Hard Drive Data Recovery After Ransomware Strikes!

Attacks using ransomware continue to be a risk for businesses, local governments, and nonprofit organizations, no matter how you look at it. Even with seriously high quality anti virus products available for cheap or no cost.

Since 2014, more than 450 local governments, including city and county governments, have been victims of ransomware attacks, according to a recent look at public records. Meanwhile, the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) reported a 150% rise in ransomware infections between April 2020 and July 2021. This is in contrast to the fact that private entities do not always report attacks (mainly due to embarrassment, stigma, etc).

Your choices are limited in the event that malicious actors are successful in deploying ransomware: you can either restore the data using a backup or search for professional ransomware data recovery options. You’ll notice I didn’t say, “pay the ransomware”. This is because even when you pay the ransom in ransomware, there is rarely a guarantee that you will actually get your data back unscathed. These are the worst grifters out there, and paying them might be the worst thing to do.

At Hard Drive Recovery Associates, we specialize in ransomware recovery services, offering the direction and advice that are required for your organization to take the appropriate steps to relief. Remember these helpful hints before attempting to decrypt files encrypted by ransomware.

1. Keep in mind that there are some ransomware infections that can be easily fixed.

Ransomware can encrypt data as its primary method of operation; however, some variants employ encryption techniques that are simple to circumvent and save yourself from. White-hat hackers have developed a large number of tools to combat common infections, and with the assistance of a professional data recovery company like HDRA, it is possible that you will be able to restore encrypted data without losing a significant amount of uptime.

Common ransomware variants that have decryptors that are accessible to the public include the following:

• Ziggy
• Synack
• Avaddon
• Judge Atom
• Prometheus LockFile
• Prometheus LockFile Pro

This list is not intended to be anywhere near exhaustive, as there may have been many more ransomware packages created by the time you read this. The No More Ransom Project provides access to decryption tools without charging a fee.

When using free decryption tools, we advise exercising extreme caution: On complex systems, you might not get a second chance at a recovery that is completely loss-free if you use certain tools that require advanced data restoration techniques and are designed for enterprise-level systems. Collaborate with a partner like HDRA or a local Computer/Virus repair shop that has experience dealing with ransomware to ensure the most successful recovery possible.

2. There is no guarantee that preventing data loss by paying the ransom will work.

While we did mention this above, it is worth restating. Many folks assume that when ransomware attacks systems that are essential to an organization’s operations, the most sensible course of action is to pay the demanded amount. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that this will work. In fact, less than 10% of people who pay the ransom demanded by ransomware attackers get all of their data back, according to a recent report. It is not possible to restore data that has been encrypted by some kinds of ransomware, and the encryption process may render important files (such as databases) unusable.

In addition, paying ransoms provides those responsible for the attack with powerful incentives to carry out additional attacks either on you or on other organizations. Numerous instances have been documented in which businesses have been hit by multiple ransomware infections in a short period of time, frequently at the hands of the same group of cybercriminals.

3. Gain a thorough understanding of the ransomware infection’s scope.

In the event of a catastrophic ransomware attack, many businesses seem to immediately take action to restore mission-critical systems; however, quickly restoring from a backup system can have consequences that were not intended. A significant number of ransomware variants are designed to attack backup devices or additional drives such as external or NAS drives.

Additionally, modern ransomware variants frequently have a “dormant stage.” If the ransomware has already spread through backups (and possibly even archival systems), any attempt to restore the data could delay the process of finding a solution.

The best move for any professional System Admin is to immediately conduct an audit of all data storage systems. Keep a record of your evaluation and make an effort to pinpoint the exact date and location of the infection. Isolate networks and data management devices, and under no circumstances should you attempt to restore data (even if backups are kept on air-gapped media) before the assessment has been finished.

4. Attacks using ransomware that are more targeted require the use of specialized resources.

There are variants of ransomware that are designed to specifically target certain architectures. Using decryption tools that are freely accessible to the public does not usually make it possible to recover lost data.

The BlackMatter ransomware group, which claims to be the successor to the notorious Darkside and REvil groups, seeks to encrypt data on corporate networks belonging to companies with annual revenues of at least $100 million. “Ransomware-as-a-Service” (RaaS) organizations offer remuneration to individuals working for large companies in exchange for the creation of backdoors that improve their chances of successfully infiltrating the target organization.

Targets frequently attacked by ransomware groups include the following:

• Institutions of higher education such as colleges and universities
• Service providers in the professional and legal sectors
• Providers of software offered as a service, or SaaS
• Retail and e-commerce companies
• The offices of the central, state, and local governments

Ransom demands for targeted attacks can be quite massive, depending on the type of organization and the level of sabotage. Data recovery solutions can vary widely depending on the severity of the ransomware attack, the IT architecture of the organization, and the level of ransomware encryption sophistication.

