meaning of the data is clear: it is the contact information for a company called Kotar Data Recovery.

how data is stored.

In a computer's storage, digital data is a sequence of bits. A bit is the smallest unit of data that a computer can process and store.

All data, including text files, photos, videos and audio files are stored as binary code, 1s and 0s.

Pure binary data, however, is of little use if you can't read and write in binary. 

The binary number 01001011 01001111 01010100 01000001 01010010, for example, is equivalent to KOTAR.

A bit can have two states: a 0 or 1.

The smallest unit of data is a bit, or binary digit, the 0 or 1.

A byte is 8 bits.

Groups of bits are joined into bytes. A set of 8 bits was chosen because this provides 256 total possibilities, which is sufficient for specifying letters, numbers, spaces, punctuation and other extended characters. Keep in mind that some word processing programs include other sorts of formatting data, and therefore the file sizes become greater than just the number of characters in the file.

A kilobyte (KB) is 1024 bytes.

This is due to computers using the binary system as opposed to decimal. In the Decimal system (base 10), 1 kilobyte is equivalent to 1000 bytes. On the other hand, in the Binary system (base 2), 1 Kilobyte is equal to 1024 bytes.

A megabyte (MB) is 1024 KB.

A gigabyte (GB) is 1024 MB.

A terabyte (TB) is 1024 GB.

All data on storage media, including hard disk drives (HDDs), solid state drives (SSDs), USB flash drives and SD cards store data as bytes.  

But the total size of a database doesn’t tell the full story of the content it carries. For example, 400-500 pages of text can fit inside of a megabyte, while only a short audio file could fit in the same file size.

Let's see how many pages of text files, emails, MS Word Files, PowerPoint slide decks and images can fit in a gigabyte:

Text files: nearly 678,000 pages per gigabyte.

Emails: more than 100,000 pages.

Microsoft Word files: almost 65,000 pages.

PowerPoint Slide Decks: roughly 17,500 pages.

Images: close to 15,500 pages.

how many pages go into each unit of data.

The following figures should give an approximate idea of how many pages can be stored on each unit of data:

Bit: 0.0004 pages.

Byte: 0.005 pages.

Kilobyte: 0.5 pages; therefore, one full page requires about 2 KB.

Megabyte: 500 pages or 1 thick book.

Gigabyte: 500,000 pages or 1000 thick books.

Terabyte: 50,000,000 pages or 1 million thick books.

The Library of Congress in Washington D.C., for example, is said to be the world's largest library with over 28 million volumes. This means that about 28 TB of storage would be required to save a digital backup of the entire Library of Congress.

visualization of larger amounts of data.

It can be difficult to visualize the massive amount of data contained in larger file formats. Here are a few comparisons to put things into perspective:

Half a gigabyte of pages would match the height of the average giraffe.

1 gigabyte would be nearly as tall as a telephone pole.

2 gigabytes would extend across an entire bowling lane.

10 gigabytes’ worth of paper documents would cover the length of a football field.

100 gigabytes would tower over the Burj Khalifa, the tallest skyscraper in the world.

500 gigabytes would be nearly as tall as Mount Kilimanjaro.

1000 gigabytes = 1 terabyte - would almost reach the bottom of the Marianas Trench, the lowest point in any ocean.

data volume is getting exponentially bigger.

The world is creating more data with each passing day, and the amount of digital information is growing at an exponential rate.

According to ‘IDC & Statista’, 2020, there were 74 zettabytes of data in the world at the end of 2021 ( there are a billion terabytes in one zettabyte) and experts predict the world is going to create an even greater volume of data in the near future:

2022 – 94 zettabytes

2023 – 118 zettabytes

2024 – 149 zettabytes

2025 – over 180 zettabytes

According to ‘Cisco, 2020’, the internet population in 2023 will be 66% of the world’s total population. In 2023, each person will have an average of 1.6 networked mobile devices and connections and 3.6 total devices connected to the Internet.

Every second, enormous amounts of data are being created by emails and Excel spreadsheets, social media, streaming data, the Internet of Things, SMS messaging, cloud-based communications, etc.

With that, more issues will appear, including data ownership and data privacy, cybersecurity and an increase in malware. 

On top of that, there is the matter of environmental impact. In a day, nearly 2 million tons of CO2 are emitted by the internet and large amounts of trash are produced by tech. 

Considering a modern hard disk drive can easily exceed 1 terabyte of storage space, this can make data recovery quite a demanding task. It is only going to become more challenging as people continually create more data, new data sources emerge, and average storage capacities increase.

Kotar Data Recovery offers fast and efficient data recovery services for all storage media. Their in-house R&D continuously develops and applies new innovative technologies to constantly adapt to the new emerging data storage trends.

cyber security.

what is cyber security.

Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting sensitive data and critical systems like computers, servers, and networks from cyber threats and malicious attacks. 

As technology advances and computers change, cybersecurity is becoming increasingly more significant. This is due to the increased reliance on computer systems, the internet and wireless network standards such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, as well as the growth of smart devices and the multitude of devices that represent the ‘internet of things’. 

Cybersecurity protects all categories of data from theft and damage. This includes sensitive data, personally identifiable information, protected health information, personal information, intellectual property, data, and governmental and industry information systems.

We could say that cybersecurity is one of the major challenges in the contemporary world. In the last 15 years, an average of more than one data breach or cyber attack per day occurred. They varied in scope and destruction, but most of them had one thing in common - they were preventable. 

what is a cyber attack.

A cyber attack is a malicious attempt to steal, expose, change, or destroy data through unauthorized access to computer systems. Hackers and cybercriminals use various methods to launch cyber attacks.
Cyberattacks affect our day-to-day lives and our economy. By destroying, corrupting, or stealing information from our computer systems and networks, they can not only unauthorized access and corrupt our personal data, but also impact electrical grids and fuel pipelines, hospitals and police departments, businesses and schools, and many other critical services that we trust and rely on every single day. 

the most common forms of cyber attacks.

malware

Malware is software intentionally designed to damage and disrupt computers, servers, and networks. It may be used to leak private data, gain unauthorized access to information or systems, deny users’ access to their system's information, or interfere with a network's security. Types of malware include Trojans, viruses, spyware, and ransomware. 

ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malware from crypto-virology: a field that studies how to use cryptography to design powerful malicious software that encrypts files on an infected computer, restricts users’ access to a computer's files and threatens to publish personal data or block entry until the victim pays a ransom. While simpler ransomware may lock the computer system without sabotaging files, more advanced malware encrypts the computer's files using crypto-viral extortion. Due to the large amounts of money to be made, new versions appear frequently.

social engineering

Social engineering is the act of psychologically manipulating computer users into giving away confidential information. Unlike other types of cyber attacks, social engineering relies on human error rather than faults in computer systems. The kind of details cyber criminals seek often include passwords, bank information, and other personal details.

the evolution of cybersecurity.

The history of cybersecurity starts in the 1970s when words such as ransomware, spyware, viruses, or worms did not exist yet.

For most of the 1970s and 1980s, when computers and the internet were still under development, computer security threats were easily identifiable. A majority of the threats were from malicious insiders who gained access to documents that they weren’t supposed to view.

For example, the Russians used network breaches and malware to deploy cyber power as a form of weapon. 

Similarly, Marcus Hoss, a German computer hacker, hacked into an internet gateway located in Berkeley to connect to the Arpanet - the first public packet-switched computer network which is considered the forerunner of the modern internet. He then proceeded to access 400 military computers, including the Pentagon’s mainframes. Hoss’ primary intent was to acquire information to sell to the Russian spy agency, KGB. An astronomer, Clifford Stoll, however, used honeypot systems (a sacrificial computer system that's intended to attract cyberattacks, like a decoy) to detect the intrusion and foil the plot.

These attacks were the start of severe computer crimes utilizing virus intrusion.

1970s: ARAPNET and the Creeper

In the 1970s, Robert Thomas realized the possibilities of creating a program capable of moving in a network and leaving behind a breadcrumb trail wherever it went. This discovery led to the invention of the first computer worm called Creeper. It was designed to travel in between Tenex terminals, using the ARPANET. It printed the message “I’M THE CREEPER: CATCH ME IF YOU CAN.”

In 1972 Ray Tomlinson, the inventor of email, wrote the program Reaper, which chased and deleted Creeper.

1980s: the era of computer worms and the first antivirus

In 1988, Robert T. Morris created the first disastrous computer worm that was the next milestone in the history of cybersecurity. His intention was to gauge the size of internet. The worm was designed to infect UNIX systems so that it would count the total connections present on the web. A worm program would spread across a set of networks and then replicate itself. It turned out to be a huge mistake because a programming error caused the worm to infect machine after machine. As a result, networks clogged, causing the connected systems and internet to crash.
Antivirus software was originally developed to detect and remove computer viruses, hence the name. There are competing claims for the innovator of the first antivirus product.
Possibly, the first publicly documented removal of an "in the wild" computer virus ("Vienna virus") was performed by a German, Bernd Fix in 1987.
Also in  Germany in 1987, Andreas Lüning and Kai Figge, released their first antivirus product for the Atari ST platform.
In the US, John McAfee founded the McAfee company (was part of Intel Security) and released the first version of VirusScan. Later in 1987, Peter Paško, Rudolf Hrubý, and Miroslav Trnka created the first version of NOD antivirus, an antivirus program for computers running the MS-DOS operating system, made by the Slovak company ESET.

