Data loss is the erasure, corruption or physical destruction of data resulting in it going out of the user's reach. So, data loss happens when, due to a problem, you cannot access information that you either own or have the authorization to access. Data loss need not happen from a computer only. The SIM card of our cell phone getting corrupted, previously taken photographs in our digital cameras getting over-written, the iPod dropping accidentally into a bowl of soup ? all of these are examples of data loss. In the following, we have tried to concentrate only on data loss that happens from personal computers as owned by the average home user.

How Does it Happen?

Data loss happens, broadly speaking, in two ways. Data in any format is dependent on two types of components ? hardware and software. So any defects in these will cause data to be lost. But we are including a third component today ? which is failure of the OS. This is because this is not really an issue with any isolated software, but jeopardizes the entire functioning of the system.

Hardware Problems

Data loss through hardware issues can happen in the following ways:

• Natural Elements: All digital storage media are susceptible to fire, water, heat, humidity, dust and shock. Some manufacturers have claimed that their USB drives are waterproof, but it won't be wise to test that out. A drop of water or a speck of dust is enough to damage the hard disk inside your computer fatally. Direct sunlight is also not good for most digital goods. Humidity is really bad as it can damage the metal surfaces. A hard disk can stand shock up to a level, but the data will literally fly off the disk if it drops very fast from a great height.



• Natural and Human Disasters: Given the damage that can be caused to digital goods by natural elements as described above, fires, floods, storms or earthquakes cause great data loss. The same applies to war, bombings or terrorist attacks.



• Hardware Issues: The hard disk is prone to failure due to a number of reasons. Besides, the other related hardware such as read and write heads, optical drives, the fan, the circuitry ? anything may malfunction. Wrong plugging in of cards or wires will also blow the disk or motherboard.



• ESD: Electro static discharges not even enough to raise goose pimples on our skin can electrocute the delicate circuitry inside the machine. Similarly, power spikes and surges can also have the effect of a lightning strike.

Software Problems

Data loss through software goof-ups can happen through reasons like these:

• Virus Attack: This is one of the common ways in which the data could be corrupted or deleted. A virus, after all, is a programme, so it qualifies for software data loss.



• Accidental Deletion or Formatting: Overwriting, deleting, and formatting are accidents that happen at one click of the mouse, and we can only exercise caution in such matters.



• Fragmentation and File Corruption: Does your computer show bad sectors? Are the programmes not operating properly and the system hanging or freezing often? Be careful because you are headed for a major data loss scenario. Over-fragmentation of a file will push it beyond the capacities of DIY recovery software or even proper professionals.

Operation System Failures

An OS should ideally never crash. But it does, usually, due to any of the software-related issues mentioned above.

How to Prevent Data Loss

Here are a few handy ways to stop data loss.

• Do not store your data on the same logical partition with the OS.



• Take regular backups of data that you consider to be particularly important, precious or can't create again.



• Install and update your antivirus software and firewall regularly. Buy all such software from a licensed dealer and in original versions.



• Use a UPS and do not plug in your computer, vacuum cleaner and television from the same socket.
  
  
• Keep the computer and peripherals clean and away from windows.



• A DIY software can be used for logical data loss cases, for hardware issues, approach a recovery firm and do not tamper with your system.