Ransomware Best Defense? Strong Disaster Recovery Procedures

Most businesses are able to avoid suffering significant data loss as a result of ransomware infections if they have air-gapped backups. You will be able to put your disaster recovery plan into action more quickly if you continuously look for signs of infections and report them. However, even with a strong defense, attacks can still cause key systems to become compromised.

A data recovery partner with extensive experience is the second-best line of defense. Hard Drive Recovery Associates runs full-service laboratories that are equipped with their own proprietary decryption tools, and our engineers have a combined experience with enterprise systems that spans decades. We are the leading ransomware recovery provider in the industry, so we have the technical resources and the expertise to quickly get your data back, thereby minimizing the amount of time that your business is offline during an emergency.



Hard Drive Data Recovery After Ransomware Strikes! was initially published on The Hard Drive Recovery Associates Blog

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Avoid Hard Drive Failure With Solid Drive Management

At Hard Drive Recovery Associates, we specialize in recovering data from damaged hard drives (HDD), solid state drives (SSD), and RAID and NAS systems. We’ve also provided guides about external drive storage suggestions, the differences between types of hard drives, and how hard drives degrade over time. One question worth asking is “What should someone do with a lifetime’s worth of data?”

Keeping your data manageable and clean isn’t as easy as you might expect. A lot of people let their data run wild, storing it in various places such as external drives, on the cloud and all over the place. This can make tracking where important files are a new, brutal task. But keeping your data in good order can change that game markedly, while ensuring that you won’t experience hard disk failure.

1. Always Label Your Most Critical Drive And Its Contents

Choose a label for your drive that makes sense. So, one could be labeled “Photos, Videos, Family Stuff”, while another could be called “Important Documents And Work”, as a pretty good example.

Once you’ve created a label, inventorying the drive is a great idea. Try making a Spreadsheet that you save on that drive that details all the files or types of files on that drive. While you certainly don’t have to track everything, the most important files should be documented. “Photos, Videos, and Family Stuff” could include a Spreadsheet with information of what all is saved there. Many folks want to chronicle their stuff by date, and if that works for you, go for it. Remember that Windows does give you an idea of when a file was created, so this can help as well.

Some people actually write the drive’s contents in cursive and then attach the paper with scotch tape to the drive. It’s old skool, for sure, but it works!

However you write down the information, it should mirror how it is then labeled inside that hard drive. That way when you look at the contents list, you know how to search for it in the drive itself.

2. Clear Out Junk Files And Duplicates

Sometimes data can be a hard thing to get through, almost becoming like stuff in a junk drawer. What all is in there? You’re not sure, but you’re almost certain that one day you’ll need it, although you’re not sure what for. Remember that like a junk drawer, you probably don’t need half of the stuff.

Clear out duplicate, useless or old files the same way you clean a room; pick one area and start there. Attacking by file type tends to work well, like say photographs, and start clearing them out. Sure, you’ll probably keep a lot of them, but how many completely out of focus photos would you consider “must haves”? Meanwhile, any business or accounting stuff that is over 7 years old can easily be jettisoned. Work it!

3. Name Your Files

Personal desktop or laptop computers are often the first places people experience cluttered data storage. Everything can end up saved across different apps and areas making it hard to find things.

The first thing to do is simple; accurately name and label every new data file. Crafting a simple file name template can allow a person to create a more orderly hard drive without creating a single new file or using an external hard drive. Use a title template that helps, something like, “File-Title-Type-Date.docx”, which might be “How To Recover Data – Article – July22.docx”.
Instead of a series of random titles, now a person only needs to remember the format they used here to label files so they can better relocate them.

4. Identify the Drive

If you absolutely need an external drive for additional files, the first step should be identifying what the drive is needed for. For example, do you need something that’s short-term storage or something you’ll be working with regularly? If yes on the latter, perhaps an SSD drive is necessary that will only store active projects and applications being routinely utilized. Or maybe it needs to be long-term storage for rarely utilized things, so a HDD could be utilized.

Establishing why that external drive is being used is essential to determining what type of drive is best needed. This also makes it easier to sort and keep track of where data is being stored.

5. Rinse and Repeat

The last step is to repeat this process. It doesn’t have to be something that you do weekly or monthly but should probably be considered more than once in a lifetime.

How often you do it depends largely on how much you’re using a computer. As a large data user, like a videographer, perhaps every other month or once a quarter works. Maybe once every six months works better. But the average person should probably look at their data at the absolute minimum of every other year. Simply start at the beginning of the list and follow these steps as needed to reestablish order in your data. This will also help you spot any issues that may be developing in an external drive.

All of this can help you bring some structure to your data, and give your hard drives a break.

Avoid Hard Drive Failure With Solid Drive Management Find more on: Hard Drive Recovery Associates

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Two More Ways To Extend Your Hard Drive’s Life

Keeping a hard drive for a good long time isn’t really that difficult. You’ll of course want to check out part 1 of this article, located here, and also take advantage of those hard disk tips.

So, for tip #1, you’ll always want to Ensure that you effectively manage the space on your hard drive.