1990s: the world goes online

With the internet becoming available to the public, more people began putting their personal information online. Organized crime entities saw this as a potential source of revenue and started to steal data from people and governments via the web. Viruses became more aggressive programs. Viruses such as I LOVE YOU and Melissa infected tens of millions of computers, causing a worldwide failure of email systems. The primary delivery method for viruses was the use of malicious email attachments. 
Suddenly, cyber threats and attacks were a huge concern necessitating the creation of an immediate solution -  antivirus software. As a result, there was a sharp growth of companies creating and retailing antivirus products. 
The antivirus solutions scanned business’ IT systems and tested them with signatures written in a database. These programs were designed to detect the presence of viruses and worms and to prevent them from accomplishing their intended tasks.  
At the same time, the malware samples produced every day increased in size and scope. Whereas only a few thousands of malware samples existed in the 1990s, the number had grown to at least 5 million by the year 2007.
Consequently, the legacy antivirus solutions could not handle such a capacity as security professionals were unable to write signatures that would keep up with the problems as they emerged. The challenge called for a newer approach that would offer adequate protection to all systems.
Rather than depending on static signatures as the primary technique for detecting viruses, researchers used signatures to identify malware families. The solutions relied on the premise that malware samples were deviations from other existing samples. The endpoint protection platform approach was more effective.

secure sockets layer

In light of the increasing virus and worm attackers, security professionals are required to identify means for protecting users when browsing through the internet. 

Shortly after Supercomputing Applications developed and released the first internet browser, in 1995, Netscape released the secure sockets layer (SSL) internet protocol, which enabled users to access the web securely and perform activities such as online purchases. 

the rise of the first hacker group

In the 2000s, cyberattacks started being more targeted. One of the most memorable attacks during this period includes the first reported case of serial data breaches targeting credit cards. Between 2005 and 2007, a cybercriminal ring for compromising credit card systems executed attacks that successfully stole confidential information from at least 45.7 million cards. The breach caused a loss amounting to $256 million.

The first hacker group that came into the limelight in October 2003, when it hacked a website belonging to the Church of Scientology, was Anonymous. The group doesn’t have a particular leader, and the members are from different offline and online community users. To date, Anonymous has been linked to many high-profile attack incidents and has motivated other groups such as Lazarus (a cybercrime group made up of an unknown number of individuals run by the North Korean state), to execute large-scale cyberattacks.

There are many hacker groups and organized cybercrime groups today. They consist of individuals with a specific hacking skill and usually launch cyber attack campaigns characterized by different objectives.

EternalBlue 

EternalBlue constitutes a notable example of lateral movement vulnerability. Lateral movement attack techniques allow cybercriminals to run codes, issue commands, and to spread across a network. The EternalBlue vulnerability allows an attacker to exploit SMB protocols used to share files across a network. As a result, the protocol highly attracts cyber adversaries. 

The EternalBlue exploit has been used by The notorious Lazarus group for the infamous WannaCry attack in 2017. The WannaCry attack was a global ransomware attack targeting health institutions mostly in Europe. It was quite devastating as it caused health services to halt for almost a week.

recent cybersecurity attacks

Today, cybercrime has become mainstream. Cybercriminals have been using attacks for various gains.

Some of the well known cyber attacks include:

• Yahoo attacks: Yahoo was the victim of one of the worst attacks in 2013 and 2014 which resulted in a compromise of Yahoo accounts belonging to over 3 billion users. Hackers used spear-phishing techniques to install malware on Yahoo’s servers, allowing them unlimited backdoor access. They were able to access Yahoo’s backup databases with confidential information such as names, emails, passwords, and password recovery questions and answers.

• State-sponsored attacks: There have been many cases of state-sponsored attacks. Over 100 US universities were attacked in 2018 using different types of attacks. The attacks led to the loss of intellectual properties amounting to 3 billion dollars. Investigations revealed that Iran was behind the attack. Similarly, there have been many other cases of state-sponsored attacks. In 2014, North Korea sponsored the Lazarus Group which hacked into Sony. The hackers released videos of upcoming films and actors’ images.

• Gmail and Yahoo attacks: Iranian hackers were able to successfully hack into the Gmail and Yahoo accounts belonging to top US activists, journalists, and government officials in 2018. After studying the habits of the targets, the attackers used spear-phishing emails to trick them into inputting their login credentials in dummy pages accessible by the hackers. The hacks even overcame the highly acclaimed two-factor authentication techniques.

cybersecurity in the future

Cybercrime is projected to cost the world trillions of dollars in the coming years.

Cybercriminals are expected to use new innovative strategies for executing stealth attacks by leveraging emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and machine learning.

Today, artificial intelligence is integrated into antivirus and firewall solutions to achieve smarter detection and response capability. Moreover, since all organizations have automated most of their processes, cyberattacks are more concerned with compromising system security. The intent is to prevent them from accomplishing normal operations by locking out system users or stealing critical data.

key steps to protect your data against cyber attacks.

As previously mentioned, cyberattacks are malicious attempts to access or damage a computer or network system. Cyberattacks can lead to the loss of money or the theft of personal, financial and medical information, and can damage your reputation and safety. 

If you follow these steps, you can effectively protect yourself from potential cyber attack:

• Limit the personal information you share online. Change privacy settings and do not use location features.

• Keep software applications and operating systems up-to-date.

• Create strong passwords by using upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters. Use a password manager and two methods of verification.

• Watch for suspicious activity that asks you to do something right away, offers something that sounds too good to be true, or needs your personal information. Think before you click. When in doubt, do NOT click.

• Protect your home and/or business using a secure Internet connection and Wi-Fi network, and change passwords regularly.

• Don’t share PINs or passwords. Use devices that use biometric scans when possible (e.g. fingerprint scanner or facial recognition).

• Check your account statements and credit reports regularly.

• Be cautious about sharing personal financial information, such as your bank account number, Social Security number or credit card number. Only share personal information on secure sites that begin with https://. Do not use sites with invalid certificates. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) that creates a more secure connection.

• Use antivirus and anti-malware solutions, and firewalls to block threats.

• Back up your files regularly in an encrypted file or encrypted file storage device.

• Do not click on links in texts or emails from people you don’t know. Scammers can create fake links to websites.

• Remember that the government will not call, text or contact you via social media about owing money.

• Keep in mind that scammers may try to take advantage of financial fears by calling with work-from-home-opportunities, debt consolidation offers and student loan repayment plans.

Today, due to remote and hybrid work environments, users are more than ever exposed to cyber risk and that calls for an even greater focus on cybersecurity.

what to do if you experienced a cyberattack.

Don't panic, try to act rationally and cautiously.

• Check your credit card and bank statements for unrecognizable charges.

• Check your credit reports for any new accounts or loans you didn’t open.

• Be on alert for emails and social media users that ask for private information.

• If you notice any suspicious activity, change all of your internet account passwords immediately.

• Consider turning off the device that has been affected. Take it to a professional to scan for potential viruses and remove any that they find.

• Let work, school or other system owners know what happened.

• Run a security scan on your device to make sure your system is not infected or acting more slowly or inefficiently.

• If you find a problem, disconnect your device from the Internet and perform a full system restore.

• Let the proper federal, state and local authorities know if you believe you have been a victim of a cyberattack.

• Contact banks, credit card companies and other financial services companies where you hold accounts. Close any unauthorized credit or charge accounts.

• Report that someone may be using your identity.

• File a report with the local police so there is an official record of the incident.

• File a report if you think someone is using your Social Security number illegally.

If you need help, Kotar Data Recovery has been successfully recovering data from malware infection, including RansomWare and CryptoLocker attacks since 1999.

hard disk damage due to fire disaster.

Our generation is witnessing rising temperatures all over the world. Extreme temperatures bring heat which evaporates more moisture from the ground, and makes vegetation more flammable.

If not contained, wildfires can burn homes and businesses. 

Along with that, the excessive heat can also increase the chance of residential and workplace fires.

Unfortunately, we can expect more wildfires in the years ahead, especially with the fire seasons getting longer.

When electronics are caught in a fire, hard drives can be surprisingly resilient - a hard drive which has been through a disaster may still keep the data. However, data starts becoming corrupted or damaged by prolonged exposures to heat. 

Hard drive damage due to fire may not be the most common cause of data loss, but it is definitely one of the most difficult to recover from. 

Hard drives are usually not damaged only by fire, but also by heat, smoke and water.

Taken together, these factors make recovering data from a burned disk an incredibly difficult task. 

heat.

Extreme heat can damage both the external and internal electronics of your device. The exact amount of damage depends on the intensity of the fire. 

If we take a laptop, for example, short timeframes of exposure to temperatures of 100° F may not cause any major damage, however, exposure at 200° F will most likely lead to some corruption of data. Exposure at 300° F or higher can cause more extensive damage, warping HDDs and platters and desoldering a device’s electronic connections.

As far as hard drives are concerned, when a hard drive overheats, its components can sustain serious damage almost instantaneously.

Most drives have a maximum temperature threshold of around 140° F and electrical components begin to degrade past this point. 

All of the data that is stored on a hard drive is written onto metal discs or platters and, when these expand and contract, they can become warped and damage other components or even cause a head crash. 

As mentioned earlier, all of the data that can be found on a hard drive is stored on its platters. The individual pieces of data that form a file (called bytes) are all stored in separate locations. When you save a file, the location of each individual byte is recorded by your drive. When you then open this file, these individual locations are viewed, the bytes are read and the file is reconstituted and displayed. These bytes are stored in microscopic sectors and if the platter’s position changes even slightly, your files cannot be retrieved.

But that's not all. The drive's controller board is especially sensitive to heat-related issues. If contacts between printed circuit board components degrade, the hard drive could not be able to communicate with the computer. Occasionally, overheating will damage the controller board's firmware chip, which immediately prevents the drive from functioning correctly.

