Can I Recover Lost Data from an Android?

We all typically have important data stored on our computers and smartphones. Most of us store that data locally, meaning you could lose everything if something were to happen to your computer or phone.

So, have you ever considered what would happen if all of your data was lost and you didn’t have a backup? What would you do?

Data loss is a big annoyance that wreaks havoc on the day-to-day operations of any information-based company. When essential data and documents go missing, your company will have to spend time and resources recreating or retrieving these files to fill the gaps left by the loss. While hard copies of information may be found, they may not be as up-to-date as their lost digital counterparts.

If you want to know how to recover lost data from your Android device without any backup, you’ve come to the right place.

Reasons for Data Loss

Data loss is a common issue when it comes to Android devices. Nothing can ensure the safety of your digital assets, no matter how diligent you are. Data loss can happen in various ways.

Data loss can be minor or catastrophic, depending on what was lost. Even in the best-case scenario, you’ll have to devote time and money to recover it during forensic data analysis.

The main reason behind the data loss is that people are not backing up their important files. Many reasons can cause data loss from Android devices. Some of them are listed below:

• Accidental deletion: Your files may get deleted accidentally when you press the delete button on your keyboard or by pressing the delete button on your device.
• Virus attack: If you have an infected device, it may result in data loss. It also includes damage to files due to a virus attack.
• Hard Reset: If you want to reset or clear all data from your android phone, you will lose all the app data and settings. So, in this case, there is no other way to recover deleted files from an external source like a computer or cloud storage.
• SD card malfunctioning: If your SD card gets damaged or corrupted, it can cause data loss from your device and laptops or PCs that use SD cards for storage purposes.
• Corruption of software: Data can be lost due to software crashes that request data. If the software fails while updating several files, some files may fail to save or update, resulting in their destruction.
• Power Failures: Sudden power outages may result in data loss by damaging hardware and causing the operating system to malfunction. Sometimes, computers cannot reboot, so they can’t access data. Suddenly increasing voltage (usually) can lead to data loss and damage to computer hardware.
• Damaged Device: If your android device gets damaged due to water damage or any other reason, all the data on it will be lost because of hardware failures.

Recovering Lost Data Without Any Backup

Losing important data can be a nightmare for any individual or business. While having a data backup is the best way to ensure you don’t lose your data, sometimes things don’t go as planned, and you end up losing your data without any backup. Several common causes of data loss include power outages, human error, and hardware failure. However, you can still recover your lost data with the right tools and approach.

One way to recover lost data is by using the Windows File Recovery tool, which can recover deleted files from your computer’s hard drive, external storage, and even from flash storage. Another option is to check if your cloud storage services have previous versions of the file you lost. File-sharing services also have a trash bin where deleted files are temporarily stored, and you can retrieve them before they are permanently deleted.

Additionally, it’s important to note that different file types may have different recovery methods. For example, photos can be recovered by using specialized software.

Here are some options for recovering data from your Android device, regardless of how or why it was deleted.

Recovering Lost Data Using CMD

When you lose your data, the first thing you should do is try to find it on your device again. If you have not synced the device with Google Drive or another cloud service, you can use the CMD to locate it and lock it remotely.

Command Prompt (CMD) is a command-line interpreter built into Windows. It’s a powerful tool for troubleshooting and system administration, but it can also be used to recover lost files.

This method can only work if the battery has not been completely discharged or the phone has not been reset after losing the data. If these conditions are met, it’s worth trying this method before going ahead with other options.’

Get Back Data Directly from the Recycle Bin

If you have deleted a video or image file, it will be saved in the Recycle Bin. You can quickly get back such files using this method.

Steps:

1) Go to Settings> Storage & USB.

2) Tap on Internal Storage or SD Card, depending on where you want to look for your Recycle Bin.

3) You will see two options: ‘ Recycle Bin’ and ‘Clear Data. Tap on Clear Data to delete all data from that folder.

4) Go back to the previous page by tapping the Home button and then tap on the Recycle Bin option again. When you open the folder, all deleted files will be displayed there, along with other files that were not deleted earlier.