Delete any files that you no longer require and ensure that the primary hard disk drive of your computer only contains the data that you especially need (and should probably be backing up). You are not required to store everything in the same location; instead, you can keep some files on external drives or on sites that offer cloud storage.

Modern operating systems like Windows and iOS have built-in tools to defragment your hard drive. When large files are cut up into multiple smaller files, this process is called fragmentation (leaving files fragmented). These smaller pieces are not always stored on the same physical segment, or even the same physical disk within the hard drive enclosure. Sometimes they are stored on a different disk entirely. Because of this, load times can be prolonged as the hard disk works harder to seek out and rebuild files.

However, it is important to note that you should only defragment your drive if it is absolutely necessary to do so; therefore, make regular use of the tool that comes standard with your operating system to perform scans on the drive and check for fragmented files.

Tip number 2 is a simple one: when it comes to data storage, you should always remember the 3-2-1 Rule.

This means that you need three copies of your data, each of which must be stored on a different medium, and at least one of those copies must be kept in a location that is not your primary workplace or home.

If you follow this one easy rule, you can keep your data safe. In the event that one of your hard drives fails, you have at least two other copies of the data backed up elsewhere. You’ll also want to schedule this process, of course, perhaps by using Google Calendar. If you work with your files a lot, make sure your minimum backup period is once per week. Heck, if you’re doing critical stuff like video, photos or writing, consider twice a week as a good backup interval.

As data recovery services specialists, we have a great deal of knowledge and expertise in this field. We have assisted hundreds of customers, and as a result, we are aware that faulty hard drives, mistakes, or damage are not the most common causes of data loss.

The single most common reason for loss of data is the failure to create a backup copy of important files and data.

How to Extend the Working Life of your Hard Drive: Summary

As we’ve seen, the lifespan of a hard drive is determined by a number of different factors. The good news, however, is that these factors aren’t nearly as difficult to manage as you might think. Age and general wear and tear are factors that you have little control over, but everything else is entirely within your sphere of influence. You might be able to extend the life of your hard drive by an order of magnitude or more simply by making a few straightforward adjustments to the way you store information.

The blog article Two More Ways To Extend Your Hard Drive’s Life is courtesy of HDRA

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The Top 3 Ways To Extend The Life Of A Hard Drive

Have you ever pondered the question of how you could extend the life of your computer system’s hard drive? The idea that the hard drive in your computer will continue to function for as long as the computer itself is not an uncommon thought, but is indeed a fantasy. Depending on how they are used and how their files are managed, mechanical hard disk drives (or HDDs) typically have a lifespan of between three and five years on average. On the other hand, you have the ability to significantly lengthen the lifespan of your HDD by paying careful attention to how you use it and how you handle it. So the question is, what causes hard drive failure?

The lifespan of mechanical hard disk drives is determined by a number of factors, the most important of which are the workload, the conditions of the surrounding environment, and the upkeep of the hardware. The following is our top 3 ways that can help you increase the lifespan of your mechanical hard disk drive and steer clear of typical errors.

There is no such thing as a completely fault-proof hard disk; however, there are a number of things that can be done to extend the life of your hard disk drive. This post will provide you with a number of helpful hints that can assist you in safeguarding your data and extending the lifespan of your hard disk.

Hard drives are mechanical devices, which means that they contain moving parts on the inside. Even with careful use, they are susceptible to wear and tear because they have moving parts, just like any other device with moving parts. Here are three ways to keep those drives rockin’!

1. Hard drives should be handled with extreme caution at all times

Hard drives are extremely sensitive to sudden jolts and can be easily damaged as a result. Dropping them can mean brutal data destruction, and it is in your best interest to keep them from being moved around an excessive amount. Keep them on a clean, level surface where they won’t be disturbed by vibrations and where the temperature won’t be allowed to fluctuate. Even though they are built to withstand the damaging effects of dirt and water, you shouldn’t store hard drives in places where there is a lot of moisture in the air or where there is a chance that they will get wet.

The majority of hard drives installed in desktop computers are not moved around very frequently. However, some older laptops may be equipped with a mechanical drive. Because laptops and portable hard drives are moved around more frequently, you should exercise additional caution when transporting them. Remember that the mobility factor is great when you need it, but can be a curse if you drop your computer.

If you must carry a laptop or portable external hard drive, you should always use a padded bag, case, or container that is specifically designed for carrying such items. Check that the device can be contained within its carrier without causing too much wiggle room so that it doesn’t get damaged while being transported.

2. Keep your hard drives in a clean and safe working environment.

It should come as no surprise that hard drives can become unstable when they are located in any proximity to water, dampness, or humidity. Additionally, they don’t like to function well when the temperature around them is too warm. The majority of components in a computer, including hard drives, can have the ability to produce an excessive amount of heat.