Furthermore, the drive's actuator heads may experience tracking issues and, depending on the settings, the drive may immediately power off to prevent extensive media damage.

smoke.

Smoke particles are some of the most damaging things that can get inside a hard disk drive. 

Hard drives are sealed assemblies, however they have an air pressure equalization hole on them somewhere that allows the pressure of the air inside the hard disk drive to remain the same as the air pressure outside of it.  

Some smoke particles are small enough that they can actually get drawn in through the air pressure equalization hole, even with filters inside the drive assembly. Under a microscope, they often look like jagged rocks. When bouncing across the surface of the platter at high speed, they can cause microscopic scratches and flake off the thin film material on the surface of the platters, which is where the data is actually stored. The particles can also cause damage to the read-write heads flying just a few nanometers above the surface of the platters.

Over the past years, the highest-capacity hard disk drives have been filled with an inert gas, such as helium, during manufacturing and then hermetically sealed. While smoke particles may not be able to work their way inside these types of sealed hard disk drives, it is important to remember that they can be corrosive and can still cause oxidation damage to the exposed parts of a hard disk drive, such as the drive controller’s circuit board.

Another danger of smoke is also the fact that there may be no obvious signs of damage (as opposed to the usually obvious damage when a hard disk drive has been exposed to water or fire). The damage may not occur immediately, but take weeks or months to manifest, often in subtle and difficult to determine ways.

water.

While the physical or mechanical damage to an HDD caught in fire alone can be devastating, the hard drive chamber or hard drive assembly (HDA), also often gets heavily contaminated with water from a fire sprinkler system or from the water that was hosed down with heavy water pressure by firefighters.

When buildings are caught in a fire, firefighters usually use water, but in certain circumstances they need to use foam and other special agents which can further damage any electronic devices.

In addition, water from a fire hose is usually cold, which in turn involves abrupt temperature changes from hot to cold that can lead to deformation of the chassis and drive platters. 

When a hard drive gets wet, the water could potentially cause a short circuit. But water alone will not destroy a hard drive nor its data. While water can damage a hard drive’s electronics, the data itself is stored magnetically. The disks of hard drives have delicate heads that read the information stored on the platters. When the water dries, it can leave a residue over the platters and heads, and cause the platters to begin to degrade over time.

Further on, the moisture can affect the platter lubrication layers, which can cause oxidation.  

In addition, the screws on the drive’s faceplate can become rusted.  The rust can flake off, fall onto the drive’s platter and cause damage. 

charred or melted hard drive. 

If your hard disk is in a case or in a computer, any plastic components will melt. 

The same way, rubber seals will also melt. Hard disk drives and some solid-state hard drives have metal casings protecting the components that store data. These cases are generally sealed with an industrial-strength rubber gasket.

Platters inside an HDD where the data is stored tend to withstand high temperatures, but eventually they begin to warp, bubble, or melt.

Metal parts are very resistant to heat and can survive temperatures up to 2,000° F. It is important to note that, even at lower temperatures, the durability of silicon and most other metals breaks down as heat or flame exposure is prolonged. 

It’s also important to mention that a burned hard drive has a lot of toxic chemicals that can release toxic fumes.

what to do with a hard drive that was caught in a fire disaster. 

1. do not try to power up a hard drive.

You risk damaging the platters which may result in additional damage that is beyond repair. This is especially important to note if the heads were stuck over the platters.

2. do not open the case of a hard drive.

The rubber that normally seals the HDD is likely to turn into burnt dust and once you open the casing, this dust will float around inside the confined space and contaminate the platters.

3. do not place a hard drive in a refrigerator or freezer as an attempt to cool it.

The sharp drop from hot to cold can lead to condensation which will damage the internal components of the device.

4. do not attempt to clean a hard drive with water.

5. do not attempt to dry a hard drive that has become wet.

It could lead to further data loss due to corrosion. Do not use rice to dry the drive. Place the hard drive in a plastic bag with an airtight zip closure and wrap it with a damp paper towel to keep as much moisture in the device as possible. 

6. do not run a data recovery software.

7. do not attempt DIY recovery.

Any attempt at recovery on your own may lead to the data being completely and permanently irretrievable.

8. if you are unable to remove the hard drive from your device, remove the battery of the device (ex. laptop) and send the device to data recovery professionals.

9. if the drive is “sealed” in a melted computer, leave it intact and send the entire system to data recovery professionals.

10. contact a professional data recovery expert, especially if the data is critical.

Data recovery from fire damaged devices requires a unique set of skills.

11. consider any available backup data.

Having data readily available can make all the difference. 

Remember that there’s no time like the present to back up your data. 

All physical media issues require professional treatment in a carefully controlled environment.

Professional data recovery requires a huge amount of in-depth knowledge and certified equipment that make it possible to carry out repairs.

Data recovery engineers have to repair / replace damaged parts in a cleanroom environment. Cleanroom technology protects media by filtering out airborne contaminants and preventing electrostatic buildups, so that engineers can safely open a storage device to inspect and repair any physical damage on actuator heads, platters and other sensitive components.

Kotar Data Recovery offers free diagnostics for overheated, fire, water or smoke damaged hard drives. 

We assess media damage to create an accurate, risk-free evaluation with a price and turnaround estimate.

data storage.

Data storage refers to magnetic, optical or mechanical media that records and preserves digital information for ongoing or future operations.

There are two types of digital information: input and output data. 

Users provide the input data and computers provide the output data. However, a computer's CPU can't produce output data without the user's input. 

Users can enter the input data directly into a computer. This could be done manually, which would be time and energy inefficient. Instead, users can save data onto a storage device and instruct the computer to pull data from the storage device. 

A computer can read input data from various sources as needed, and it can then create and save the output to the same sources or other storage locations. Users can also share data storage with others. 

Organizations and users require data storage to meet today's high-level computational needs like big data projects, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and the internet of things (IoT). 

The other side of requiring huge data storage amounts is protecting against data loss due to disaster, failure or fraud. To avoid data loss, users can employ data storage as backup solutions. 

Modern computers connect to storage devices either directly or through a network. Users instruct computers to access data from and store data to these storage devices. 

data storage devices.

To store data, users need storage devices. 

There are two main categories of data storage devices: 

• direct area storage means that storage is nearby and directly connected to the computing machine. DAS can be floppy disks, CDs, DVDs, HDD, flash drives and SSDs and can provide decent local backup services, but sharing is limited.

• network-based storage means that it is off-site and more than one computer can access it through a network, which makes it better for data sharing. As an off-site storage capability it is also better for backups and data protection.

Two common network-based storage setups are network-attached storage (NAS) and storage area network (SAN).  NAS is often a single device made up of a redundant array of independent disks (RAID). 

SAN storage can be a network of multiple devices of various types, including SSD and flash storage, hybrid storage, hybrid cloud storage, backup software and appliances, and cloud storage. 

types of storage devices.

• SSD and flash storage

Flash storage is a solid-state technology that uses flash memory chips for writing and storing data. 

A SSD stores data using flash memory. Compared to HDDs, a SSD has no moving parts and, therefore, has less latency so fewer SSDs are needed.

• hybrid storage

SSDs and flash offer higher speed than HDDs, but all-flash arrays can be more expensive. Therefore, manufacturers developed a hybrid approach, mixing the speed of flash with the storage capacity of hard drives. This solution offers an economical way to transition from traditional HDDs without going entirely to flash. 

• cloud storage

Cloud storage offers a cost-effective and scalable alternative to storing files to on-premise hard drives or storage networks. Cloud service providers allow you to save data and files in an off-site location that you access through the public internet or a dedicated private network connection. The cloud provider hosts, secures, manages, and maintains the servers and infrastructure and ensures you have access to the data whenever you need it.

• hybrid cloud storage

Hybrid cloud storage combines private and public cloud elements. Organizations can choose which cloud to store data on; for example highly regulated data with strict archiving and replication requirements is usually stored to a private cloud while less sensitive data can be stored in the public cloud. 

• backup software and appliances

Backup storage and appliances make periodic data and application copies to a separate, secondary device and then use those copies for disaster recovery. Backup appliances can be HDDs, SSDs or servers.  Backup storage can also be offered as a service, also known as backup-as-a-service (BaaS).  BaaS protects data loss from disaster, failure or fraud and provides a low-cost option to protect data, saving it in a remote location with scalability.

how supply chain issues affect data storage.

We are facing great supply chain issue challenges and uncertainty has become the new normal.

Since the pandemic began, the world has been dealing with labor and material shortages, increased costs, global shipping problems, extreme weather events, intensified international political tensions, shifting customer buying patterns etc., and it is still unclear when these issues will end. 

The fact that 90% of the world’s advanced chips are built in Taiwan by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) makes a bad situation for data storage even worse.

A semiconductor chip shortage has affected storage systems both directly and indirectly. 

The direct effect is that the semiconductors for flash drive controllers are harder to come by and take longer to get. The same goes for the NAND chips and other memory types.

Indirectly, the chip shortage has also affected IT equipment that supports the storage systems. This equipment includes storage, backup servers and network equipment. There have also been shortages in resistors, capacitors and power management integrated circuits, which manage power on electronic devices, such as SSDs and high-performing servers.

prices of data storage.

As a result of all the above-mentioned problems, the prices of data storage are increasing, especially for SSDs which rely on semiconductor materials. 

Prices are on the rise at every stage of the manufacturing and delivery process. At the same time, increase in demand generated by the work-from-home and demand for data centers is causing an all-together increased demand for these products, contributing even further to the higher prices. 

On top of that, there is also the impact of crypto mining on the data storage market.

