Tag: backups

Why Data backup and Data Recovery is essential.

Paul1 Reply

Master Chief, Backed Up by Rico-san, on Flickr

Behind the blog post!

I hate to rant on my family but sometimes they can be hardest people to deal with.  My Sister (I’ve got a lot of ’em) brought me this Acer Aspire One [Amazon Affiliate] laptop and asked me to get her data off it.  I really don’t have a problem with the laptop myself but what happened was something only another Geek would cringe.  The screen was cracked and the laptop wouldn’t boot.   The basic signs of a the laptop being dropped or smashed along the lines.  Anyways, she asked me to get her I-Tunes stuff off your computer.   That part isn’t really a problem because you can pretty much find the technical manuals for free.  So that problem was solved for me because I never taken apart a small laptop like that.  However, upon inspection of the cables I would need to use the hard drive.   I found I had a really old version of the IDE and Atapi USB connector and didn’t have a SATA USB Cable.   I bought one off Amazon which was Cables To Go 30504 USB 2.0 to IDE or Serial ATA Drive Adapter (Black) [Amazon Affiliate].   It Plugged in and started right up the Hard drive.   I must say it was the simplist plug and copy of files, that I’ve done in a long while.

Data Backup!

I really don’t buy from Itunes because of the fact I only get one file copy and if that is lost or stolen, then I have lost my money.   I prefer Amazon Video [Amazon Affiliate], because I can have 2 downloads and still stream it all I want.   I wanted to at least talk about some ways to backup again, I’m sure you’ve heard me talk about backing up once.  I hate for anyone to loose their data because they didn’t want to backup.  So I’m going to give you some help:

  • Decide what type of backup! This is the first step I take to figure out what type of backup I want.
  • Crashplan Plus [Affiliate link] is what I recommend.   You can backup all your household for just 6 dollars a month.  Works on All Major Operating Systems Linux/Mac/Windows, so no worries there.
  • Keep alert for Warning signs of a Hard Drive going bad.   This is also why you need to keep your data backed up.
  • Free backups are also better than nothing.   I don’t recommend as much because you get what you pay for, but it still might help you if their was a problem.
  • Don’t forget about Backing up your Drivers for those important hardware add-on.   I’ve seen it before, people have to go re-download them once they re-install the Operating system.  This will help prevent it.
  • If you want to keep your OEM Operating System, you might want to Backup your Hidden Partition on the Drive.  

In the End, it is what you want!

Nothing is set in stone, so you can always decide to do it your own way but you must remember to do it often and you must remember to have two or three ways to back up your software in case something terrible happens.   If you don’t you just might regret it, and you know how important those pictures of your kids are. 

Paul Sylvester

 

Polymorphic w32/Scribble and what that is:

Paul

Having read the Graham Cluley’s Blog about “Court halted by fast-spreading virus“. I wanted to talk about this one because of the need to let people know about this little Virus and what you see when you are infected.

This virus modifies the Windows Host file so it redirects the host to a loopback address. It also uses the I-frame Injection into HTM, PHP or ASP file extensions. W32/Scribble-a, also known as Virus.Win32.Virut.ce, PE_VIRUX.A, or Virus:Win32/Virut.BM allows a users to control the machine through IRC.
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Although originally misidentified at the time of the initial infection on 4th February as the Conficker worm, the infection was ultimately declared by officials to be “W32/Virut.n” (which Sophos has detected as the W32/Scribble-A virus since 3rd February).

[Via Graham Cluley’s Blog]

Sopho’s Has a removal tool for this to help disinfect a system that is infected. I also want to remind people about the need for backups and the need for Anti-virus Software, including a free firewall, will not protect you 100% of the time but will help you identify and possibliy remove a virus, Trojan, and worm from you system. Just like the seriousness of the Conflicker Worm, this too should be taken seriously due to how it is easily spreading. And with Valentines Day just a few days and some Other Holidays that will be coming up, you can bet this virus will start infecting even more systems. You should also backup your data weekly if not monthly. I’d suggest doing a backup on a Early Sunday Morning before 4am so the system won’t be used.  I’ll update you if there is anything else about this virus on my blog later.  Just wanted to let people know to be watching for this little virus on and offline!!