On the other hand, the longevity of your hard drive can be significantly increased by your active efforts to maintain a cool operating temperature within your computer. You can prevent your hard drive from running too warm by taking the following precautions:

• When the hard drive is not being used, make sure that it is turned off.
• In general, work to improve the airflow in and around your computer.
• Reduce the temperature of the room that your hard drive is stored in to bring the ambient temperature down.
• You should routinely remove any dust that has accumulated on the enclosure of your hard drive, but you should never open it up to clean the inside!

3. You should only ever purchase high-quality hard drives.

The quality of a hard drive is the single most important factor in determining how long it will remain operational. Drives that are less expensive tend to fail more frequently than those that are more expensive because they are constructed to lower standards and because they are frequently made from inferior materials. When testing the durability of their products, hard drive manufacturers frequently employ methods that are not standardized. As a consequence of this, a one terabyte (TB) drive manufactured by one company might be rated for a certain number of hours before it fails, whereas a one TB drive manufactured by another company might last significantly longer than that. If you want to know how long a specific hard drive will last, the only way to do so is to look at the warranty and return policies offered by the manufacturer.

You can also read various reviews of hard drives. When doing so, be sure to read reviews written by both regular customers and technology writers, as the latter are more likely to investigate the complexities of the hardware in greater detail. This provides you with a useful glimpse into the overall quality of the hard drive that you are planning to purchase.

If you need help with a failed hard drive, please contact us for a free hard drive recovery evaluation!

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Is A Clean Room Really Necessary For Data Recovery Services?

What exactly is meant by the term “data recovery clean room”? Wouldn’t it make sense for the whole operation to be tidy? Are there other computer oriented businesses that operate “dirty rooms”? Why doesn’t every data recovery company that caters to small businesses have a clean room?

To begin, a clean room is an even more sterile environment than an ultra-clean, routinely sanitized room. It is a room that has been designed, ventilated, and monitored in such a way that there are as few airborne particles (dust, microorganisms, and other imperceptible bits) in the room as possible. These types of rooms are frequently found in the scientific and technological sectors of the economy, specifically in the context of producing or working with sensitive materials, so as to ensure that a risk-free environment is maintained. Clean rooms are often classified and operated to standards using the acronym “ISO,” which stands for the International Organization for Standardization. These standards are set by a non-governmental organization and dictate the maximum number of particles of a certain size that are permitted inside a clean room. No need to get into the math of the particle standards here, suffice to say that these rooms require large investments to maintain their rating.

The Origin Of Clean Rooms

Clean rooms were initially developed by Willis Whitfield in the 1960s with the purpose of assisting in the production of integrated circuits in a manner that was more efficient and posed a lower risk of causing harm to sensitive materials through the introduction of contaminants. Naturally, such an effective way to manage airborne contaminants wasn’t going to be solely usable by chip manufacturers, and soon, when hard drives became a thing, access to a cleanroom became essential for data recovery. In order to effectively recover lost data, it often is necessary to disassemble electronic components such as hard disk drives, solid state drives, RAID and NAS systems, and any other electronic components that are susceptible to being negatively affected by dust or other airborne particles. This offers the kind of safety and peace of mind that is really unmatched in the data recovery service industry.

The vast majority of data recovery companies, particularly those providers that seem to have a “location in every city”, do not have clean rooms located on-site because they prefer to outsource their data recovery projects to other facilities and take a “commission” instead of performing their own work. The process of recovering the data is slowed down as a result, and the pricing tends to be higher, as the “provider” is actually just a profit-taking middleman. In the vast majority of instances with data recovery shops, the individual who is in charge of diagnosing the problem is not the same person who actually does the work on the defective hard drive. At Hard Drive Recovery Associates, our priority is to efficiently retrieve your important data and provide it back to you as soon as we can afterward. The process of recovering data from a damaged hard drive that has been shipped from one location to another can take an additional three to five days at the very minimum, at least in our experience.

Hard Drive Recovery Associates has one of the only onsite ISO 5, Class 100 Cleanrooms available at a data recovery company on the West Coast that is independently owned and operated. In addition, we are the only non-chain business in Irvine, California to have achieved this particular distinction. Our customers work closely with our data recovery specialists, who diagnose each data recovery project and discuss it with the customers. Our on-site ISO 5 and Class 100 Cleanrooms are utilized for the recovery of all projects. The data of our customers are protected by this procedure, and the process of recovering lost data is not only far less expensive; it is also sped up as a result.

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Preventing Hard Disk Failure

There are quite a few things you can do to extend the life of your hard drive and prevent hard disk failure. This article will talk about five seriously important ones.

Have you ever pondered the question of how you could extend the life of your hard drive? The idea that the hard drive in your computer will continue to function for as long as the computer itself is something that data recovery customers discover is quite false. This is almost correct for solid-state drives (although they as well have failure points), but it is not accurate for mechanical hard disk drives (HDDs). Depending on how they are used and managed, these typically have a lifespan of between three and five years on average. On the other hand, you have the ability to significantly lengthen the lifespan of your HDD by paying careful attention to how you use it and how you handle it. Preventing hard disk failure is in fact possible.