The rise in the farming of cryptocurrency caused prices for large capacity hard drives to jump, with crypto miners buying large cap drives for their mining rigs. Unlike the standard supply chain model in which customers and manufacturers communicate openly about their needs, crypto miners are an unknown entity. They consist of individuals and crypto farms without a direct connection to the manufacturers, making it nearly impossible to confidently accommodate them. It is difficult to ascertain how long this phenomenon will last, what the long-term effect on supply will be, or whether the demand spike will disappear.

how to protect against disruptions.

To protect against future disruptions, you need sufficient flexibility.

• plan ahead.

With escalating data volumes, planning is key.

Whether you are a storage administrator for a company or an individual home user, you should implement effective storage capacity planning. Order equipment in advance, buy extra components and store them. Have a good understanding of what it will take to support your storage requirements. 

• broaden the supplier base.

Be flexible, consider different purchasing approaches, such as purchasing pre-owned or refurbished components. Cultivate good relationships with suppliers. 

• look at the equipment at hand.

Identify what is inactive or underutilized, and then put that equipment to better use. At the same time, try to extend the lives of current systems as much as possible. Monitor and maintain these systems on an ongoing basis. Implement good data management practices to eliminate unnecessary or duplicate data, and archive the data that doesn't require everyday access.

• optimize operations.

Make operations as efficient as possible. Evaluate storage practices and modify them as necessary to optimize maintenance and utilization. 

• turn to the cloud.

Storage administrators might be able to address their immediate data needs quicker if they move some of the data to the cloud. This option is even more appealing for smaller organizations and individuals who compete against bigger customers for data storage products. 

delete or retain.

With the soaring prices and skyrocketing rate of data growth, businesses and individuals have to weigh the current and perceived future value of data against the burden and costs of storing, protecting and making that data available.

Business leaders recognize that data is a core driver for growth. Losing valuable data is equivalent to losing time and money. 

On the other hand, storing, protecting and extracting value from data is hindered by cyber threats, data sprawl and rising costs. 

So the question is: When do you delete or retain data?  

The challenge of what to retain, for how long, and at what cost is a struggle of modern society.

After you determine which data must be kept, whether that is classified business documents or treasured photos of your family, you should have a backup or secure archive of your important information, so that you can restore your data quickly and seamlessly in the event of data loss.

If you have accidentally deleted or lost your valuable data due to software corruption, hardware malfunction, physical damage, viruses, malware, or cyber criminals, Kotar Data Recovery Experts can help you recover your data using their advanced data recovery facilities and techniques.

electronic devices in summertime.

Summer means traveling, basking in the sunshine, swimming in the nearest body of water, and reveling in the great outdoors. Since we live in a digital world, wherever we go, our digital devices go with us. So while we are having a great time, we must not forget to be kind to our devices. They need protection from extreme weather just as much as we do.

extreme summer weather hazards.

heat.

Due to global warming, heat is increasingly becoming one of the biggest risks of summer months. This year has already seen spiking temperatures across the globe and is expected to be the hottest on record.

This heat and direct sunlight are not only a massive problem for people, but also for electronic devices. 

Overheating can cause drive failures and consequently, data loss. Electronic components operate at a specific current induced by a low voltage. The sensitivity of the components means that even a small fluctuation in voltage is dangerous. Excessive heat lowers the electrical resistance of objects, therefore increasing the current. 

In addition, a slowdown is a result of overheating. Components can shut down when overheated and the motherboard temperature sensor instructs hardware such as the hard drive and processor to slow down.

Suppose that you leave your cell phone or laptop in your car or under the sun on the beach and go around for a couple of hours - the sun rays can give your devices a fatal burn. If the device exceeds recommended heat limits, it will be literally fried. For that reason, always keep an eye out on your devices and the manufacturer's recommendations. While many electronics are designed to withstand up to 176 degrees Fahrenheit, the recommended temperature limit is 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Some devices will power themselves down to avoid this risk. But consistent high temperatures can lead to permanent damage to your device and data loss. 

To avoid overheating and data loss, store your electronic devices in a cool and dry place.

water.

It’s no secret that electronics and water (liquids) don’t get along. As we know, many electronic devices today come in waterproof versions. Because of this, waterproof cell phones make accidental dips in the pool or ocean a little less worrisome. However, if a device is not properly waterproofed, water can be deadly. Cell phones and tablets have multiple access openings that are susceptible to water damage. A quick dip into the water is all it takes for your device or smartphone to short circuit or stop working entirely. 

To protect your devices from water, try dry bags that are completely waterproof and inexpensive.

humidity and dryness.

Excess humidity or dry air can exaggerate the effects of extreme temperatures on electronic components. 

Keeping electronics in a hot, humid space is a recipe for disaster. 

The moisture can create condensation which can cause a short circuit and damage internal parts.

Dry air causes static electricity to build up. Coupled with the increased conductivity from heat, this can cause errant discharges. 

summer storms.

Summer storms can bring extreme heat, winds and flooding. This can result in power outages, electrical surges, electrical failure and data loss.

Data loss from power outages is most commonly a result of short-circuiting and subsequent fires from electrical surges. 

During a storm, be sure to power down and unplug all electrical cords to disconnect the devices from a potential deadly current. 

other vacationtime hazards.

sand.

After a day at the beach, sand always seems to find its way into every nook and cranny. Sand can wedge its way into speakers, jacks, and power cord plugs and cause damage to the internal hardware of your device.

If you find sand in your gadgets, try gently blowing to dislodge the sand. You can also use canned air. 

Dry bags that protect your devices from water can also help you keep sand out of your devices.

thieves.

If you need to bring your phone, laptop or other devices with you on your vacation, always keep an eye on them. Be aware that if you stash your device in a back pocket, or leave it on a table while you order your coffee, it could be gone in a flash. 

hackers.

Think no thief would want your old MacBook? You may be right, but what about the information stored on it? To keep your laptop secure while traveling, encrypt sensitive files, such as scanned personal or financial documents, business information, password lists, etc. If you use public Wi-Fi networks while traveling, set up a VPN (virtual private network) that will work in your destination country. 

Consider installing tracking software such as Prey, which not only locates your stolen laptop, tablet or phone but can even send you a picture of the person using it and allow you to remotely lock down your device. 

accidents.

Carefree vacation days can be ruined by clumsiness. A cell phone may slip out of your hands or your laptop accidentally falls to the ground. You can end up with a cracked screen or in the worst case scenario, your device breaks down.

Getting a hard case for your smartphone, tablet, and other devices is a good way to keep them protected from slips, drops, and falls. You should consider upgrading your case to one that is designed to take a hit.

what to do when your device experiences damage.

An improper or panicked response can cause additional damage. Therefore, it is important to know how to best respond.

• Do not attempt to power on or charge a laptop, cell phone and other device that has been subjected to heat, water damage, electrical surge or any other damage.

Powering up the device can cause further damage within the device.  It is possible that a hard drive which has sustained comprehensive external damage may still be perfectly operable internally. In either case, it’s important to take caution and have the device checked by a professional data recovery specialist as soon as possible. 

• Do not open, shake,or try to disassemble, or attempt to clean the inside of the damaged device. 

Improper handling can make the recovery more difficult and lead to valuable data loss.

• Do not attempt to dry out a water-damaged device or expose it to heat. 

Messing with saturated electronics could result in electrocution. 

• Do not place a heat damaged device in a refrigerator or freezer as an attempt to cool it. 

Just as extreme heat can cause damage to your device, so can excessive cold temperatures. The sharp drop from hot to cold can lead to condensation which will damage the internal components of the device, rendering it unusable.

• Do not attempt data recovery on your own with data recovery software if the device has suffered physical damage. Data recovery software is designed for a device that is not physically damaged. 

• Consider any available backup data. 

Having data readily available can make all the difference.  It is important to remember that there’s no time like the present to back up your data. A good backup strategy is the best way to ensure that all is not lost should your devices become exposed to power outages, theft, heat, water or any other damage.

• Contact a trusted data recovery company as soon as possible. 

They will instruct you on how to best handle and deliver the device. Recovering data from heat or water damaged devices requires a unique set of skills and it is best to trust the experts with recovering any critical data.

the best protection is backup.

While summer weather can not be avoidable, data loss is preventable. 

When traveling, it is always wise to back up your travel photos and important data while you are still on the road, just in case your camera, phone or laptop suffer a fatal blow. Bring an external hard drive, or upload your memories to the cloud.

Generally, the best way to protect yourself from data loss in any situation is by using a reliable offsite backup solution. Online backup stores your files offsite, so there is no risk of data loss due to electrical surges, heat or water damage. 

When you backup your data on physical storage devices like flash drives or external hard drives, you have to keep them in a separate place from your electronic device, otherwise the same disasters that can cause data loss on your computer, laptop or cell phone can cause you to lose your backed up files.

Take precautions and know that if the unthinkable happens, there are always data recovery options. 

If your data is critical, valuable, irreplaceable or exists only on the damaged device, do not risk losing it forever and contact a professional data recovery company immediately, since all physical media issues require treatment in a carefully controlled environment. 

Kotar Data Recovery successfully performs data recovery on physically damaged devices in a clean room environment, using specialized tools and techniques combined with over two decades of experience. This enables them to resolve the most complex and specific data recovery problems that their competitors often deem unrecoverable.

can you recover data for free at home.

Due to the enormous amount of data we store, it is inevitable that some will get lost, especially if we don't back it up regularly and diligently.