Deep Scan

It would help if you first tried to connect your phone to a computer and open its storage location through a file explorer. If you find the deleted data there, it’s easy to restore it by copying or moving the files to your computer. If not, try performing a deep scan on your phone using third-party software.

Use Recovery Software

To recover your lost data, you can use the Android Data Recovery tool, which can help you easily recover all types of data from your Android quickly.

Data recovery software is designed to recover lost files from storage devices like hard drives, USB drives, memory cards, etc. The main advantage of this software is that it can recover files from formatted drives. This means that if you have accidentally formatted your hard drive or memory card, then it will still be able to retrieve all the lost files from them.

There are many options available in the market. Still, before buying, anyone makes sure that it supports all the latest versions of android devices and has a sound customer support system.

Final Verdict

Every user has experienced data loss in a variety of ways. When you accidentally delete pictures or videos from your device’s storage or your essential company data gets lost, you feel like it’s the end of the world. But there’s no need to worry because you can get all your data back if you follow our best practices.

Data safety and security have become a top priority for every company within the fast-paced business world where everything is done digitally. With data storage, recovery, and backup solutions from Protected Harbor, you can be assured your data is secure.

Our mobile security keeps your employees connected and productive while protecting sensitive data and company assets. Network security ensures reliable, high-speed connections for your employees and guests while safeguarding your network from outside threats. Data security and isolated backups protect your organization’s most critical asset — its data — from internal and external threats and fast recovery to keep your business up and running.

With the right approach, you can retrieve your lost data.

Contact our data experts today to learn about data safety and security procedures and how we keep your data backed up and always accessible in an emergency.

12 Common Reasons Why Your Data Gets Lost

Have you accidentally deleted an important work file or maybe even lost your precious vacation pictures from this past year with your family? These unfortunate events can be devastating, and we have all experienced the feeling of dread that comes along with losing a file. The loss of data is not usually the result of external attacks. All it takes is one negligent employee’s activity or a simple technical failure to wipe out all your essential data.

To choose a recovery method, you must understand how and why data is lost.

Common Reasons for Data Loss

Here are some common reasons for data loss.

1. Hardware Failure
   Hardware failures can lead to data loss in many ways. A hard drive crash is the most common type of hardware failure, but other types can also result in data loss. For example, a power surge or lightning strike could damage your computer’s motherboard or circuit board. If your computer doesn’t have a surge protector, it could be damaged by a power outage or brownout (a voltage drop). It’s also possible that a virus or other malware could damage your computer’s operating system or corrupt files on any attached storage devices, such as USB drives.
2. Software Corruption
   The operating system’s or applications’ corruption can cause file system damage and lost data. This is often a result of bugs or viruses that corrupt your data files. These bugs are typically found in software programs or drivers used to run your computer’s hardware.
3. User Error
   User error is another prevalent type of data loss, especially among home users who don’t understand computers very well. Education and training are the best ways to prevent this data loss. If you have a friend who doesn’t know much about computers but wants to learn, get involved in backing up their important files so they understand why it is essential for them to do so.
4. Malicious Action
   If you have sensitive company or personal information stored on your computer, you must ensure that no one else has access to your machine. Unfortunately, this isn’t always possible. If you’re not careful, someone could hack into your device and delete files without you knowing about it until it’s too late. This is especially true if you use public Wi-Fi hotspots and don’t protect yourself with a VPN (Virtual Private Network). A hacker could quickly gain access to your computer and steal any sensitive information.
5. Overwriting Data
   For the computer to store information, it needs a way to write on the hard drive and keep track of where everything is located so it knows where to find it later. When you delete files, they aren’t erased from the disk until you overwrite them with new data. If you don’t overwrite them with new data, they remain on the disk until they’re overwritten by something else — which could be years later! If someone gets their hands on your computer when there’s still old data on the disk waiting to be overwritten, they could recover that old information in some instances.
6. Accidental Deletion
   Accidentally deletion occurs when people try to remove files from their computers but delete them by mistake. This often happens when trying to remove malware or other unwanted programs that have infected their computer systems. Even if they think they’ve deleted all traces of the infection, they might be mistaken; certain types of malware are designed to hide until they cause further damage to your system.
   