The lifespan of mechanical hard disk drives is determined by a number of factors, the most important of which are the workload, the conditions of the surrounding environment, and the upkeep of the hardware. The following is a list of suggestions that can help you increase the lifespan of your mechanical hard disk drive and steer clear of typical errors.

Hard drives are mechanical devices, which means that they contain moving parts on the inside. Even with careful use, they are susceptible to wear and tear because they have moving parts, just like any other device with moving parts, like your car, power tools, appliances, etc.

Here are five ways that you can extend the life of your hard drive and prevent hard disk failure.

1. Maintain your hard drives in a clean and safe working environment.

It should come as no surprise that hard drives are really not built for being in any proximity to water, dampness, or humidity. Heat can also be a serious killer. The majority of components in a computer, including hard drives, can produce an excessive amount of heat, so you’ll want to watch for that.

On the other hand, the longevity of your hard drive can be significantly increased by your active efforts to maintain a cool operating temperature within your computer case. You can prevent your hard drive from running too warm by taking the following precautions, among others:

• Work to ensure the air flow in your computer is strong
• Reduce the temperature of the room that your hard drive is stored in to bring the ambient temperature down.
• When the hard drive is not being used, make sure that it is turned off (this works for your computer as well)
• You should routinely remove any dust that has accumulated on the enclosure of your hard drive, but you should never open it up to clean the inside!

2. You should only ever purchase high-quality hard drives.

The quality of a hard drive is the single most important factor in determining how long it will continue to do what you expect it to. Drives that are less expensive tend to fail more frequently than those that are more expensive because they are constructed to lower standards and because they are frequently made from inferior materials.

When testing the durability of their products, lower end hard drive manufacturers frequently employ methods that are not standardized. As a consequence of this, a one terabyte (TB) drive manufactured by one company might be rated for a certain number of hours before it fails, whereas a one TB drive manufactured by another company might last significantly longer than that. If you want to know how long a specific hard drive will last, the only way to do so is to look at the warranty and return policies offered by the manufacturer. Also try to avoid refurbished drives, which can often be dead on arrival, or poorly repaired.

You can also read various reviews of hard drives. When doing so, be sure to read reviews written by both regular customers and technology writers, as the latter are more likely to investigate the complexities of the hardware in greater detail. This provides you with a useful glimpse into the overall quality of the hard drive that you are planning to purchase.

3. When it comes to data storage, you should always remember the 3-2-1 Rule.

This means that you need three copies of your data, each of which must be stored on a different medium, and at least one of those copies must be kept in a location that is not your primary workplace. If you follow this one easy rule, you can keep your data safe. In the event that one of your hard drives fails, you have at least two other copies of the data backed up elsewhere.

Because HDRA is a data recovery specialist, we have a great deal of knowledge and expertise in this field. We have assisted hundreds of customers, and as a result, we are aware that faulty hard drives, mistakes, or damage are not the most common causes of data loss.

Instead, the single most common reason for loss of data is the failure to create a backup copy of important files and data.

4. Hard drives should be handled with extreme caution.

Hard drives are extremely sensitive to sudden jolts or movements. You must never let go of them, and it is in your best interest to keep them from being moved around an excessive amount. A happy hard drive is a stationary hard drive. Place them on a level, clean surface where they won’t be disturbed by vibrations and where the temperature won’t be allowed to fluctuate.

The majority of hard drives installed in desktop computers are not moved around very frequently, which helps to keep them operating. However, some older laptops may be equipped with mechanical hard drives. Because laptops and portable hard drives are moved around more frequently, you should exercise additional caution when carrying them.

If you must carry a laptop or portable hard drive when it is not in use, you should always use a padded bag, case, or container that is specifically designed for carrying such items. Check that the device can be contained within its carrier without causing too much wiggle room so that it doesn’t get damaged while being moved around.

5. Ensure that you effectively manage the space on your hard drive.

Delete any files that you no longer require and ensure that the primary hard disk drive of your computer only contains the data that you require. You are not required to store everything in the same location; instead, you can keep some files on external drives or in the cloud.

Modern operating systems have built-in tools that can defragment your hard drive. When large files are cut up into multiple smaller files, this process is called fragmentation (fragmented). These smaller pieces are not always stored on the same physical segment. Because of this, load times are prolonged.

You should only defragment your drive if it is absolutely necessary to do so; therefore, make regular use of the tool that comes standard with your operating system to perform scans on the drive and check for fragmented files.

How to Extend the Working Life of your Hard Drive To Avoid Hard Disk Failure

As we’ve seen, the lifespan of a hard drive is determined by a number of different factors. The good news, however, is that these factors aren’t nearly as difficult to manage as you might think. Age and general wear and tear are things that you have little control over, but everything else is entirely within your sphere of influence. You might be able to extend the life of your hard drive by an order of magnitude or more simply by making a few straightforward adjustments to the way you store information.

