chapter 6 protecting your files. 2practical pc 5 th edition chapter 6 getting started in this...

Chapter 6Protecting Your Files

2 Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 6

Getting Started

• In this Chapter, you will learn:− What you should know about losing data− How to reduce the risk of losing data− How to protect files from viruses− What tools can be used to recover corrupted

files and lost data


Getting Started

• In this Chapter, you will learn (continued):− How to use restore points− The most effective backup strategies− About Hardware: Backup devices


What should I know about losing data?

• There are many ways to lose data– Hardware failures, human errors, fires & floods– A corrupted file is a file that has been damaged in some

way– A computer viruses and worms can alter data– Head crash is when the read/write head crashes into the

disk surface

• Become familiar with tools to protect and restore data


Can I reduce the risk of losing data?

• To protect your computer:– Keep your computer in a safe place– Don’t bump it or drop it– Use a surge strip to prevent power spikes– Use a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) in case of a

power outage– Save your work often – Use S.M.A.R.T. technology when possible to be warned

when something is going wrong• Two of the most important steps you can take are to

use antivirus software and make backups


Can I reduce the risk of losing data?

A surge strip (left) and UPS (right)


How do I protect my files from viruses?

• A virus is a small computer program that can replicate itself and do damage

• A worm can spread from computer to computer and allows hackers access to your computer

• Antivirus software works in the background scanning and watching for virus signatures– A virus signature is a series of unique bytes that identify a

virus– If a virus slips through it can sometimes be removed, but

not always– Your final protection against viruses is regular backups


What tools can I use to recover corrupted files and lost data?

• Recovery tools– The Windows Installation disc can be used to start your

computer if it doesn’t boot– System Recovery discs return your computer to its factory-

new status– System Restore repairs operating system files and reverts

settings back to a point in time when the computer was working correctly

– Backup combines selected files into one large compressed file stored somewhere other than its original location


What tools can I use to recover corrupted files and lost data?

Creating system recovery files


How do I use restore points?

• Windows creates restore points that are a snapshot of your computer’s system files at a specific point in time– Windows automatically sets restore points at

certain times, such as before updates are installed– You should also set manual restore points– Restore points do not affect your data files– You cannot use restore points to retrieve data


What are the most effective backup strategies?

• Backups make sure important data exists in more than one place

• You will want to backup Documents, Pictures and Music

• Also backup Internet connection information, E-mail folders and addresses, favorite URLs, downloads, validation codes and configuration information

• It is easy to copy backed up files from CDs, DVDs and UFDs onto your hard disk– If your files are too large for portable storage you can use

Backup software


What are the most effective backup strategies?

• Backup software– Backup software combines the files into a single

large file then compresses it– Incremental backups copy only files with changes– A full system backup is a mirror image of your

entire hard disk


Hardware: Backup devices

• Backup devices include CDs, DVDs, UFDs and external hard disks

• Information on CDs and DVDs– CDs and DVDs can save some of your files, but will not

have room for the entire contents of your personal folders

– Store discs in a safe place– CDs and DVDs are suitable for making a one time

system recovery disk



Backing up files to a CD or DVD



• Information on UFDs– UFDs are useful because you can reuse them and easily

carry copies of files with you– UFDs can malfunction so you may not want it to be

your only backup– Some backup programs will not write to a UFD– A UFD left plugged in may be affected by power surges,

although always unplugging the UFD can cause wear and tear on the port

– Unplug a UFD when transporting computer since it can be knocked off



• Information on external hard drives– External hard drives are affordable, large enough for

full backups, and fast– The risk is there is only one external hard drive– Be careful because internal and external hard drives

can both malfunction at the same time– Disconnect the external hard drive when not in use– Keep a rotating set of backups rather than overwriting

one backup each time


What about a “good” virus?

• What do you think?– Have you ever used a computer that had a virus?– Have you ever lost a file because of a virus?– Do you think the benefits of “good” viruses

outweigh their risks?


Chapter Summary

• You should now know:− The facts about losing data− How to reduce the risk of losing data− How to protect files from viruses− How to use tools to recover corrupted files and

lost data


Chapter Summary

• You should now know (continued):− How to use restore points− The most effective backup strategies− About different backup devices