7. Hacker Attacks and Data Theft
   Data thieves use sophisticated techniques to get their hands on information they can sell or use themselves. This includes using malware to infiltrate your system, stealing passwords and other login credentials, or gaining access by posing as an employee or contractor. These attacks can cause significant damage, so you must take steps to secure your data and protect against them as much as possible.
8. Viruses and Malware
   Viruses and other malicious software (malware) can completely corrupt or delete your files. Viruses can also infect your computer’s operating system, leading to other problems. Contact a professional immediately if you suspect your device has been infected with a virus or other malicious software.
   Protected Harbor can protect your business from infection from ransomware, viruses, useless subscriptions, phishing attacks, and end-user problems, making your IT as strong as Protected Harbor does your business.
9. Accidents Involving Fires and Explosions
   Explosions are uncommon, but fire will almost certainly utterly destroy your computer and any data stored on it. The backups kept in the same residence are likewise at risk from fire. For example, having weekly backups on an external hard drive held in the same building won’t assist much if the building burns down. The computer and the backup disc will be destroyed in this instance, and all data will be lost. Making regular backups and keeping them in other (different) locations is the safest strategy against fire.
10.   Power Failures
    A sudden power outage could cause your computer to lose data if it was writing an update when the power went out. This can be especially problematic if you’re storing all your data on one drive because there will be no duplicate copies stored elsewhere. Other causes include faulty batteries or power surges that cause damage to hardware components.
11.   Memory Corruption
    A bug in your code causes an unexpected result that might corrupt memory, leading to problems with reading or writing data stored in memory.
12.   Liquid Damage
    Water or any other liquid getting into your computer or digital device can cause permanent damage and make it impossible for you to re-access your files. For example, most hard drives will not be able to read the information on a damaged platter, even if the rest of the campaign is still working fine. If you spill water on your laptop while it’s running, there’s a good chance you’ll lose all of your data because moisture can cause corrosion inside your laptop’s internal components.

Final Words

As it turns out, data loss can happen in several ways, but there are steps you can take to minimize the chance of this happening to you. It’s always important to make regular backups of your information—never keep all your eggs in one basket. Also, remember to secure sensitive information correctly especially if you’re dealing with sensitive data.

Protected Harbor enables you to store data in multiple locations and ensure that your data is safe in case any location is affected by a critical disaster. It also keeps your data protected by monitoring and securing it from viruses and other malicious software. This solution also enables you to set up a disaster recovery plan so that your business does not incur any loss of data.

Above, we have listed the most common reasons as to how and why you can lose your data; you need to be proactive and take the proper measures to secure your data. Consider partnering with a data expert like Protected Harbor. We understand that data is important; that’s why we help you keep it safe.

Get free data penetration testing, including hardware check, and Protected Harbor today.

5 Emergency Hard Drive Recovery Solutions

We’ve all used them, and we’ve all had problems with them. Of course, we’re referring to hard drives, which are just as crucial in our personal and professional life as the computers on which they run.

The most significant drawback of hard drives (both HDDs and SSDs) is their low reliability. According to Backblaze, cloud storage and data backup firm, the Annualized Hard Drive Failure Rate (AFR) for 2022 is expected to be approximately 1.45%, which indicates that more than one out of every 100 hard drives will fail over a year.

Hard drive failure can strike at any time and without warning. When it does, it can be devastating, mainly if the drive contains essential data that has not been backed up. Fortunately, several emergency hard drive recovery solutions can be used to salvage data from a failing drive. If you’re worried that your current cloud storage provider won’t be around if your data is lost, or you are concerned that your data may be at risk due to a natural disaster or another unforeseen event, then you’ve come to the right place.

What is a Hard Drive Recovery Solution?

A hard drive recovery solution is a process of retrieving data from a damaged or inaccessible hard drive. Data loss has many potential causes, including physical damage, logical damage, virus attacks, and software corruption. In most cases, data can be recovered using specialized software and techniques. Among the different recovery solutions available, the best one for you will depend on the damage to your hard drive and the amount of data you need to recover.

