Hard Drive Recovery Group, based in Irvine, California, has discussed some of the most common scenarios that lead to data loss in a recent blog entry. While the company specializes in the recovery of sensitive information, they maintain that the best approach is always to be proactive and avoid the risk of data loss altogether. The article is titled, ‘5 Horrifying Scenarios That Lead To Data Loss,’ and can be found on their website.

Maureen Davies, a spokesperson for Hard Drive Recovery Group, states, "Over the years, we have had many cases where a customer comes to us with an issue that could have been easily prevented. In most cases their data is compromised due to malware and, occasionally, we get a client who accidentally deleted the info. Losing your sensitive information can be very stressful and, if you are a business, this is intensified even further. However, the most important part of this process is to learn from it, and we are committed to helping our customers in this aspect as well."

The company's article explains that the first situation that everyone should be aware of is a hardware failure. More than 140,000 hard drives fail every week, compromising the user's information and putting them in a dire situation. Depending on the cause of the failure, the data recovery process may not be possible, as these are delicate pieces of technology that are not designed to be repaired.

Regardless of this, an experienced individual can salvage most of the sensitive information, helping their client get back on track with the most crucial information while they continue working to recover the rest. The typical causes for such failure include overheating, mechanical issues, human misuse, or the equipment being dropped. The earliest signs of hard drive failure are screen freezes, grinding noises coming from the computer, and an overall slower response carrying out regular tasks.

Another common scenario that causes a significant amount of data losses is malware attacks or viruses. While most people use antiviruses and other applications that claim to defend the user, these measures can only protect them to a certain extent, and users are never fully protected. Furthermore, hackers continue to develop their malware to bypass antiviruses every day, and chances are that, regardless of the type of protection used, there will always be a new type of virus preying on the unaware. The best way to prevent an unwanted infiltration is to restrict internet travel to secured websites and avoiding sites that appear suspicious or untrustworthy altogether.

Malware threats tie closely to another common cause of data loss: hacker attacks. Hacking and data breaches have become more common in recent years as more individuals seek new ways to take advantage of others online. As with malware, preventing hacker attacks is not a concrete science, and the best practices include the use of adequate firewalls and keeping passwords secure.

While there are several other scenarios that could lead to data loss, HDRG notes that these are the most common. However, whether data loss can occur due to the aforementioned causes or by another entirely, the company states that the best way to prevent data loss is to get into the habit of creating up-to-date backups. Having a copy stored safely in a third party location is the best way to ensure the well-being of sensitive data, regardless of what may happen to the original files.

The ideal option would be to have a physical copy of all crucial data stored in an external drive, in addition to another copy stored online via a cloud service. Taking these steps will ensure that any irreplaceable data can easily be retrieved in the unfortunate event of data loss, whether it is vital to keep a business running or simply a fond memory.

Even if it is too late to develop a backup plan for sensitive information, receiving help from a professional can go a long way in recovering the data. Hard Drive Recovery Group is one of the most successful data recovery specialists in California, having served the community for over 15 years. They state that, if anyone can retrieve sensitive data from a failing hard drive, it is them.

HDRG's services include data recovery for Basic HDDs, RAID Servers, and Apple And Mac systems. The company provides free quotes to their clients, presenting them with a preliminary diagnosis of their devices. Those who would like to learn more may contact Maureen Davies of Hard Drive Recovery Group to make further inquiries.

from Hard Drive Recovery Group

Considering the non-stop race to the bottom we're seeing where corporate America continues to cut or eliminate jobs despite massive profits (we're looking at you, GM), or participate in hardcore union busting (still looking at you, GM), Apple has made a decision that will likely surprise a lot of Americans (it surprised us, without a doubt). Apple, mostly in fear of tariffs, but also continuing a current agreement, will continue to assemble its Mac Pro computers in none other than Austin, TX. The whole thing, naturally, is not completely American:

The world's largest technology company said Monday that it can continue assembling the device in Austin, Texas, where a contractor has made the Mac Pro on Apple's behalf since 2013, after the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative last week exempted partially assembled circuit boards, graphic cards and other Chinese-made components from the tariffs.