Preventing Hard Disk Failure is republished from Hard Drive Recovery Associates

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Using Recovery Mode With Your iPhone

When activated, the Recovery Mode on an iPhone from Apple will delete all content from the device, and is certainly not a great thing to do without absolute certainty. In most cases, data that has been deleted is completely irretrievable and cannot be recovered, even by a data recovery company.

There are several reasons why deleted files on an iPhone cannot be recovered through normal means:

Flash Media Design: iOS devices use NAND flash, a type of non-volatile memory consisting of transistors arranged into a grid. This technology was developed by Flash Media Engineering. In order to store data, transistors are used to hold electrical charges. When data is deleted from flash drives, it is typically removed from the device permanently. A garbage collection process is utilized by NAND flash media in order to improve efficiency and maximize storage space. The data is rendered permanently unrecoverable as a result of this process, which involves clearing the charges from the transistors. When the charge isn’t there anymore, neither is the data.

File Based Encryption: The iPhone encrypts the majority of the user’s files using encryption that is based on the individual file. This means that each file has its own special encryption key. When data is deleted from an iOS device, the encryption key is also removed. This renders the data unusable. There are, however, a few notable exceptions: After an ordinary delete command has been executed on a device running iOS 12 or an earlier version, the user’s photos, videos, internet browsing history, and text messages may still be retrievable. Nevertheless, the Recovery Mode delete command is not like other delete commands; rather, it performs a format operation on the device, bringing it back to its original settings. Calling it a Format would frankly make much more sense, but sadly it is what it is.

Data recovery engineers from Hard Drive Recovery Associates may be able to retrieve metadata from iPhones and other iOS devices after performing a complete reset to the factory settings. For the most part, metadata is utilized in computer forensics investigations to provide a record of phone usage – for most folks this data is going to be useless.

In a nutshell, you shouldn’t use iOS Recovery Mode unless you first created a complete backup of your device before doing so. Before beginning the process, which cannot be undone once it has started, we strongly advise looking over your backup, even breaking it down to file types so that you know exactly what you have.

Before entering Recovery Mode, is it possible to retrieve data from an iPhone?

If your iPhone has stopped responding or if you are unable to get it to boot further than the iOS logo, it still may be possible that you can recover your data. If your computer is able to recognize the device, this step will be much simpler: Apple provides a step-by-step guide for transferring photos and videos captured on iOS devices to a computer running Mac OS X or Microsoft Windows.

If, on the other hand, your iPhone is completely unresponsive, your options will be severely restricted. The recovery of the files requires low-level access to the device’s data storage, which isn’t feasible outside of a professional data recovery laboratory like the one HDRA uses. And don’t bother with data recovery software – it almost never works in this case, and can actually make your data loss permanent.

In most cases, iPhone data recovery tools do not actually access the storage on the iPhone itself. Instead, the software recovers files by pulling them directly from the user’s iCloud Drive. You’ll probably want to save some cash and just download your own files from iCloud.

Unfortunately, I do not have a backup of my iPhone because it is broken. What should I do?

If you are not completely certain that you have a backup of your iPhone, do not put the iPhone into Recovery Mode. If you want to increase your chances of making a full recovery, instead take the following steps:

Collect information regarding the unsuccessful attempt. Is the iPhone able to start up? Is there a response time on the touchscreen? What exactly takes place when you connect it to your computer?

Make sure the device is turned off at all times. Do not spend money on data recovery software if your mobile device runs iOS 13 or a later version; this software will not fix the issue.

Make an effort to compile a list of the most vital file types and types of files. For instance, if all you require is access to your photos and videos, the information you provide to a data recovery engineer could prove to be extremely helpful.

Collaborate with a data recovery company that has prior experience. Because gaining access to the data will require sophisticated logical strategies and specialized hardware, you will need to locate a provider who has a solid track record.

Hard Drive Recovery Associates is the industry standard when it comes to iPhone data recovery, and our “no data, no charge” guarantee provides you with the peace of mind you need as your case moves forward.

The following article Using Recovery Mode With Your iPhone was initially seen on http://www.harddrivefailurerecovery.net

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Take Care To Avoid Hard Disk Failure

Hard drives and solid state drives remain at the core of most computers, really, making them virtually indispensable when it comes to operating almost any system. In spite of the fact that faster processors, retina displays, portability, and battery life have all become the poster features for what’s new in computers, nothing matters unless you have the ability to store and retrieve information.

When a hard drive fails, it’s an experience you rarely forget – but it’s one that needn’t be so stressful, especially considering the sheer amount of backup technologies available today. Back in the 1990s, there were very few avenues for consistent backups, so most folks just rolled the dice.

Since then, hard drives have come a long way in terms of performance. However, if they are not given proper care and maintenance, they will continue to crash, causing both newcomers and seasoned veterans to scream in horror when they realize they have lost access to their critical data. In an effort to permanently avoid the concept of a failed hard drive, here are some suggestions for maintaining the health of your hard drive and data.

