Data Recovery

[Optimistic Paranoid]

So I just needed to order another USB memory drive from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0... drive&qid=1445262219&ref_=sr_1_8&s=pc&sr=1-8

I just noticed in the one corner that there are boxes to check for 1 and 2 year data recovery plans for only $1.99 and $2.99.  I wonder how well those work, when you need it?  Anyone here ever halved to use one of these?

Regards
John

 

[LeeRevell]

"Online backup" = someone else holds your data.......
No thanks.  Violates my concept of person data security.

 

[MikeRuth]

Drive savers is a world leader in data recovery and hold certifications in data security that to my knowledge no other company does.
If you should find your self in need of data recovery and it's not cheap these are your go to people.
I have used them in conjunction with some of my clients. Everything is stated up front and very clear and concise. If it can be recovered they can do it.

www.drivesavers.com

 

[B and C]

For the price of the USB drive, I would just buy a second and save to both drives.  You could leave them both plugged in if you have an available second USB port.  Always have a backup handy that way.  You will also control your data.  I hope to never have to save anything to the "cloud".  I do not want my personal info out there so someone can assume my identity.

 

[SoulRaven]

There is free software available to recover deleted files. I like "Recuva".

 

[LeeRevell]

I used to make my backups via CD, but they got to be too many.  Too many failed disks too.  Went to DVDs, still got many failed disks, and it still took five or six of them.  Took awhile to copy too, and could only copy small chunks at a time.
Went to thumb drives - much better, but easy to lose or misplace, and must be ID'd or marked somehow so I know what is on each.
Now, I recently discovered the external USB hard drive - much mo' better, and I do the happy dance.  Fairly quick to copy, can do large groups of files, and easy to access.  Can be carried in a pocket, or stashed away safely.
Having worked in the military on crypto gear, and security in civilian life, as well as handling critical sensitive data during my IT career - I simply cannot and will not trust The Cloud.  As far as I know, it resides at Langley, and is directly available to the NoSuchAgency intel squirrels........    or worse.  My data, such as it is (nothing illegal or even of interest to others) is MY data.  I will keep it handy to ME.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

For the price of the USB drive, I would just buy a second and save to both drives.  You could leave them both plugged in if you have an available second USB port.  Always have a backup handy that way.  You will also control your data.  I hope to never have to save anything to the "cloud".  I do not want my personal info out there so someone can assume my identity.

One can now get USB drives for ~50¢/GB.  No reason not to have a bunch.  I have three 32G drives flash drives that I use for system backup (numbered 1,2,3; I know, clever   ).  One is stored at my sisters and swapped out about every 3 months.  The other two are alternated.  I usually back up my data and photos once a week.  MacBook and iPhone are sync'd every day by wire (don't trust the cloud).  Even if I loose everything to a disaster, I can still recover important stuff from my sisters copy.

Most people don't realize that pictures are some of your more important possessions.  Your son will never again have a 3rd birthday party, your daughter will never again have her first dance recital.  Some of those pictures will never be recoverable unless effort is made to protect them.

-- Spiff

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

a relative had a grandfathered in sprint phone and plan. They told him he could keep his phone of course. Every week at random it would clear his contacts and data, and disabled a lot of features :/ i never trust phones.

i try to back up on thumbs, but lose em. i succumbed to the cloud, and use google drive. mostly graphics files tho.

 

[rvpopeye]

I go with multiple backups.
Zero Clouds on my horizon , reasons already mentioned.

I have several flash drives 1GB-16GB
Photos , software , important files ,

About a dozen SD cards from my camera with photos, 2GB-16GB.
I back these up to flash drives as they fill up.

3 portable HDDs 500GB-1TB and am looking for a good sale on a 2TB between now and black friday.
1 has monthly images of both my laptops. on the 1TB
1 has my photos and a few files on the 500GB , soon upgraded to the 750GB
1 has my video library on the 750GB , soon to be the 2TB
The 500GB will have an image of the main laptop and a few other files not on the laptop image.

I also back up photos to dvd disks in digital file and slideshow formats.

My phone is a dummy but I just got a smart one just for using as an app platform $20, not activated as a phone but can get online using my mobile hotspot.

Some travel in the camper , some in a bug out backpack , some in the camera bag , some in my pocket. DVDs and 500GB portable at my mom's as long as she's still around......