Emergency Hard Drive Recovery Solutions

Emergency hard drives recovery solutions are crucial when recovering data from a failed or damaged hard drive. Here are five of the most effective methods:

1. Disk Imaging

Hard drive failure can be devastating, especially if critical data is lost. To avoid further damage and preserve as much data as possible, disk imaging should be performed. Disk imaging involves creating an exact copy of the damaged hard drive. This copy can then be used for recovery purposes. Hard drive recovery solutions can be used to recover data from the image, or the image can be used to create a new hard drive. Either way, disk imaging is an essential step in hard drive recovery.

2. Data Carving

Data carving may be a successful solution even when other methods have failed. Data carving involves scanning the hard drive for known file types and extracting them. This method can be successful because it does not rely on the file system to locate the files. Instead, it looks for specific patterns that are known to be associated with certain file types. As a result, data carving can effectively recover lost files from a damaged hard drive. Hard drive recovery solutions can be complex, but data carving is a simple and effective method that anyone can use.

3. Firmware Updates

In some cases, updating the firmware on a hard drive can enable it to be recognized by the computer and allow data to be recovered. The manufacturer usually updates the firmware, but sometimes it can be done by the user. Firmware updates can be found on the manufacturer’s website or on a CD that comes with the hard drive.

Instructions on updating the firmware can also be found on the manufacturer’s website. In most cases, it is best to leave the firmware update to be done by the manufacturer. However, if the user feels comfortable doing it, they can follow the instructions with the update. Once the firmware has been updated, it is essential to run a test to ensure that the data can be recovered from the hard drive. If not, there may be something wrong with the hard drive, and a professional should be consulted.

4. Consult with a Specialist

While many do-it-yourself data recovery solutions are available, these are often ineffective and can even cause further damage to your hard drive. A data recovery specialist like Protected Harbor will have the tools and knowledge necessary to safely and effectively recover your lost data. In addition, they will be able to advise you on the best way to prevent data loss in the future. As such, consulting with a professional data recovery specialist is the best way to ensure that your lost data is recovered and that you are prepared for future data loss.

5. Reformatting

You may be considering reformatting as a last resort option. This process will erase all data on the drive, but it can sometimes enable the drive to be used again. Before reformatting, you should always back up any important files you don’t want to lose. Once you’ve backed up your data, reformatting is a relatively simple process. However, it’s important to note that reformatting will not fix any underlying problems with the hard drive.

If the drive fails due to physical damage, reformatting will not repair the damage. In some cases, reformatting can even make physical damage worse. As a result, reformatting should only be attempted if all other options have failed and you’re willing to accept the risk of losing all data on the hard drive.

Final Words

In the event of a hard drive crash, there are several solutions to consider to try and recover your data. While some solutions may be more successful, it is essential to try various methods to increase your chances of recovering as much data as possible. If you have experienced a hard drive failure, don’t panic – start by trying one or more of these emergency hard drive recovery solutions. In most cases, data can be recovered using specialized software and techniques.

However, in some cases, data may be permanently lost due to severe physical damage or corrupt file system structures. If you have lost essential data from your hard drive, it is crucial to seek professional help from reputable providers like Protected Harbor as soon as possible. Their qualified data recovery solutions will be able to assess the extent of the damage and recommend the best course of action. In many cases, data can be successfully recovered even if the hard drive is severely damaged. A data backup and disaster recovery plan are also essential to prevent such situations from happening again. Our experts also suggest a regular restore functionality check.

If you are a business with a critical need for data continuity and considering buying a stand-alone device for data backup in an emergency, there is a better option. You can get an enterprise-grade external hard drive or a cloud solution from Protected Harbor and set it up as a data recovery vault. This way, you’ll have it ready to go in case of emergency, and you won’t have to worry about the possibility of data loss.

Want to know how our isolated backup and disaster recovery is one of the best in the industry? Contact our experts who are available to assist you 24×7, and you get a free IT audit as well.

These Cloud Vulnerabilities Will Cause Your Next Data Breach

Cyber security is a constant race between businesses and hackers in the digital world. Every new technology has potential risks that must be understood and addressed before implementation. New threats are emerging all the time and cloud computing is no different. Many types of cloud services are being used by businesses more than ever before.

In fact, according to Gartner, private cloud services will continue to grow faster than public cloud services in the next few years. However, some types of clouds are riskier than others regarding cyber security. Several vulnerabilities can expose your company’s data when using any cloud service or Software as a Service (SaaS) application.

