Computers

Every other day, we hear a story or another about data theft, data leaks and hacking. As an entrepreneur and business manager, that can be alarming for anyone. Everything that we do on a computer is stored on the hard drive, and just ‘shift+delete’ is not enough. In fact, there are endless software solutions out there that can recover lost data, and while majority are designed to recover lost files, these are often used for the wrong reasons. Following data destruction protocols is not a choice for businesses anymore, regardless of the niche and industry. Below are some of the relevant aspects at a glance.

How does data destruction work?

Typically, the process of data destruction depends on the company you choose. There are companies that specialize in the job, and they follow certain protocols as mentioned above. First and foremost, the hard drive is wiped thrice, and specific software solutions are used to verify each of the steps. This helps in ensuring that the data is aptly removed and cannot be recovered anymore. After this, the hard drive can be destroyed completely to avoid any traces. It’s important to mention that such kind of data destruction can cost more than physical destruction, but the process is extremely secure and is done by professionals, who are well equipped with the required software.

Cost and other aspects

Since data destruction is practically unavoidable, it is wise to note that the cost depends on many factors, including the size of the job. Most of the large drives take longer time, and if you have more smaller drives, the wiping process can be lengthy in that case too, since each of them will be wiped thrice. Typically, you can expect to spend somewhere between $7 and $12 on a drive, but again, physical destruction is cheaper. Many larger businesses that want to retain the drive, it is wise to go for software deletion, which is effective for perfect cleanup of drives.

If you are looking for a company for data destruction, check online. Many of the companies that specialize in e-waste management also deals in data delete processes, and you can easily get an estimate for free. Check their certifications and find more about their services in detail and if they are verified and certified by different organizations. To know more on data destruction, find a company now and ask them for an on-site visit.

The presence of a virus in your computer system can lead to many issues. Viruses are malicious software that is capable of damaging your computer, destroying files and stealing personal information. Being able to catch the presence of malware on your computer early is important to get it removed before it’s too late.

Below are the major signs that your computer is infected with malware.

Poor Performance

A computer that is infected with malware tends to have a sluggish performance. Although this could be caused by a lack of hard disk space or RAM memory, this could possibly be caused by a virus infection.

You Notice Onscreen Pop-Up Ads

The presence of these pop-up ads certainly indicates a virus infection. While they are annoying, they may still come with other malware that will give further damage to your computer system. Make sure you don’t click o those pop-ups so you don’t allow the download of more malware.

There are Files Missing

There is malware that can cause issues by deleting programs and files or transferring them from location to another. A number of them may encrypt your files to make it impossible for you to open them. If you notice changes in your file access, then your computer may be infected with malware.

Constant Crashes

In case programs begin to open and close automatically, your computer shuts down or freezes without any reason, or you can find a strange error message, then your system may be infected with a virus.

Your Email is Invaded

As the virus has penetrated your email, it may be sending emails or messages to your friends asking them to click on a link or attachment. The virus may be trying to spread to other systems through your email. Make sure you change your password right away.

Your Anti-Virus Protection is Disabled

A number of viruses are made to disable your antivirus software. In case you cannot open your computer protection or even your firewall, this means that a virus is manipulating your computer.

If you spot any of these signs of a virus infection, make sure you install and run an anti-virus software program. If your software has also been attacked, contact a reputable technician from Top Range Technologies. If still working, set your software to automatically scan your system regularly and make sure it is up-to-date. Also, ensure your computer firewall is turned on because they will block malware attacks through the internet.