When faced with data loss, your first instinct would probably be to search online for a data recovery solution. The internet is a source of a lot of helpful solutions but, unfortunately, can also be a bottomless pit of bad advice. Because of this, you need to have deep knowledge about the storage device whose data you’re trying to recover in order to be able to filter between what is useful and what isn’t. Additionally, a single wrong step could cause your data to become completely unrecoverable. 

The general rule is that data recovery software can help in the event of accidental file/partition deletion, or other logical problems, while physical data recovery should never be attempted at home.

how data is stored on a hard drive.

Data is stored on a hard drive as a string of numbers which are then converted to binary numbers. Conventional numbers go from 0 to 9, while all numbers are represented as binary numbers - 0 and 1. 

A simple example would be a document containing just words, with each letter represented by a number. 

Photos are more complex, as each pixel needs to be assigned things like color and brightness. 

Videos are even more complex as they are made up of a series of photos while also containing sound. 

When you delete a file, you actually delete the master file table reference, which acts as a map to where the data is stored on your drive. The space is then marked as free, ready for new data to be written to it. 

Data recovery software scans for file signatures that identify potentially lost files, allowing for them to be recovered, but only if they haven’t already been overwritten.

how do you know if your hard drive is failing.

Symptoms that may indicate a failing drive are:

• The hard drive has been dropped. In this case, it is dangerous to power the drive up again, as it may increase the damage.

• You get a message from the computer saying that the hard drive is failing, and recommending that you backup your data.

• You receive a S.M.A.R.T. error.

• The drive starts clicking or making strange sounds.

• The computer has been getting slower, and you can hear more hard drive activity.

• The computer shows the BSOD (“Blue Screen of Death”) on a Windows PC, or a spinning ball or gray kernel panic screen on a Mac.

• The hard drive does not appear to be spinning up, or you have experienced problems following a power surge or interruption.

• If it takes an unusually long time to copy files from the drive. The same goes for if your recovery program estimates a completion time of days instead of hours, or you receive a warning such as “the process has slowed due to hardware malfunction” - in this case, it’s best to quit while you are still ahead.
  

You should not, under any circumstances, attempt a recovery at home if you experience any of the above mentioned conditions because you can make things much worse and reduce the possibility of a successful recovery, even if you take it to a professional data recovery company later on.

Along with that, if you bring the drive to a data recovery immediately after hard drive failure, they can, for example,  charge you $200 for recovery, while additional damage caused by DIY recovery attempts can cost you thousands of dollars.

why you should not attempt data recovery on a failed or failing drive.

• The drives that have been dropped or otherwise damaged may experience a head crash, with damage to the platters that hold your valuable data. The heads of a hard drive are designed to levitate a microscopic distance above the platters on a cushion of air created by the rotation of the platters. When the drive experiences physical shock, the heads may crash into the platters, which ruins the heads and will likely damage the delicate media as well. If you continue to operate a hard drive with a damaged head, the heads will continue scratching the platters and metallic particulates from the platter surfaces will contaminate the drive. This can make the drive unrecoverable.

• For hard drives that haven't been dropped, but are in the process of failing, a built-in feature that is designed to make the hard drive more reliable actually ends up making things worse. During normal operation, hard drives may develop bad areas. Special software on the drive, known as firmware, attempts to move the data to a safe area, and mark the errant sector as “bad”, so that it won’t be used again. This process is known as “sector reallocation.” If a hard drive's head is in the process of failing, it may mistake good sectors for bad ones, and start marking them out and moving the data in an almost continuous fashion. Sometimes the list that keeps track of where the good and bad sectors are becomes corrupted, and data recovery becomes more difficult.

when could you potentially try to recover data on your own.

If you’ve accidentally formatted your drive or deleted files you didn’t mean to, prematurely shut down your PC, or encountered a harmful virus, then you may be able to recover your data using any data recovery software. 

Some data recovery softwares work better than others with specific problems to be recovered.  Each software solution uses different recovery algorithms to reconstruct data. Research well online before purchasing.

Most data recovery software offer free versions that can be used to recover a small amount of data with no upfront cost. This is usually less than 1GB, which is good for a few photos or documents.  If you have to recover larger files such as videos, you will have to purchase a full license. 

Important: never install any data recovery software on the same drive/partition that your lost data/files are on.

The software can overwrite the sectors where your deleted data is still on and thus make data recovery unsuccessful. 

If the data is important and to be safe, you need to make a clone - sector by sector copy of the drive - and then perform the data recovery on the clone, so that if something goes wrong, you can always make another clone and try a different data recovery process on it.

when you should not try to recover data on your own.

Physical data recovery should never be carried out at home for several reasons:

• Hard drives are not designed to be opened, since even a small particle of dust can make your problem much worse, potentially leaving your lost data permanently unrecoverable. 

• If you attempt your own data recoveryand you unawarely recover data to the same drive, the recovered data will overwrite the hidden files that you are attempting to recover. In case the initial recovery attempt is not a complete success, this will severely limit your recovery options. 

• There are some basic risks of working on a hard drive that has not been professionally examined and diagnosed. For example: operating a drive with a bad head may cause the drive to eventually fail and become totally unrecoverable.  

Therefore, if your data is critical, valuable, irreplaceable or exists only on the failed drive, do not risk losing it forever and do not attempt DIY data recovery.  Data recovery on physically damaged devices should only be performed by a professional data recovery company in a controlled environment using special tools and techniques to maximize the results of the recovery.

Kotar Data Recovery has the equipment, expertise and experience to recover data from any make, model, brand or operating system, and from all types of data loss - including physical damage, deletion, reformatting, electronics failure or malware. 

SD card.

A memory card is an electronic data storage device used for storing digital media such as photos, videos, and data files - typically using flash memory. It’s usually used in small, portable devices such as digital cameras and mobile phones. 

The most common memory card formats today are SD and micro SD.

Since SD cards are used in phones and cameras, they tend to contain valuable files that document our lives. 

common causes of SD card data loss.

SD cards can lose your photos and videos for a wide range of reasons:

• damaged cameras

• reformatted SD cards

• corrupt files

• accidental file deletion

• unsafely ejected cards

• electrical damage

• cracked cards

• water, fire, or other physical damage

how to spot SD card data loss.

The following SD card errors usually indicate data loss:

- card not detected

- card not recognized by the device

- missing photos

- damaged photos (missing pixels, grayed-out appearance, lines running through image)

tips to prevent SD card data loss.

SD cards are great, however, they are fragile and don't like being mistreated.

Although SD card data loss is a common problem, many times it could be preventable.

To minimize the risk of potential failure, you should:

1. transfer photos from the card.

The most critical step in preventing data loss is transferring your pictures and videos from your SD card. If anything happens to your card in the future, you will still have your photos in another safe location.

Keep a backup of your images in at least two different locations. If you have a laptop with you, then the laptop becomes primary storage and the memory cards are secondary storage. If you have a laptop and an external drive, then those two become primary and secondary, while memory cards become tertiary storage.

2. backup cards to a cloud-based system.

Another crucial way to prevent data loss is to upload your images to a cloud-based storage system, such as iCloud or Google Photos. Doing so will allow you to access your photos and videos from any mobile browser, and dramatically decrease the chance of data loss.

3. use the “Eject” command to remove the card safely.

Once you finish backing up your photos on your computer, click the SD card icon and select “Eject.” You can now remove the card without risking accidental deletion or corruption.

4. store your SD card in a cool, dry place.

Hot, cold, or humid weather conditions can damage your SD card. It is recommended to store your card in a cool, dry location and limit the exposure to harsh weather conditions as much as possible.

5. avoid static charges.

If you are in a very dry environment and you wear clothes that gather a lot of static, you should avoid touching memory cards. While the exterior shell of most memory cards is made out of plastic, the pins that connect to devices are made from copper and other materials that conduct electricity. Since electrical components can easily get fried with a static charge, you want to avoid touching them.

6. mark used cards.

Mark or label the SD card after it was used to make sure you don't format a used card with the photos you need. While you can recover photos from properly formatted cards, the images you had before are not recoverable if you write anything over the formatted card, especially if you fill up the card with new images.

7. replace SD cards every few years.

Keep in mind that with any storage type, the question is not “if”, but “when” it will fail. SD cards fail and the more you use them, the more likely they are to fail at some point in time. Make it a good practice to replace them every so often. Also, keep in mind that new memory cards are most likely going to be much faster and potentially even more reliable compared to your old cards.

what to do when your SD card becomes corrupt.

To maximize the possibility of photos and videos recovery, you should:

1. stop using the card.

If you have inadvertently deleted images from your SD card or prematurely formatted the card, stop using that card. When you delete a file or reformat an SD card in your camera, the index information for those images is removed. However, the original image files usually are not deleted. To maximize your chances of recovering deleted files, don’t write any new data to the card until you have tried to recover the deleted files.

2. do not format the SD card.

Formatting your SD card may leave your images intact, though some cameras may wipe the data during a format and recovery isn’t guaranteed.

3. turn off your camera or smartphone.

This will prevent any future activity from damaging the card further.

4. remove the SD card from your device.

Carefully remove the SD card from your digital camera or smartphone. Try not to force the card if it appears stuck. You don't want to cause any more physical damage.

5. now you can try to use a data recovery application.

If the SD card is readable by your computer, you can try to download a data recovery application. The data recovery software will scan the entire card looking for images and data files that are still intact and haven’t been overwritten. These files aren’t visible in your operating system but can be retrieved by data recovery applications.

Searching for memory card file recovery tools online may lead you to results from dubious sources and questionable quality. Many memory card manufacturers provide their data recovery tools (either free or paid), but unfortunately, less reputable applications often obscure them in online search results.