(Via: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/made-in-the-usa-mac-pro-will-be-made-in-austin-texas-apple-says/)

In a very odd, but likely unintended consequence of President Donald Trump's tariffs, a recent Wall Street Journal article claimed they were considering moving the Mac Pro production to China in order to be close to its suppliers. Maybe it's just us, but "closer to suppliers" sounds a lot like, "save money by paying people hundreds of dollars LESS per day". Need more proof? From the same article:

Apple is reportedly considering moving up to one-third of its production out of China to low-cost countries like India and Vietnam. That wouldn't be easy, however — experts says that moving just 20% of its production out of Shenzhen on Chinas' mainland near Hong Kong would take at least three years to execute. Apple still manufactures its other top-selling products, like iPhones, iPads and MacBooks, in Shenzhen. The Mac Pro is not one of the company's best-selling products, though it is one of the most expensive, starting at $6,000.

(Via: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/made-in-the-usa-mac-pro-will-be-made-in-austin-texas-apple-says/)

So not exactly what we would call a "victory" for American workers, but in this era, things are changing fast. According to a Washington Post article, financial bigwigs are shaking in their space boots, fearing that a Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren presidency will take away the cookie jar that allows American companies to profit mightily while firing workers en masse in the USA.

Wall Street is sounding the alarm over Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s rise in the Democratic presidential race, as investors start to grapple with the possibility the industry scourge secures her party's nomination.

One investor joked that the stock market wouldn't even open if the Massachusetts senator became president; a segment on CNBC featured the idea that married couples could get divorced rather than be subjected to Warren's "wealth tax."

(Via: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/the-finance-202/2019/09/24/the-finance-202-wall-street-is-getting-worried-about-a-possible-president-warren/5d893ce2602ff152cce03db9/)

Over the next 14 months, it's clear that stock market folks will be quick to blame any momentum for either Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren for any market selloffs, as opposed to the fact that there has been little in the way of recessions or real market corrections since 2009, when the US economy began its jobless recovery. That's all fun and games, for sure, but a day of reckoning is coming for the markets, and a continually befuddled Joe Biden is unlikely to change that.

But at the risk of getting too political, let's get back to Apple. Big Kudos should be given to them, despite the fact that the Mac Pro's manufacture location has little to do with "saving American jobs". It's a rare move these days, and one we should all commend.

If you do own a Mac of any kind, be it the Mac Pro, MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, remember that Hard Drive Recovery Group offers a wide variety of data recovery services for Mac. See that page here. Or check out this page.

Mac Pro: Made In The USA To Stay, Says Apple is courtesy of www.harddriverecovery.org

via https://www.harddriverecovery.org/blog/mac-pro-made-in-the-usa-to-stay-says-apple/

Hard Drive Recovery Group, a RAID data recovery services firm based in Irvine, California, has announced that they have recently published an article titled, “Affordable AI-Powered Software Can Help Prevent Malware Attacks.” This blog post points out that software programs using artificial intelligence (AI) technology are needed to prevent malware attacks because hackers are smart people who are able to create codes for the specific purpose of infecting computers in order to steal critical information from computers.

Maureen Davies, a representative for Hard Drive Recovery Group, says, “If you do a lot of banking and shopping online, you’re definitely going to need this AI-powered software. One thing you need to know about the Heimdal Thor Foresight Home Malware Protection is that it’s not an anti-virus software. There’s actually a big difference between the two.”

The difference is that an anti-virus relies on its database of existing vulnerabilities. To protect the computer from malware infection, it makes use of signature-based detection of malicious software. However, that is not sufficient. Cyber attacks have become more complicated and 75 percent of them are brand new, which means that they are not likely to be listed yet in the database of an antivirus software.

The Heimdal Thor Foresight Home Malware Protection takes a more proactive approach by scanning all Internet traffic, whether incoming or outgoing, for malicious connections and then it blocks them. This particular AI-supported software is actually affordable. And it can be used to supplement the standard antivirus software.

