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Data safety tips

There are simple preventive measures you can take in order to keep you data safe.

1. Always back-up! Don't overlook your duty to backup critical data when you are working on a big project or a tight deadline.

2. Keep current copies of very important data offsite. What if your computer equipment is damaged or stolen? You might have insurance, however it is unlikely to cover your data loss expenses.

3. If you must disconnect USB or FireWire peripheral devices while the computer is on, use extreme care. Be sure external drives have stopped spinning before picking up or moving them. (this is especially important for USB and fire Wire devices you use for backups)

4. Never reformat a hard drive without checking your backup. If you use tapes, be sure you are familiar with the backup software before archiving important data. Also check that those tapes are not too old. As it is very possible that you'll find that some tape is not readable any more, when you try to recover your data.

5. Never move or jar a drive or computer while it is operating. Doing so could cause media damage.

6. Allow adequate space around external drives' cooling vents; remove books, papers, etc., which might block airflow. Do not put the drive on carpeting. (to be honest, any IT equipment does not like carpets. The main reasons are: dust, static electricity)

7. Avoid rapid temperature changes. If the drive was previously in a cold environment, allow your drive to warm-up to room temperature before operating. Generally, if you are comfortable, the climate is appropriate for the drive.

8. All computer equipment should be protected with high-quality surge protectors, line conditioners or uninterruptible power supply (UPS).