Here are some proven data recovery applications from the biggest memory card manufacturers:

Lexar - a free Lexar Recovery Tool can recover various deleted file types on memory cards and USB flash drives.

Sony - a free file rescue tool called Memory Card File Rescue, designed specifically for Sony memory cards.

SanDisk - to recover deleted files, they recommend SanDisk RescuePRO and RescuePRO Deluxe from LC Technology. The trial version will only preview the found files. Actual recovery requires purchasing a license.

ProGrade Digital - they offer Recovery Pro, a file recovery application. The trial allows you to see files that can be recovered, but actual recovery requires purchasing a license.

Delkin - they also partner with LC Technology for file recovery software called PHOTORECOVERY. A demo version offers a preview of files that can be recovered. Actual recovery requires a license purchase.

Transcend - they offer a free data recovery application called RecoverRx.

Windows File Recovery - Microsoft provides a free application for Windows 10 or later, called Windows File Recovery that may be able to recover deleted files.

You don’t necessarily need to match the data recovery application with the card brand. Many applications will find deleted files on other manufacturers’ cards.

6. find a data recovery specialist.

When your SD card is physically damaged, it may no longer be readable by a computer. So, if your computer or laptop doesn't recognize your SD card, first try it on a different computer. Sometimes it's the reader at fault, not the card. If it is still not recognized, don't try to fix your SD card yourself. The last thing you want is to damage your SD card further or accidentally delete more photos. Instead, secure the SD card in its plastic case, a small bag, or a box and send the card to a professional data recovery company that has the specialized tools needed for accessing the data. 

if you’re planning a photo trip.

Photos and videos capture the precious moments in time that together create a story of feeling, beauty, and life.

In 1987, in order to recognize the role photography plays in modern society, May became National Photography Month.

If you are a photo enthusiast, follow these tips to avoid any unpleasant surprises and painful photo loss:

- check all your gear before you go on a trip (make sure everything is in working order)

- update the software on your laptop

-  be sure to have outlets for all your electronics – laptop, phone, battery charger

- if you’re going to a foreign country, be sure to have the right adapters

- bring enough memory cards so you won’t have to format while on your trip

- and last but not least - backup. If possible, bring an external hard drive to back up your precious images each day.

Unfortunately, no matter how planned our security measures are, most of us will at some point encounter SD card data loss which can be extremely stressful. Photos and videos document unique moments in our lives and when your SD card becomes corrupt and loses your irreplaceable images, you may feel like your memories have been lost along with it. For a professional photographer, sudden data loss can also mean weeks of lost work, which can have a serious economic impact on their business.

Kotar Data Recovery has extensive experience in recovering data from damaged SD cards. We pay special attention to privacy, safety and security. Our professional data recovery services include free shipping, free evaluation and a no data, no fee guarantee.

fake SSD.

Solid-state drives (SSDs) are the go-to storage device for the modern consumer. They are small, compact, fast, and less susceptible to physical damage due to the lack of moving parts inside. 

But as SSDs have become more widespread, fake SSDs are starting to appear more often.

Unfortunately, a number of fake SSDs are being sold at low prices online. Because they look so genuine, many people buy these products and put the data they store on them at risk.

Fake SSD users encounter two main problems:

- the actual drive's capacity is far different from the claimed one

- the drives use downscale chips that can't provide the appropriate level of data safety 

Fake data storage devices pose a threat to both corporate and individual computer owners as they may easily corrupt sensitive information, overwrite data, and cause permanent data loss. 

inside a fake SSD.

In our work, we’ve seen a few fake SSDs over the years.  

Usually, customers came to us after they started noticing that their data appeared to be going missing. 

That happened because inside a 2TB SSD, instead of an original circuit board with two terabyte memory chips, there was a smaller USB stick with multiple cheap USB flash drives glued together and an aluminum block for additional weight. 

In addition, the built-in USB stick was reprogrammed not only to display a capacity of 2 TB, which is much more space than its real capacity, but also to behave as if it actually had that capacity. 

The result is that every time the USB stick memory was exceeded, any new data added was replacing the old saved data, and any data that had been previously saved was overwritten.

how to spot and avoid a fake SSD.

- buy branded products.

When buying storage devices, you should buy branded products from a trustworthy seller online. 

Keep away from nameless data storage devices and little-known vendors. 

SSDs manufactured by renowned companies come with a warranty and proprietary solutions preventing user data from corruption and loss. 

- pay close attention to the labels and their shape.

Brand products usually come with lots of specific labels and stickers. Scammers know that. That is why fake data storage devices contain stickers that look familiar and as realistic as possible. 

Fortunately, there are a few things to look out at product labeling in order to recognize fakes. 

If the stamp is blurry, unclear and not neatly aligned, it could indicate a fake SSD. Fake SSDs usually have pale rectangle labels that have no glossy finish. 

Further on, fake data storage devices usually have no special prints with 3D effect on the back.

Also, a brand logo may look different. When in doubt, try to google for actual brand logos in order to see the difference. 

- check serial numbers.

Branded SSDs will have serial numbers that can be checked on the manufacturer’s website. If the serial number of the SSD is not recognized, the SSD is probably a fake.

- check the read/write speed and storage capacity

A fake SSD will probably have reduced read/write speeds, a smaller storage capacity, or more likely a combination of the two. However, even an SSD with a seemingly verified storage capacity may not actually be able to store that much data, since it is possible to reprogram the controller chip to display a higher capacity. You can use software such as Smartmontools  (S.M.A.R.T. Monitoring Tools - Disk Inspection and Monitoring) to display information relevant to the drive such as read/write speeds, storage capacity, and serial number to determine whether the SSD is fake.

- check the price range.
Additionally, you should check for an average price range of the product you are interested in to get an idea if the product is genuine or not. When you think that an offer or a price of an SSD is too good to be true, compared to others with similar specifications, the chances are that the product is most likely to be a fake. If you end up buying a cheaper than average storage device, there is a very high risk that you will lose the data you store on it with no chance of recovery.

- touch and feel an SSD.

You could check the feel of the SSD in your hands. A genuine SSD will feel sturdy and well-made. On the contrary, a fake SSD will feel flimsy.

To avoid an unpleasant experience and prevent critical data from corruption and loss, rely on your common sense and choose only proven data storage solutions. 

There is a very high risk that you will lose the data you store on a fake SSD. 

Nobody can guarantee a successful data recovery from fake data storage devices, especially if the data is overwritten.

However, if the data is critical, it is worth a try.

Kotar Data Recovery Lab is equipped with advanced tools, techniques and expertise to recover your critical data that has often been deemed unrecoverable by other data recovery companies.

world backup day.

World Backup Day is on March 31st. 

In 2011, digital consultant Ismail Jadun conceived the idea when he saw a Reddit post by a tech user who had lost his hard drive and wished someone had reminded him to back up the data.

The original idea for the March 31st date was a humorous reference to April Fool's Day on April 1st which symbolizes the idea that you would have to be a fool not to backup your data.

It’s a day for people to learn about the increasing role of data in our lives and the importance of regular backups. It’s  also a day to talk about the enormous task of preserving our increasingly digital heritage and cultural works for future generations. 

The day also raises awareness of the various ways data is at risk if not backed up from devices, being hacked or stolen, to accidental deletion and viruses.

Therefore, world backup day should be on our mind every day.

what is backup.

When you back up your data, you're making a second copy of anything and everything that you don't want to lose. Should something happen to the originals, you can restore the backups to your computer or phone with a backup service.

Technically, a backup just refers to any piece of data that exists in two places. The primary purpose of a backup is to have a recovery plan should the primary data become inaccessible, so it's common to keep backups offsite like online or, at the very least, on a second hard drive, even another internal one.

why should I backup.

In this modern digital w orld, we depend more and more on data. Unfortunately, there are hundreds of ways to suddenly have things go terribly wrong. 

There’s nothing more traumatizing than losing your phone, or having your hard drive crash, and having hundreds of valuable and irreplaceable documents, a college paper or your cherished family photos, suddenly disappear and you can’t figure out how to recover it. 

Losing files is way more common than you’d think. One small accident or failure could destroy all the important data you care about.  

You may feel your computer is safe, but 1 in 10 of all computers, including household and business computers, are infected with a virus that may suddenly cause all of your data to be gone.

Even more so, many of us live from our phones. Whether it’s for business, or just personal use, these electronic devices often contain gigs of valuable documents, pictures, videos, and music.  

Yet, research shows that 1/3 of people have never backed up their data.

Therefore, we can't stress enough the importance of routine data backup. It’s a lot easier to take the steps to prevent losing your data than it is to recover it after something happens. 

tips for backing up your data.

Unfortunately, every day businesses and individuals lose their information for good simply because they fail to follow one of the most basic of data related tasks: backup.

The good news is that backup isn’t that hard to do right. The hardest part is just getting around to doing it properly, or even at all.

Here are some simple tips that will help you to keep both your work and your home data safe.

1. follow the 3-2-1 rule.

   Having your data stored in multiple storage spaces will keep it more secure, especially if one storage space fails, for example, if your external hard drive is lost or broken. Following the 3-2-1 rule is very simple and will ensure that your data is properly backed up. The rule states that you should have 3 copies of your data, 2 acting as backups and 1 acting as the master copy. The master copy will be the one you will be typically working and reading from; in terms of a computer this is the internal drive. The two backups should ideally be done in different forms of media, one of them acting as a local backup while the other is being kept off-site. External drives are typically the media of choice for local backups, while cloud storage is usually selected as the offsite backup.

2. choose the right option for you.

