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A good Disaster Plan includes preparation
for securing your data before a debilitating virus attack, and recovering as
much as possible of what data might still be left in your computer hard drive after restoring
operation of your system.
Large business enterprises assign major resources to
secure data storage, recovery, and protection of their
vital files and systems.
Those of us who use our computers for more personal activities or small
businesses, can best provide for our security and data recovery with more simple
tools, a good plan, and a
basic understanding of our computers and
storage devices (which you can brush up on at sites like "Learn
How To Use Your Computer").
Keeping your browser up to date is of vital importance. Since none are immune to
attack, and this is true if you use MS Internet Explorer, Opera, Firefox,
Netscape, etc, every announced update should be implemented immediately.
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Major improvements are underway by the browser
software suppliers. The
Windows
Vista version of Microsoft Windows, the
proprietary operating system
developed by Microsoft, is currently available as an upgrade and is what you'll
find on new PCs. You can
follow the progress of these updates at
Windows-Vista-Update.com
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The 'BEFORE' Strategy -
1. Make sure your
firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware programs are installed and running.
2.
Get the latest virus DAT or
Signature files from the maker of your anti-virus software. (If the program
you are using doesn't do this automatically while you are online, schedule
your computer to automatically obtain Live Updates while you are sleeping,
or schedule yourself to download them regularly.)
3. Do it every few days!
During periods of high virus activity with newer variations of viruses appearing
nearly every day, the safest thing you can do is to maintain current updates
which are usually very easy downloads. |
"AFTER" a
Virus has
been Removed
1. Make sure you also scan the backup floppies, Zip Disks, etc, before you reload your data
files.
2. Immediately after reloading the Operating
System, reinstall up-to-date firewall and virus protection
and anti-spyware
software,
and scan your whole system to determine if any traces of the viruses and
worms remain.
3. When you feel confident that all traces of viruses
and spyware have been removed
from your computer, renew you backup data.
4.
Evaluate your Backup Tools
● What tools do you have?
● Are they capable of storing
your data now and in the future?
See free
Hard Drive Guide |
There are some fairly easy tools to use for file backup and data recovery.
Essentially, there are two ways that this can be approached-
(1), as client side (your
computer) and
(2), server side (online service) solutions.
Read Article
"Backing up your Data files the easy way" |
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Removing a Virus from your computer
before data restoration
So many internet users have
Microsoft Office and Browser software, that it just
makes good sense to check their advice before renewing your backed up data. The
MyDoom type pests leave a back door open to hackers and have flooded the
internet with many variations.
Removal help is here. CLICK
Windows Live for Current
Threat updates. |
Probably the most upsetting situation is when your anti-virus software cannot
quarantine, disinfect or remove a virus or worm from your computer.
In a worst case situation, this results in the necessity of completely 'wiping'
your hard drive to remove all traces, and then reinstalling your
operating system and program files.
Most program files can be reinstalled using the original CD's, etc. Software
programs that you downloaded to your 'C' drive will probably be lost
unless you made backup copies of them after downloading.
The same could hold true for all of your Data files. Wave goodbye to them, too,
unless you have them saved on some external backup device or medium like
floppies, CD's, ZIP Disks, tapes or external hard drives. See the sidebar for
links to Iomega's dozens and dozens of large capacity external data
storage hard drives(*), Zip disks(**), mini-drives and USB memory sticks.
(*) It's possible to save a complete image of your hard drive to an
external unit. Remove the drive unit from its case after saving an
image
of your main hard drive. Put it back when you make an update.
(**)It's good practice to remove the ZIP disk with your
backup files
when you complete a data save.
CAUTION! Be sure you save program Serial Numbers
and Passwords in a safe notebook or journal. NOT JUST IN YOUR COMPUTER HARD DRIVE. |
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There's the possibility that you need only Wipe your 'C' drive, leaving other
partitions intact (such as a 'D' partition or drive). Data on 'D' could still be
uncompromised and not infected.
You will normally need the 'C' drive to reload your Windows 95 or 98 operating system (OS).
You CAN reload your OS directly from the Emergency Start up disk or OS Program
installation disk for Windows ME, NET, 2000 and XP.
Remote Server side Data Storage can be a great Data Recovery lifesaver, especially since these
services have the ability to store extremely large data files.
Iomega offers large capacity, economical server side storage at
Iomega iStorage online.
With online data storage
and an Internet connection, you can access your critical data from anywhere.
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A Virus caused system shutdown isn't the only way you can lose your
important files |
Do you Backup your files as you are working on
a letter, report, graphic design, etc?
Has your computer ever 'Hung Up' in the
middle of a project after you've spent a lot of brainpower on your
creation?
Of course, you've heard it time and time again -"Backup, Backup and
Backup every 5, 10, 15 minutes or so while you are creating"
But what if you are so deeply into what you're doing that you forget?
There is an easy way to avoid this dilemma -
Take a look now at this easy to use, lifesaving automatic backup
application. Just Click on
"AUTOBACKUP" for the details.
 Stumble It!
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| Your Disaster planning should start with the safest tools available |
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BE DILIGENT!
THINK "COMPUTER SAFETY" |
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If you use the internet at all, ALWAYS BE AWARE of the damage that can be
done due to one little lapse of your memory.
Backup your personal files, those that you save to your "Documents'
folder, financial records, etc.
Save these Backup copies somewhere other than to your computer hard drive.
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MAKE SURE your system has no viruses before you start your backup
copying.
 
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Today's Iomega Special
Iomega® Mini and Micro Mini® USB 2.0 drives makes transporting and sharing data easier than ever. Starting at $49.95 Plus Free Shipping. Buy Now! CLICK HERE
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Security
Alerts
News Reporter
for periodic updates on
the latest events and
issues affecting your
personal security
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Get the latest News
Take a look at our Security Alert Blog
HERE.
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A Blog
(web log) is a quick and easy way to share timely information
(updated news, trends, developments), answer questions about
computer security, express
opinions, and exchange views. |
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