The market is crowded with a wide variety of data recovery software. If you lose data quite often, you might probably have used one to recover lost files in one way or the other. But how safe is it to recover lost data with data recovery software?
In this article, we will answer this question to remove the doubt. But we will also try clarifying some of the data recovery issues. Similarly, we will show you the dangers of using data recovery tools and suggest some of the safest data recovery software to use.
Is Data Recovery Software Safe?
As we mentioned already, there are many data recovery software today. Similarly, many people now use a hard drive data recovery app to retrieve lost files. This is because people consider data recovery software easier and safer than trying other physical means to restore data.
Therefore, it is true and goes without saying that data recovery software is much safer than other data recovery methods. However, this does not mean that they are without fault. Any form of data recovery must therefore be carried out or handled with a lot of precaution to avoid further loss of data and damage to associated features of the operating system of your computer.
The next section will show you some of the main risks of using data recovery software.
Dangers Associated With Data Recovery Software
- The Threat Of Free Or Cheap Data Recovery Software
“You get what you pay for” is not just a saying. It means you will get less value for less. Cheap software will increase the chances of overwriting your data, corrupting, or even destroying them. Here are the two points you should remember about deleted data:
- Data remains precisely where it was before you deleted them
- The data is just not yet overwritten
You can avoid writing over your data by:
- Switching off the device after data loss
- Avoid searching for data recovery solutions using the same computer where you lost the data
- Free Data Recovery Software Gives You Inaccurate Scan Results
Generally, free data recovery software will skip over blocks of bad sectors while scanning to locate recoverable data when it comes across a bad sector. If you are using free software, then:
- It will skip over good data when it comes across a bad sector
- It may freeze when it comes across a bad sector
- It has a high chance of corrupting your data
- It cannot correctly compile data containing bad sectors
- It cannot make multiple passes at the bad sectors
Please note that free utilities will generally take a much longer time attempting to read bad sectors before deciding to skip them. Whether you use the apps to test a hard drive or attempt recovery, remember that it is during this time that more damage could happen to your data, and it may become unrecoverable. Professional data recovery software such as Disk Drill by CleverFiles is more versatile and can properly compile data and isolate the bad sectors without collateral damage.
- Data Recovery Software Will Not Tell You What Is Wrong With The Drive
There are several things data recovery software cannot tell you. For instance,
- Corrupt modules
- If there are bad sectors
- Corrupt firmware
- Mechanical failures
- Problems in the service area
- Scratches on the platter
- Crashed heads
- A Full Clone Is The Only Way To Recover Data Fully
The clone is a full bit-level image of the failing drive. It can only be done with specialized equipment. Below are the main reasons why you need to clone your drive first:
- Software recovery begins by “Scanning” the drive to “find lost data.”
- Once the lost data is “found,” you choose what to save, and the utility begins copying the data to the recovery destination.
Essentially, these scans:
- Might be the only chance to recover your data
- Can kill your drive and make reduce the chances of recovering the data
Precautions To Take Before Using Data Recovery Software
- Assess The Value Of The Data Lost
Assessing the lost data value helps you decide whether to risk the recovery process or take a more professional angle. If you lose data worth more than $200, you can seek professional data recovery to recover hard drive data of high value. However, you may decide to take the risk if your data is worth less than $200.
- If You Lost Data Due To Physical Damage, Forget About Using A Software
Data recovery software has its limits too. Suppose you dropped your hard drive and lost your data. As a result, you should forget about using data recovery software. In this case, a logical recovery will help as it is a user error.
- Observe the dangers discussed above to protect your data and avoid further loss or damage before you try to recover any type of files.