   There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to data backup. External hard drives are a physical unit you plug directly into your computer. They can be used with a variety of devices so you can access your data anywhere. What you end up choosing will depend largely on your needs, desires and overall lifestyle. External SSDs can offer its users great portability and performance, all packed in very small dimensions. On the other hand, people who value high storage capacity more than speed, might find external HDDs their ideal solution. Cloud-based storage, on the other hand, is completely digital. It can be used across multiple devices. Using consumer services like iCloud, you can send your data across the Internet to a data center, where your information is stored in their storage arrays. There are relatively inexpensive monthly or annual subscriptions for the service, and you don’t have to buy any hardware.

3. set it and forget it.

   Cloud-based storage and external hard drives both give you the option to set up automatic data backups on a recurring basis. This way, even in case of an emergency, you won’t have to worry about the last time you backed everything up.

4. protect against cyberattacks.

   Unfortunately, the increase in technology use has also caused an increase in cybercrime. Backing up your data helps secure your information if your device becomes compromised. You’ll also need to make sure you’re running the latest antivirus software.

5. test your backup.

   One of the worst things that could happen is finding out in the midst of an emergency that your backup isn’t working properly. Remember that you haven’t really backed anything up unless you can actually restore it. We’ve helped numerous people over the years who’ve made backups regularly and carefully, but weren’t able to get back the files they wanted when they needed to. Therefore, you should test your backups by scheduling and running some "restore drills” to get an idea of how long it takes to get the backup ready for restoring, how long it takes to restore all files, how easy it is to recover a specific file among your entire backup, and how reliably and seamlessly the process is running.

6. don’t put it off until tomorrow.

   Remember Murphy’s Law? “In any field of endeavor anything that can go wrong, will go wrong”. Your computer systems and devices are not an exception to the rule. Regardless of how reliable and safe you think they are, there is always a chance you might lose your data without the possibility of recovering it. The only backup you will ever regret is the one you didn’t make.

your data is more valuable than your device.

Hardware is cheap and getting cheaper, while your data is getting more expensive or even priceless.

If something goes wrong, you can get a new computer or phone, but you can't replace the term paper you spent weeks  on writing, years of collection of music and movies, video of your child’s first steps, or critical business data. 

Let's make this year's world backup day a day when we finally stop saying, “I’ll do it tomorrow,” and make sure all our precious digital documents are protected.  

Unfortunately, unforeseen things can still happen. 

If anything goes wrong and you experience a data loss emergency, at home or at work, Kotar Data Recovery can recover your data from any device, any situation, any time.

evolution of the HDD.

1950s - the beginnings

The world's first HDD was invented in 1953 in IBM’s laboratory in San Jose, California and then patented in 1956.

The IBM 305 RAMAC was the first commercial computer that stored data on a moving-head hard disk drive.

It consisted of two independent access arms that moved up and down to select a disk, and in and out to select a recording track, all under servo control. RAMAC 305 came equipped with fifty 24-inch platters and had a total capacity of 5MB. IBM touted the system as being able to store the equivalent of 64,000 punched cards. It was the size of two large refrigerators, weighed over a ton and cost $10,000 per megabyte.

IBM continued to lead the development of hard disk technology over the next couple of decades.

1960s

• In 1961, the IBM 1301 Disk Storage Unit was released, which featured a separate arm and head for each recording surface, significantly reducing maximum access times. The IBM 1301 was also the first hard drive which utilized heads that floated on a thin layer of air, which allowed the heads to be kept closer to the platters, improving efficiency. The drive’s capacity was drastically increased, offering up to 205 MB, depending on the number of platters installed. However, the 1301, like all of the early hard drives, was incredibly expensive. It could be leased for $2,100 a month, or purchased for $115,500.  

• In 1963 the IBM 1311, the world's first removable HDD was introduced. It contained 6 removable disks and could hold 2.6MB of data. It was about the size and shape of a top-loading washing machine.

• In 1964, the IBM 2311 was the first standardized disk drive which could be used across multiple versions of the IBM System/360 mainframe computer system.

• In 1967, both Hitachi and Toshiba entered the HDD industry.

• In 1968, Memorex came onto the scene with Memorex 360, a hard drive compatible with IBM systems. This was the first company separate from IBM to produce an IBM-compatible disk drive and the first time there was real competition within IBM’s relative dominance of the industry.

1970s

• In 1970, Western Digital was founded in California.

  With IBM 3330 in 1970, IBM managed to combine all the components of a hard drive into a much smaller casing. It was also the first model with error correction built into the hard drive to tolerate smaller imperfections of the disk surface.

• In 1973, the IBM Winchester Drive was introduced.  Winchester drives came standard with lubricated platters, low-mass heads, all housed within a sealed assembly. The fundamentals of this design were standard until 2011. It was originally named after the Winchester 30-30 rifle because it was supposed to come with two 30MB spindles.

• In 1977, the first RAID assembly patent was filed.

• The Seagate company was founded in 1979. The same year IBM introduced "Piccolo", the world's first 8-inch HDD.

1980s - introduction of PC

The 1980s saw the introduction of the PC, with manufacturers like Hewlett-Packard, manufacturing hard drives compatible with minicomputers. Microcomputer was formerly a commonly used term for personal computers. But hard disk drives for use in PCs were initially quite rare, due the still incredibly high cost. Hewlett-Packard’s 7935 HDD cost around $27,000. PCs typically utilized floppy disks or cassette tape drives, both as secondary storage and as transport media. By the late 1980s, hard disk drives had decreased in cost and were standard on most PCs. They continued to get smaller.

• In 1980, IBM released the 3380, the world’s first gigabyte capacity HDD with 2.5GB of storage. However, the cost was still incredibly high at $40,000 and it also weighed more than 500 pounds.

  That same year, Seagate introduced ST-506, the world's first 5.25-inch HDD for use in microcomputers. It could store 5MB of data and was priced at $1,500.

• In 1983, the world's first 3.5 inch HDD was produced by the Scottish company, Rodime. The drive had two platters and could store 10 MB of data.

• In 1985, Control Data, Compaq, and Western Digital came together to create the first 40-pin IDE interface.

• 1986 saw the introduction of the SCSI interface standard, which was used by Apple’s Mac Plus computer.

• In 1988, PrairieTek introduced the world's first 2.5-inch hard drive, designed for use in notebook computers. It had a 20MB capacity on two disk platters.

1990s - portable computers

Throughout the 1990s, hard disks continued to sell more units, and decrease in size.

• In 1990, Western Digital launched their first 3.5-inch IDE drive.

• In 1991, the Integral Peripherals Mustang 1820 was introduced, the world's first 1.8-inch HDD.

• In 1992, Seagate produced the first shock-sensing hard drive. Due to the fragility of hard drives, this was a very useful invention. The same year, Seagate also delivered the first 7200 rpm hard drive, a 2.1GB Barracuda.

• In 1997, IBM produced 16.8GB “Deskstar 16GP Titan, the first hard drive to use giant magnetoresistance (GMR) heads that are typically used in modern disk drives.

• In 1998, IBM released the Microdrive with 340GB of data stored on a single 1-inch platter.

turn of the millennium.

• In 2000, Maxtor acquired Quantum, making them the largest hard drive manufacturer in the world. Although, in just six years, Maxtor would be completely bought out by Seagate.

• In 2003, Seagate released the first serial ATA or SATA drive.

  The same year, IBM sold its data storage division to Hitachi and exited the HDD development industry.

• In 2005, Hitachi developed the first 500GB drive.

• In 2006, Seagate acquired Maxtor and produced the first 750GB HDD.

• In 2007, Hitachi developed the world's first 1TB HDD.

  That same year, Seagate and Samsung introduced the first hybrid drives that promised some of the performance of a solid-state drive with the capacity of a mechanical drive. They were bigger than an SSD and faster than a plain-old mechanical drive.

• In 2008, the first 1.5TB hard drive was unveiled by Seagate, once again taking the lead.

• In 2009, the first 2TB hard drive was introduced by Western Digital.

Capacity of hard drives really started to take off and continued to increase towards the end of the decade.

2010s

Over the years, technology has evolved, our lifestyle has changed, and we needed more and more data storage capacity.

• In 2010, the first 3TB hard drives were released in a collaboration between Seagate and Western Digital.

• In 2011, the first 4TB hard drive was introduced by Seagate.

• In 2012, HGST, after being acquired by Western Digital, announced the first helium-filled HDD.

• In 2013, Seagate introduced the first 5TB HDD.

  The same year, HGST announced a 6TB helium drive for enterprise applications.

• In 2014, Seagate released the first 6TB and 8TB non-helium drives.

• In 2015, HGST officially shipped the world’s first 10TB HDD.

• 2016 marks the 60th anniversary of the hard disk drive.

• In 2019, Seagate ships the world's first 16TB HDD for data centers and raises the bar for NAS drives.

The decade saw the decline of hard disk drive sales and gradual increase of solid-state drives which offer higher speeds and increased durability due to their lack of moving parts. Hard drive shipments peaked in 2015, and fewer were sold every year after.

2020s

• In 2020, Seagate shipped the first 18TB.

• In 2021, the first Seagate 20 TB HAMR drives were released.

  Also, Western Digital introduced 20TB HDD with OptiNAND Technology, the new storage architecture that optimizes and integrates HDDs with iNAND® embedded flash drives.

• In 2022, Seagate and WDC are expected to provide general availability of dual actuator HDDs that double the data rate out of the HDD.

• Seagate has projected 30TB HDDs by 2023, with 50TB HDDs possible by 2026.

Historically, more than 224 companies have produced HDDs. Today, most hard drives are produced by only three manufacturers: Western Digital, Seagate and Toshiba.

There have been huge changes in physical size, storage space and price of hard drives over time.