Complacency Kills With Data

When it comes to hard drives, complacency or a false sense of security is usually the most formidable adversary. Saving yourself from a dangerous data situation in the future can’t be done by sitting around. If you are serious about protecting your data, you must take good care of your hard drive. If your data isn’t that important to you, the fact that your hard drive crashes won’t make much of a difference. You will have to spend a hundred dollars to replace the drive, but after that you will be back in business. However, if you are like the majority of people, you understand that your hard drive contains a lot more important data than you might think. Losing your data SHOULD be unacceptable.

Follow Hard Drive Rules And Avoid Crashes

The first step in taking good care of your hard drive is to become familiar with the rules. Here are some critical things to remember about hard drives:

Stability Helps: Moving, bumping, or dropping a hard drive is not a good thing for the drive, especially while the drive is working (which is almost always, as hard drives spin continually when turned on). Solid-state drives don’t have the same concerns, as they lack moving parts. However, a general rule of thumb is to keep all hard drives on a level surface and to treat them as if they were fragile at all times. It’s a good way to be if you want to keep your drives.

Keep It Clean: Dust and dirt can actually damage your hard drive and, in fact, your entire computer. It can wreak havoc on your hard drive and cause a buildup of static electricity, which can cause components to short and break. Additionally, you’ll want to keep your hard drive and computer free of any magnetic contamination, while we’re on the subject of electrical safety.

Run From Heat: Heat can kill your electronics, including your computer. Ensure that your computer is kept in a well-ventilated area; don’t try to squeeze it into a small slot in your rolltop desk or hide your tower somewhere beneath your desk. Although this is less of an issue for newer systems, it is important to remember that your computer requires fresh, cool air to function properly.

Disk Checking Should Be Part Of System Maintenance: Disk utility and virus protection software are critical to the long-term health of your data and hard drives. If you can do a virus check and a disk check weekly and a disk defragment monthly, you’re better protected than 80% of folks out there. If you’re a real stickler, you might consider a computer monitoring program that will keep track of the temperature of your computer as well as the overall health of your hard drive, among other things. But, with systems nowadays, this isn’t as critical.

What Causes Hard Drive Failure? Inevitability!

Whatever operating system you are using, hard drives are mechanical, like any machine, and much like most machines, they can wear out and crash over time. Data backup won’t be so painful once you accept this critical fact. Bonus here is that today’s backup software can be programmed to automatically backup data to an external hard drive or to the cloud even without your intervention. And yet, even with these precautions, a hard drive failure at an inconvenient time can result in the loss of some of your most important data. You can always call Hard Drive Recovery Associates if you’re asking “why did my hard drive stop working”, but believe us, you’d probably rather not!

Take Care To Avoid Hard Disk Failure is courtesy of HDRA

from Hard Drive Recovery Associates – Feed at https://www.harddrivefailurerecovery.net/avoid-hard-disk-failure/

Mac Data Recovery: A Specialized Sector Of Hard Drive Recovery

As a result of the unmatched intuitiveness and ease-of-use that the Mac OS operating system provides, Apple computers are extremely popular with both personal and business users around the world. Fortunately, Apple has introduced several features that make data backup and storage on Mac computers simple, but even with these features, many users lose critical data each year as a result of hardware failures, accidental file deletions, and other threats, including viruses and malware. It happens a lot more than you would think.

When dealing with hard drives, flash drives, servers, and other devices that run Mac operating systems, data recovery companies like Hard Drive Recovery Associates face a number of difficulties. The following are some of the considerations that we must take into account in order to provide reliable data recovery on Mac systems.

Physical Drive Issues May Be Difficult To Sense

Many of the Mac computer cases that we receive have hard drives that have been physically damaged. Apple users, on the other hand, are not always aware of the signs of a physical hard drive failure, which can make recovery more difficult. Many Mac computers, for example, are designed to minimize noise, so users may not be aware of clicking or whirring sounds, which are among the most common signs of hard drive failure.

With that said, Mac hard drives are no different in terms of physical construction from any other type of hard drive. Most hard drives will work with either Mac or Windows configurations. Often, it is necessary for data recovery companies to use certified clean rooms in order to safely repair a damaged hard disk drive because contaminants that could otherwise get between the read/write heads and the platters that store your data cannot be removed. This is the same no matter the operating system.

If you have reason to believe that your Mac hard drive is experiencing a physical problem, turn it off immediately. It is not recommended to attempt to copy your data to another drive or media format unless you already have a backup. Look for a qualified data recovery company that has a Class 100 clean room and get in touch with them as soon as possible to set up an appointment to discuss your situation.

Accidental File Deletion

A common misconception among Mac users is that deleting a file from the trash can completely removes it from the hard drive. While data recovery engineers may have to employ different techniques on Mac systems than they would on Windows or Linux systems, deleted or trashed files are almost always recoverable in the vast majority of instances. The basic fact is that the file is still there until the space on the hard drive it occupies is overwritten.