Unfortunately, there is no such kind of protection that can prevent a hard drive from failing. Whether or not the computer has been exposed to a malware or virus attack, hard drives can fail. And the antivirus and malware protection software cannot prevent the hard drive from failing or crashing. When a hard drive failure happens, people will just need to fix servers and their RAID hard drives and get the services of a hard drive recovery expert from a company like Hard Drive Recovery Group.

RAID networks are still able to function even if one the drives fail because of its built-in redundancy. However, it will be functioning in a “critical” or “degraded” state and its performance will have declined. This usually happens because the data that was lost in the failed drive will have to be generated “on the fly” from the parity data. The failed hard drive will have to be replaced and after this is done, and the array will have to be generated on the new drive through the use of the RAID controller.

Furthermore, while the array is working in its degraded mode, it is vulnerable because at that particular time, it no longer has redundancy. Thus, it is important to replace the failed drive as soon as possible.

Then there is the possibility of multiple drive failure or other equally serious problems. If one of these occur, it is necessary to call for assistance from a professional RAID data recovery firm, particularly if the array’s files are not regularly backed up. Fortunately, with the use of special tools, facilities and software, and skilled experts from a company like Hard Drive Recovery Group, data recovery can almost always be a success.

There are various DIY methods for recovering data for RAID systems through the hex editor. However, it is important to know that these methods will entail certain risks and it is advisable to back up the drives before making any of those attempts.

For professional RAID recovery services, the Hard Drive Recovery Group can boast of their broad experience. They have been recovering hundreds of RAID servers a month for more than a decade. They also have a Class 100 clean room, which ensures that the RAID server recovery will be performed in a professional and risk free environment.

Those who are interested in new blog posts and other stories from the Hard Drive Recovery Group can visit their website or contact them through the telephone or via email.

from Hard Drive Recovery Group

You can reset your MacBook Pro. As a matter of fact, you should. If you want to sell or give it to someone, you should reset it back to factory default. That way, all your personal data, photos, and videos aren’t exposed. It’s also a good idea to reset your MacBook Pro if it’s slowing down a bit.

If your MacBook Pro is performing very slowly or you want to sell it or give it to someone else, you may want to reset it to factory conditions.

In plain English this means restoring your MacBook Pro to how it worked when you took it out of the box.

(Via: https://www.techradar.com/how-to/how-to-reset-a-macbook-pro)

Here are the steps to reset your MacBook Pro. You’d be surprised how easy it is to do. Before you actually start to reset your MacBooK Pro, you have to be crystal clear with the reason why you’re doing it. Are you giving the unit away? If you are, the first thing you would have to do is to unlink your MacBook Pro from your Apple ID.

Here’s how you can do it.

If you want to give your MacBook Pro away, you’ll need to unlink it from your Apple ID, otherwise the new owner may have trouble signing in via iCloud. The easiest way to do this is to boot up your MacBook Pro, open System Preferences > iCloud and choose to ‘Sign Out’. You can safely choose to erase local copies iCloud data on your Mac, as they’re backed up to Apple’s servers.

Alternatively, open any web browser, visit the iCloud website and sign in with your Apple ID. Select ‘Find my iPhone’. Your MacBook Pro will be listed under ‘All Devices ‘.
Select your MacBook Pro and click ‘Remove from Account’. Make sure to repeat these steps for each person who’s signed into your MacBook with their Apple ID.

(Via: https://www.techradar.com/how-to/how-to-reset-a-macbook-pro)

Whether you’re selling your MacBook or not, you should back up all your data. This way, your data is preserved and safe.

Although you may want to reset your MacBook Pro to its default settings, you might have data like documents, photos and videos that you want to keep.

If you keep backups via Time Machine, insert your chosen drive into your MacBook Pro, click the Time Machine icon at the top of your screen and choose ‘Back up Now’.

Connect the drive to your device. The Mac Operating System will ask if you wish to use this drive for backup purposes.

Click to confirm and the backup process will begin automatically; this can take several hours. You can buy drives specifically formatted for macOS on the Apple online store but any external hard drive will do, as Time Machine will automatically format it to be Mac Compatible.

This process erases any data already on the drive, so make sure to use a new or blank one.