65 years on, hard drives are virtually unrecognizable from their very first models. The hard drive has transformed from an excessively expensive room-sized appliance capable of storing just a few megabytes of data, to an affordable pocket-sized device that can stash terabytes.

the future of HDD.

HDDs unit shipments and sales revenues continue to decline due to SSDs. SSDs are replacing HDDs in applications where speed, power consumption, small size and durability are important. Along with these,  the cost per bit for SSDs is falling, and the price premium over HDDs has narrowed.

However, SSDs can’t yet compete with the capacity and performance of HDDs. It is worth mentioning that, for the first time in recent years, unit shipments of hard disk drives demonstrated a positive dynamic in 2021 which saw an all-time record of these shipped due to demand from operators, exascale data centers and cryptocurrency miners.  

In the future, hard disks are set to expand the storage capacity with the help of new techniques (microwave and heat-assisted magnetic recording, or MAMR and HAMR), collectively called energy assisted magnetic recording or EAMR.

Hard disk’s high density storage provides high performance and record capacity for hyperscale, cloud, data centers to efficiently and cost-effectively manage ever-increasing amounts of data. They are needed to support AI, big data, heavy data analytics, data modeling, deep learning and countless emerging applications that are consuming, managing and analyzing a lot of data in real-time.

Hard drives will continue to be important to store the world's data in the future.

As the prices of hard drives have dropped, the value of data stored on them rises. Hard drives are the keeper of our memories, work files, studies, research papers, favorite music tracks, personal videos and photos. They are the digital archives of our lives.

Unfortunately, life is unpredictable and things can happen unexpectedly. If an accident happens, the hard disk is damaged and you risk losing all of your digital content, the good news is that, in most cases, there is a good chance that it can be recovered.

Kotar Data Recovery is equipped with the technology, expertise and unique solutions needed to access and successfully recover data from any data storage device in a safe, professional and affordable way.

250GB hard drive from 1979

winter data loss.

Are you used to turning your office heat off in order to lower utility bills on a weekend?

Have you ever left your laptop or iPod in the car on a cold winter day?

Did you drop your phone in the snow while capturing the idyllic winter scenes?

winter data loss threats.

cold.

Sensitive electronics need protection from extreme weather. Leaving them in cold weather conditions can severely damage them. This can cause data to become innecassible or even permanently lost. 

• risk to smartphones cold exposure

Winter colds can reduce battery performance and damage your device’s components. Operating guidelines may vary from one manufacturer to another. However, most smartphones have operating ambient temperatures between 32° and 95° Fahrenheit. Their non-operating temperatures are below -4° and above  113° Fahrenheit. There's a small gap between these temperature ranges where your smartphone will continue to operate, but not at its best.

In addition to reducing battery performance, extremely cold temperatures can cause the device to modify its own ability to regulate temperature. Exposure to frigid temperatures will slow down the battery’s electric currents that in turn speeds up the rate at which it releases its charge. 

The best way to protect your phone from long-term damage is to turn it off, especially if you plan to be in extreme temperatures for an extended period of time.

If you really have to take your phone out in the cold, keep it in your pocket rather than in your bag. A bag offers some protection, but keeping your phone against your body allows your body heat to keep it from reaching critically low temperatures.

If you notice that your phone gets wet or experiences condensation due to the cold, turn it off and dry it completely before you turn it back on.

• risks to HDD cold exposure

Most hard drive manufacturers specify a normal operating temperature between 40° and 140° Fahrenheit. While it may seem that the drive can function in temperatures below or above the suggested range, doing so can degrade the quality of the HDD. 

If a laptop or computer was left in a very cold environment, it should sit in a room temperature environment for at least four hours before operation. This allows the computer’s hard drive to adjust to the new temperature, preventing any issues. 

The most basic component of the HDD that can be affected is its ability to boot up. Most liquids will freeze if they are in cold enough temperatures. The lubricant that enables your platters to spin may freeze, preventing the read/write heads from reading your data. If the platters do spin, the cold can slow down their spinning speeds, which can corrupt the data when the heads attempt to locate the information. 

Another possible risk is condensation. When you take your external hard drive or laptop out into the frosty environment, your destination is most likely a warm place indoors. The drastic change from extreme cold to warm can cause condensation to form in your drive. And water damage puts your drive at risk for data loss. Best thing you could do in this situation is to slowly acclimate your drive to the heat by keeping it in the box or bag it was transported in and gradually introduce it to room temperature.

You can monitor the health of your drive, including the temperature, using special software that diagnoses and reports vital information about your machine. 

However, it is much easier and cheaper to be cautious and only take your device out in the cold if it is absolutely necessary and let it adjust to room temperature before powering it on.

snow.

In addition to the cold, winter usually brings snow. Wherever we go, we always take our phones with us to capture the precious moments we experience. But, as we all know well, accidents happen when we least expect them to.

Eventually, snow turns into water. Being aware of this, it is well worth investing in a water-resistant case to protect your phone from water damage.

• what to do if you drop your phone or any other electronic device in the snow:

a. Turn it off.

If you drop your smartphone in the snow when turned on, it’s more susceptible to damage, but it is worth the risk to turn it off. If your phone is off when it’s submerged, do not turn it back on. Take it indoors immediately and remove the battery to prevent a short circuit, which can lead to hardware damage and data loss. Never remove the battery while you’re still outdoors as you risk freezing any water that may have seeped into the battery compartment. Always dry your device before trying to restore power.

b. Remove SIM card.

If your device uses a SIM card, remove it to save your stored information such as contacts, emails, texts, apps, pictures, videos. Modern SIMs are usually not used as a memory bank anymore since phones come with plenty of memory, and lots of storage is now cloud-based.  

c. Dry the Outside of your Phone.

Do your best to dry the surface of the device. Gently shake your phone to remove water and moisture. Use a clean microfiber cloth or paper towel and gently dry all surfaces: the screen, keyboard, and ports. If your phone was protected by a case, remove it to prevent the risk of trapped moisture. 

Don’t use the sun’s rays to dry a wet phone. In just a few minutes of direct sun contact, the internal temperature of phones can rise above 150 degrees, causing irreversible damage to internal components. 

d. Dry the Inside of your Phone.

Place your phone in an airtight container with packets of silica gel to absorb moisture. If you have no silica gel packets handy, fill a bowl with uncooked rice and bury the device in the rice. This will draw out moisture. Leave the phone to dry for at least 48 hours. Two days without your phone can be painful but it could save your data and prevent the need for a new phone. 

Do not use a hairdryer, an oven, or a microwave to speed up the process. This can cause more damage to your phone than the original water itself. In general, avoid any form of heat near a wet electronic device. 

static electricity.

A lesser known side effect of cold air is static electricity. 

During dry winters, static electricity can build up and static discharges can instantly damage electronics.

When the air is dry and people wear several warm layers, static easily passes between people and objects. Static damage to a drive occurs when a charge finds a path to ground itself. To prevent your drive from being the grounding platform, try to ground yourself by touching a metal object to remove the charge from your body before handling your drive.

how to prevent data loss due to cold winter weather conditions.

Plan ahead, take precautions to avoid exposure to extreme cold temperatures and keep your devices dry and away from static electricity. 

But most importantly, back up your data regularly. A regular backup plan can prevent permanent data loss.

If your important data has been lost due to severe weather conditions, a professional data recovery service is probably your last resort. 

Kotar Data Recovery has the equipment, expertise and experience to deal with all types of data loss due to environmental damages. 

don't let the Grinch steal your data.

Holiday season is a time of joy, love, gratitude and gifting.

Unfortunately, the holiday season can quickly become hectic, flooded with online opportunities and exclusivity that all prompt us to swipe, slide, insert, and scan our way to the best deals.

With the majority of shoppers trying to take advantage of online deals, cyber criminals focus their efforts on the holidays. Unfortunately, this has resulted in cybersecurity threats, fear of data breaches and personal data and identity theft becoming a common part of the season.

While navigating the internet and looking for holiday discounts, always be vigilant and protect yourself from attacks from prowling cybercriminals.

Keep the season merry and bright by following these simple tips:

Don't leave your computer unprotected from scams, malware, viruses, and other online threats.

Do install firewall, virus and spyware protection software.

Don't use a search engine to find deals. 

Do go directly to a website you trust.

Don't Immediately click on pop-ups or digital ads. 

Do install ad blocker software.

Don’t take the scammers’ bait.

Do ask questions when a business calls and never give out personal information over the phone or email.

Don't befriend strangers on social media. 

Do be aware of numerous social media scams.

Don't click on email attachments, unless from a trusted source. 

Do delete "best deal" emails with attachments.

Don't use public Wi-Fi to shop. 

Do utilize a secure, password protected internet connection.

Don't use debit cards for online shopping. 

Do use a credit card for online purchases.

Don't let your credit cards out of your sight as the skimmers or card readers can hide in many places.

Do be always aware of credit card skimming.

Don't randomly scan QR codes. 

Do be selective in which QR codes you scan, especially in public places.

Don't include extra personal information when checking out. 

Do fill required fields only.

Don't use a one-size-fits-all password. 

Do create a unique passwords for each website, especially sensitive accounts.

Don't be content with single authentication. 

Do enable two-step verification for sensitive websites and services.

Don't necessarily create a customer account for checkout. 

Do check out as a guest whenever possible, so your name, address, and credit card information is not saved.

Don't ignore unfamiliar charges. 

Do monitor your bank and credit card statements carefully.

Don't be careless with your credit. 

Do monitor your credit report to avoid a stolen identity.

Kotar Data Recovery Team wishes you a delightful and cheerful holiday season!