Getting Started

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Chapter 6 Protecting Your Files
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Protecting Your Files

• In this Chapter, you will learn
• If your files can be lost
• If your hard drive can fail
• If viruses can destroy your files
• How to protect your files from viruses
• Whether you need a disaster recovery plan
• How to use Windows Backup
• About tape backup devices

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Losing Computer Files

• Several factors outside of your control can cause
  lost files.
  
• Files that you are presently working on are held
  in temporary RAM and if the power is lost for any
  reason, the in-process files are also lost.
  
• Files saved on disk storage however, are not
  affected by lost power.

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Losing Computer Files

• To prevent major losses, you should save a file
  every few minutes while you are working on it.
  
• Many software programs will automatically save
  for you if you set the correct options.
  
• A UPS (uninterruptible power supply) device can
  be hooked up to your computer which will allow
  enough power to save current files and shut the
  computer down if the power goes out.

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Losing Computer Files

• Natural disasters also could affect your entire
  PC and all of the files saved on it.
  
• Even with normal use, it is possible for the hard
  drive to become damaged and unusable through a
  head crash.
  
• Some head crashes are caused by mechanical
  problems, but others can be avoided by not moving
  the computer while it is on.

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Can the hard drive stop working?

• There are several unusual situations like head
  crashes, mechanical problems, or circuit
  malfunctions that can cause a hard drive to
  fail.
• When a hard drive crashes, all or part of your
  files may become unusable.
  
• Sometimes you get warning signs that there are
  problems and you can use Windows ScanDisk
  software to check for bad sectors and mark or
  fix them.

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Can the hard drive stop working?
Checking a hard drive for bad sectors
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Can a virus destroy files?

• A virus is a program, often embedded in a
  legitimate program, that can cause problems on
  your system.
  
• Virus programs can replicate themselves and
  spread through out your files or system.
  
• Virus programs can also be spread through emails
  you send to others.

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Can a virus destroy files?

• When a virus delivers its payload, it might print
  out an annoying message on your screen or it
  might systematically destroy your files and
  programs.
• The trigger for a virus might be a date, a
  combination of keys, or any other sequence of
  events on the computer.

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Can a virus destroy files?

• The clues or symptoms that a virus is on your
  system might include
  
• Unusual messages on the screen
• Your hard drives fills with files you didnt
  create
  
• Your PC slows significantly
• You cannot boot your PC or access your hard
  drive
  
• You cant access your files
• Files that you havent worked on become larger

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Can a virus destroy files?
Sources of Virus Infection
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Protecting your Files from Viruses

• Antivirus software will scan for and remove
  viruses from infected files.
  
• Antivirus software can be set to scan both
  incoming files and current files on the hard
  drive.
  
• This software looks for the virus signature of
  infected files. Virus signatures are like
  fingerprints and unique for each virus.

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Protecting your Files from Viruses

• Antivirus software should be updated regularly to
  add the most recent viruses.
  
• To protect yourself against viruses
• Set your software to scan your files on a regular
  basis.
  
• Update the software frequently.
• Scan all files downloaded from the Internet.
• Scan all files on diskettes before copying to
  your PC
  
• Activate any application software options that
  protect against Macro viruses

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Protecting your Files from Viruses
Running your VirusScan software
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Should you do a disasterrecovery plan?

• Since you cant predict when or if you might lose
  your files, you need to have a plan to recover
  them if it happens.
  
• Your best defense is a backup of critical files
  stored off the computer.
  
• With a backup, you can restore the files if they
  have been destroyed.

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Should you do a disasterrecovery plan?

• There are several types of backups
• A mirror image system is often used by businesses
  to do a total copy of a system so it can be
  totally restored.
  
• A backup or copy of one or more critical files.
  If lost these files can be restored to their last
  backup and then updated to current status.
  
• An archive of historical data that is only used
  occasionally, but is not current enough to keep
  on the hard drive.

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Should you do a disasterrecovery plan?

• A backup/recovery system should be geared to your
  personal needs
  
• Set a backup schedule based on how much work you
  can afford to redo usually weekly or more
  frequently.
  
• You should keep at least two sets of backups
  more if the work is very critical.
  
• You should be sure you are not backing up a
  system or file virus.
  
• Store your backups in a safe place away from the
  computer.

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Hardware Backup and backup devices
Different backup media
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Hardware Backup and backup devices
Different backup media, continued
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Using Windows Backup
Starting the Windows Backup Utility
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What do you think?
What about a good virus?

• Have you ever used a computer that had a virus?
• Have you ever lost a file because of a virus?
• Does the computer you use most regularly have
  antivirus software?
  
• Do you think the benefits of good viruses
  outweigh their risks?
  

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Chapter Summary

• You should now be able to
• Identify the possible risks to your PC.
• Understand viruses and how to protect your PC
  against them.
  
• Develop your own disaster recovery plan.
• Backup your critical files.
• Understand the uses of tape backup systems.