(Via: https://www.techradar.com/how-to/how-to-reset-a-macbook-pro)

Once all your data have been backed up, you can erase or delete them from your hard drive. Follow the instructions below to erase all your data from your hard drive.

Once Time Machine has finished backing up your files, safely disconnect your drive by opening Finder, then click the eject symbol next to the drive name.

Put the backup drive in a safe place, then shut down your MacBook Pro. Once your device is fully shut down, make sure the power adapter is connected then hold down the keys Cmd + Alt + R before restarting your MacBook Pro.

If all goes well you’ll see the words ‘Starting Internet Recovery’ on your screen along with the image of a spinning globe. Release the keys and wait for Internet Recovery to finish loading. If you don’t see a small progress bar on screen, click the name of your wireless network and enter your password. This allows your MacBook Pro to download the tools it needs.

Once the Recovery Area has been loaded, click ‘Disk Utility’ then ‘Continue’. Your MacBook Pro’s hard drive will be displayed in the white box on the left hand side – it's default name is ‘Macintosh HD’.

Click to highlight this drive in blue, then choose the ‘Erase’ button. Double check that the ‘Format’ is set to macOS Extended (Journaled), then click the ‘Erase’ button.

(Via: https://www.techradar.com/how-to/how-to-reset-a-macbook-pro)

The next step for you to do is to reinstall macOS. To do this, you would really have to be crystal clear with the reason why you’re resetting your MacBooK Pro. If you’re giving it away, you won’t be getting an updated version of the operating system. Since you’ve already unlinked your Apple ID, you can only use the Internet Recovery Tools to reinstall macOS.

Once your hard drive has been fully erased, click the words ‘Disk Utility’ at the top left-hand corner of the screen, then choose ‘Quit’. This will take you back to the main page of the Internet Recovery area.

Click the Wi-Fi symbol at the top right of the screen and make sure there’s a black tick next to the name of your own wireless network. If not, click the network name to connect.

Once you’ve done this, click the second option in the center of the screen marked ‘Reinstall macOS’ or ‘Reinstall OS X’, then click continue. This will begin the reinstall wizard. Note that this will usually be the operating system which originally came with your MacBook Pro, not necessarily the most recent version of macOS.

This is because you’re using the Internet Recovery Tools. If you use the standard Mac Recovery area to reinstall macOS, the operating system will be linked to your Apple ID, meaning your password would be required for every software update.

The Internet Recovery tools don’t require this, which is very useful if you’re giving your MacBook Pro to someone else. If they want the latest version of macOS, persuade them to sign in to the App Store and download it using their own Apple ID, once reinstall is complete.

Click ‘Continue’ to proceed, then ‘Agree’ to the Terms and Conditions. The install wizard will now ask you to choose the destination drive. Click the one your erased in the previous step (e.g. ‘Macintosh HD’ )then on ‘Install’.

Reinstall time will vary depending on your connection speed. Keep your MacBook Pro connected to mains power with the lid open whilst this is taking place.

(Via: https://www.techradar.com/how-to/how-to-reset-a-macbook-pro)

Finally, it’s time to launch Setup Assistant. If you’re giving or selling your MacBook to someone, you don’t have to do this part. If you’re keeping your MacBook Pro, read on.

Once the Mac operating system has been successfully reinstalled, your MacBook Pro will launch Setup Assistant. This is the install wizard you went through when you first purchased your device.

If you plan to sell or give away your MacBook Pro, you can now shut down the device. The new owner can then restart Setup Assistant and enter their own details when they’re ready.

If you reset your MacBook Pro to fix a problem such as a slow system, click ‘Next’ to accept the default language. Setup Assistant will next offer you the chance to connect to WiFi - click the name of your network, then enter your WiFi password.

The Assistant will then ask if you want to transfer information to this MacBook Pro. This ‘migration’ feature is very useful for people who buy new devices and want to move data over from an old Mac.

If you use it here however, it may also restore the software problem that caused you to reset your MacBook Pro in the first place!

