Ontrack Data Recovery publishes tips to protect data during volatile summer weather

For many countries summer weather brings thunderstorms with heavy rain and lightning that can seriously damage computers and networks. It is estimated that computer damage and data loss from lightning strikes costs the US nearly $2 billion per year, according to the National Lightning Safety Institute. This means data loss that can affect e-mails, pictures, financial statements, invoices and other critical information and documents. To help computer users protect themselves against these weather-related disasters, Ontrack Data Recovery has published several tips that can help protect data:

* Install a surge protector between the power socket and the computer's power cable – and spend the extra $20-$30 to get an actual surge protector, not just a power strip. Some brands offer guaranteed lightning protection, even on their lower-priced models.

* Small businesses with networks should get surge protectors that offer protection from surges through network cables.

* Check protection devices regularly: at least once a year you should inspect your power protection devices to make sure that they are functioning properly. Most good ones will have a signalling light to tell you when they are protecting your equipment.

* Use dedicated circuits, if possible: putting the computer on its own power circuit, so it isn't sharing the power with your air conditioner, space heater, and vacuum cleaner, greatly improves the power quality and insulates the PC from power sags when these devices are turned on.

* Turn off and disconnect the power cord during an electrical storm: This is a simple precaution that protects your system from possible problems during a thunderstorm.

* Turn off power during a blackout: if you lose power, when the power comes back on the signal can initially be inconsistent, which can cause damage.

* High voltages can enter your computer through the phone line connected to the modem. To protect your computer during electrical storms, unplug the telephone line from the modem jack or use a telephone line surge suppressor.

* Businesses with network servers should invest in some form of uninterruptible power supply (UPS), which uses batteries to keep servers running during power outages.

* Summer heat can also be a significant problem. Keep your computer in a cool, dry area to prevent overheating.

“Computer damage from severe weather conditions is surprisingly a very common problem,” said Jim Reinert, sr. director of Software and Services for Ontrack Data Recovery. “By safeguarding your computer with power protection devices, the chances of experiencing data loss are significantly decreased. However, if you do encounter problems, users should contact a knowledgeable data recovery company that has experience recovering data from computers damaged by every type of natural disaster. Even if your drive appears visibly damaged or completely dead, you should always try data recovery. ”

www.ontrack.com

•Date: 24th June 2004 • Region: N.America •Type: Article •Topic: IT continuity
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