Which brings up a critical point: computer users, must be careful not to accidentally overwrite their files. If you accidentally delete something on your Mac and then realize that you made a mistake, immediately turn off your computer and contact a professional data recovery company for assistance. It is not recommended that you attempt to run data recovery software because this can often make the situation worse by overwriting your deleted information. Our engineers can frequently recover overwritten files, but this is a much more difficult process than simply recovering data from a deleted Mac hard drive.

Despite the fact that the Hierarchical File System (HFS) used by Mac OS computers has both advantages and disadvantages from an operating system standpoint, it has significant differences from other file systems that necessitate the use of specialized tools for Mac data recovery engineers.

In part due to the popularity of Mac systems, a number of third-party utilities are available for recovering damaged or deleted data from HFS variants such as HFS+ and HFSX. At Hard Drive Recovery Associates, we employ proprietary software tools that have been developed in-house and that allow us to recover data without the risk of causing file damage.

Hardware Architecture of Apple Computers

Unfortunately, some data recovery companies do not understand the hardware architecture of Apple computers and as a result, they cause damage to Mac systems during the initial stages of the recovery process.

The following blog article Mac Data Recovery: A Specialized Sector Of Hard Drive Recovery was originally seen on http://www.harddrivefailurerecovery.net

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Hard Drive Failure: How Prepared Are You For it?

Let’s talk about hard drive failure. It’s a topic we all want to avoid, right? Well, who really wants to talk about hard drive failure?

We all want to avoid the topic but when it happens to us, we think the world is going to end. Okay, that obviously is an exaggeration but you know what I mean. As much as no one wants to talk about a hard drive failure, no one want to deal with it as well.

The reality is that we all have to talk about it so that we can deal with it when it happens. So, let’s talk about it and see what computer experts, like Bob Levitus, have to say about it as well.

According to him;

You are going to lose everything on your Mac hard (or solid state) drive if you don’t back up your files.

Now that World Backup Day (March 31) has come and gone, I feel it is prudent to reiterate the bad things that will happen to your precious data—your photos, videos, essays, proposals, emails, messages, and everything else—if you don’t backup.

(Via: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/Your-hard-drive-will-fail-be-prepared-13732648.php)

We might not want to admit but Bob is right. We can all lose everything on our hard drive if it fails. Bob states the simple reason why that day is bound to come.

Your hard or solid-state drive will absolutely and positively fail someday. It probably won’t be today, but the day will definitely come because all disks fail eventually.

(Via: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/Your-hard-drive-will-fail-be-prepared-13732648.php)

While it’s hard to tell when that day will come, it will definitely come.

It’s rare that a hard or solid-state drive fails in its first year or two of service (though that’s not unheard of). It’s also rare that something (anything) you do to or install upon your Mac will render its disks unusable. But, while those things are rare, too, they can happen.

(Via: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/Your-hard-drive-will-fail-be-prepared-13732648.php)

There’s really no denying that hard drives fail. With computer experts like Bob, weighing in on it, there’s just no way we should ever avoid the topic. If we do, we’re never going to be fully prepared to deal with it.

Probably the reason why most folks don’t like to talk about hard drive failures is because of its association with data loss. When hard drive failures happen, data is endangered. Chances are, they can’t be accessed.

That’s why Bob has some great tips for us in case our hard drive fails.

https://t.co/2YQPKAOhWC

— Hard Drive Recovery Associates (@HDriveRecovery) March 8, 2022

The only way to avoid the pain of losing your treasured data is to back up your disk (or disks). Here are my top two tips for doing it right:

1. One backup is never enough. You want at least two full backups, with one stored in an offsite location.

2. Test your backups regularly to ensure that you can restore files. If you can’t, the backup is worthless.

(Via: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/Your-hard-drive-will-fail-be-prepared-13732648.php)

Bob is right. One backup is never enough. We can back up to the cloud or to another external hard drive. Sure, we can do both. However, backing up to another external hard drive means that we are, again, faced with the possibility of failure in the future.

As long as we use external hard drives to back up, we will always be facing the possibility of losing our files in the future. Hard drive failure will happen.

This is not to say that we shouldn’t use hard drives to back up our files. Hard drives are, no doubt, the best data storage. However, we should always consider the fact that they will fail us.

Once we realize the reality of a hard drive failure, we can resort to using a reliable service that can help us deal with it. The point is, we should all be open to the fact that our hard drive can fail us. So that when it finally happens, we’re all be prepared for it.

Take the first step to prepare for a hard drive failure. Learn more about it here on https://www.harddrivefailurerecovery.net/hard-drive-failure/. Remember, you’ll never know when it’s going to happen. So, be prepared.

The following blog article Hard Drive Failure: How Prepared Are You For it? was initially published to The Hard Drive Recovery Associates Blog

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