Choose ‘Don’t transfer’ for now and also ‘Don’t sign in’ if asked to enter your Apple ID and password. Setup Assistant will now ask you to enter your ‘Full Name’ and ‘Password’ to create an Administrator account on your MacBook Pro.

Enter the name ‘Test’ and password ‘test12345’ to be taken to the macOS desktop. At this stage, you may be asked to sign in with your Apple ID. Once again, choose ‘Don’t sign in’ for now.

(Via: https://www.techradar.com/how-to/how-to-reset-a-macbook-pro)

These are the 5 easy steps to reset your MacBook Pro. Now, if you don’t want to take a chance to reset your MacBOok Pro yourself, it’s okay. That’s understandable especially if you have confidential files in your MacBook Pro. The fact that you have to delete them can be a frightening thought.

If that’s how you feel, a better alternative for you is the Hard Drive Recovery Group. They offer https://www.harddriverecovery.org/mac-data-recovery/ services that you will find very useful in retrieving and protecting your confidential files.

5 Easy Steps To Reset Your MacBook Pro Read more on: http://www.harddriverecovery.org

via https://www.harddriverecovery.org/blog/reset-your-macbook-pro/

With two recent blog posts, Hard Drive Recovery Group discusses not only fatal errors on external hard drives that can create problems for users, but also some of the new features of the iPadOS, which will soon be released in non-beta format to iPad users. These posts continue the RAID data recovery service's dedication to educating its customers about hard drives and data recovery tips.

In the post entitled, "Fatal Errors On External Hard Drives: Here's How You Can Fix Them", Hard Drive Recovery Group discusses the five main causes of fatal errors, and also notes techniques to recover and or fix these errors. Some of these may be as basic as simply changing a USB cable, and some may require greater expertise, such as when the user has to consider looking under the hood in Windows.

"One of the greatest issues that people tend to have with external hard drives in general is that these hard disks are quite fragile at times, and tend to report fatal errors that are overblown," said Maureen Davies, spokesperson for Hard Drive Recovery Group. "When it comes to any kind of hard drive error, it's always important to consider the fact that the actual issue that is causing it may be the least complicated, and the easiest to fix."

Each day, Hard Drive Recovery Group receives at least five calls from users with external hard drive issues that really do not require the help of a data recovery expert. Instead, users are typically pointed to classic error-checking programs such as chkdsk or to Windows Device Manager to solve their issues. Typically, this works wonders, but the tools are much more limited in complex situations, such as RAID disk examination or error checking.

"External hard drives are for the most part excellent devices, but because they are carried around quite a lot and because they often have to be continually plugged in to different systems, there are definitely a number of points of failure," said Davies. "The key is to understand that if your computer is reporting a fatal error, it may not be such a big deal as long as there hasn't been a physical problem such as the drive falling on the floor."

In a second post entitled, "Get To Know The Features Of The iPadOS", Hard Drive Recovery Group discusses some of the new unique features that will be central to the latest iPad operating system. The OS is currently still in public beta, but promises a wide variety of iPad-specific features once it is finally released.

"Fundamentally, iPadOS does appear to be extremely similar to iOS 12, which came on previous iPads, but there are definitely some cool features here," said Davies. "This only makes sense, as it is pretty obvious that iPad users are often very different and have different goals than MacBook or Mac Pro users. This is an attempt to redress the imbalance there."

Some of the new features discussed include the new ability for an iPad user to attach an external mouse, a multi-screen multitasking interface for more experienced users, and also a feature called SideCar, which enables the iPad to become an extension of the user's MacBook if activated. None of these are going to change the world for iPad users, but they do at least suggest that Apple is paying attention to this segment, and that they are serious about it.

"This is one of those feature sets that tends to move the iPad beyond its status as a 'fancy toy' and into something like a productivity tool," said Davies. "One of the biggest issues for iPad users has always been that there were no external storage options that could be used. With this new OS, that's all changed."

from Hard Drive Recovery Group

Everyone has experienced data loss. No one is spared from it. You have probably experienced it already. The question is, did you learn from the painful experience of losing valuable data?