This article lists common vulnerabilities you should know about before using any cloud-based system or software.

Understanding Cloud Vulnerabilities: Protecting Sensitive Customer Information

As businesses increasingly turn to the cloud for their computing needs, it’s important to consider the potential vulnerabilities of storing sensitive customer information in a shared infrastructure. Cyber attacks are a constant threat, and unauthorized access to personal data such as social security numbers, financial information, and other sensitive information can lead to identity theft and other serious consequences.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS) are two popular cloud computing services businesses use to store and access their data. While the cloud offers many benefits, knowing the potential risks is important. Cloud providers are responsible for securing the underlying infrastructure and providing secure cloud access. Still, businesses are responsible for securing their own data and applications that run on top of the cloud infrastructure.

One way to protect sensitive customer information is by using a hybrid cloud model, which allows businesses to keep some of their data in a private data center while still taking advantage of cloud computing resources. This approach can provide additional security and control over customer data.

Another important consideration is the use of virtual machines in the cloud. Virtual machines can help isolate applications and data, limiting the impact of a potential cyber attack. It’s also important to implement access controls and encryption to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Public Exposure

The oldest blunder in the book is setting up a new cloud resource but leaving it entirely insecure and publicly visible. Your unprotected public assets will almost certainly be found because hackers today frequently use automated tools to scan target networks for any exposed assets.

By 2022, nearly 50% of businesses would unknowingly or accidentally have some IaaS storage devices, networks, apps, or APIs directly exposed to the public internet. This number is up from 25% in 2018.

Excessive Permissions

Fast company operations are one of the main advantages of switching to the cloud. However, access credentials are routinely distributed hurriedly and needlessly in the interest of expediency, resulting in many individuals having excessive permissions for which they have no business need for. If any of those credentials end up in the wrong hands, attackers would have unrestricted access to private information.

By 2023 (up from 50% in 2020) 25% of security breaches will be due to improper handling of login credentials, identities, and privileges, predicts Gartner.

Lack of Multi-factor Authentication for Privileged Users

One of the most typical cloud vulnerabilities is the absence of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for users assigned to privileged administrative positions in control. Access for privileged users must be as secure and feasible in any cloud environment. A company may suffer severe repercussions if a fundamental security measure like MFA is not enabled.

It is straightforward for malicious actors to exploit privileged accounts without MFA being enabled. These accounts are vulnerable to brute force assaults due to lacking MFA. Hackers can use these accounts to entirely disrupt an organization’s operations and steal its data because they often have high administrator permissions.

Insecure APIs

APIs, or Application Programming Interfaces, are frequently used to simplify cloud computing. APIs make it very simple to share data between other apps, improving convenience and efficiency. However, if they are not secured, this can lead to multiple cloud vulnerabilities and become an easy entry point for malicious attackers.

Threat actors can launch DDoS assaults and obtain access to sensitive company data by taking advantage of unsecured APIs while remaining unnoticed. In fact, by 2022, API abuses are anticipated to overtake other attack methods as the most popular, according to Gartner data.

Final Thoughts

If companies using the cloud do not consider limiting the dangers that accompany it, they are taking a preventable yet significant risk. The IT processes teams use to develop and deploy applications in the cloud infrastructure must be well integrated into a company’s strict cloud security rules.

The use of cloud computing has changed how businesses and hackers operate. Both new opportunities and threats related to cloud security have been introduced. Enterprises must continuously address the dangers and difficulties associated with cloud security while implementing the appropriate security technologies to facilitate operational work.

It’s essential to understand the potential vulnerabilities so that you can mitigate them. Suppose you have any concerns about your current cloud environment. In that case, you can consult with a cloud consulting company like Protected Harbor to help you assess the risks and implement practices to avoid data breaches.

Protected Harbor‘s cloud security solution integrates the latest security technologies with your cloud infrastructure. Businesses can take advantage of cloud computing’s capabilities with the right technology and the help of cloud security specialists.

We have researched and created an e-book for companies looking to migrate to the cloud. This e-book helps them to understand better the benefits as well as the risks that come with cloud migration so that they can plan. Get your free copy of the e-book today!