Maybe you did learn a thing or two but to think that it’s never going to happen is wishful thinking. Data loss can happen again and again and again. That’s how serious data loss is.

According to Small Business Trends, 140,000 hard drives fail in the United States every week, while Data Loss itself is up 400% since 2012. Yet, 68% of SMBs do not have a disaster recovery plan.

(Via: https://interestingengineering.com/always-be-prepared-5-annoying-scenarios-of-data-loss-and-how-to-recover-your-data)

You don’t really have to be a small business owner to have a disaster recovery plan in place. But if you are, you better have one. You can’t afford to be part of the 68% of SMBs that don’t have any kind of recovery plan. Don’t wait for a disaster to happen when you need data recovery. You need to protect your business with a solid recovery plan.

Truth is, data loss could be just around the corner for you. Considering the 5 horrifying scenarios that lead to data loss, you’re bound to lose crucial files anytime now. Here are the 5 horrifying scenarios that lead to data loss.

The first horrifying scenario is a damaged hard drive. While the lifespan of a hard drive can be long, it’s not forever.

You might love using that old computer but at some point due to wear and tear, that hard drive will fail. Hard drives are some of the most fragile parts of a computer, with as mentioned above, 140,000 hard drives crashing every week. Issues for this can range from mechanical issues to human misuse or mishandling, including the dreaded computer drop.

There are even some signs to be on the lookout for, like your computer being unusually hot, consistent freezes, computer grinding noises, just to name a few.

(Via: https://interestingengineering.com/always-be-prepared-5-annoying-scenarios-of-data-loss-and-how-to-recover-your-data)

The second horrifying scenario that leads to data loss is a virus or malware attack.

You may think you are protected, but there is a good chance you're not as hackers get better at creating tools to invade and infect your computer. On a business level viruses can steal and delete crucial data, bringing businesses to their knees if not properly prepared. Guarding against malware is crucial.

(Via: https://interestingengineering.com/always-be-prepared-5-annoying-scenarios-of-data-loss-and-how-to-recover-your-data)

The third horrifying scenario is something you have no control of. The weather has become more unpredictable these days. There is just no way to tame it. The rains are stronger and the floods are deeper. They can damage and ruin anything in just a couple of seconds.

Sometimes mother nature is purely unforgiving, whether your home or business is damaged by a storm, it is crucial to have a plan ready just in case. From tornados to fires, all it takes is one wrong natural disaster to ruin a day.

(Via: https://interestingengineering.com/always-be-prepared-5-annoying-scenarios-of-data-loss-and-how-to-recover-your-data)

Another horrifying scenario that leads to data loss is human error. How many times have you deleted a file accidentally? No matter how computer savvy you are, you’re bound to make that error.

Human’s can put a rover on Mars, but sometimes we do stupid things with computers. At some point, it is going to happen. You might accidentally delete an important PDF or presentation without even realizing it.

Let’s face it; things get confusing when you are working late at night. Data loss caused by human error range from hard drive damage to liquid spills, to software corruption and accidental hard drive formatting.

(Via: https://interestingengineering.com/always-be-prepared-5-annoying-scenarios-of-data-loss-and-how-to-recover-your-data)

Hackers can make your life miserable. Once they’ve penetrated your computer, you’re doomed. That is the 5th horrifying scenario that leads to data loss.

Cybersecurity should be on the tip of every major small business, laptop user, and a major corporation if it is not already. Hacking and data breaches have become more common over the years with news stories covering the next “XYZ” organization or even a person losing their data to an unwarranted attack.

Tools like have the right servers, having adequate firewalls, and even using complex passwords are the keys to tackling this issue.

(Via: https://interestingengineering.com/always-be-prepared-5-annoying-scenarios-of-data-loss-and-how-to-recover-your-data)

These horrifying scenarios can happen anytime of the day. Hence, is the reason why you need a https://www.harddriverecovery.org/hard-drive-recovery.html service that’s available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The blog post 5 Horrifying Scenarios That Lead To Data Loss was originally seen on http://www.harddriverecovery.org

via https://www.harddriverecovery.org/blog/5-horrifying-scenarios-that-lead-to-data-loss/