What is data loss? What causes it? Preventions?

kobi_po

Hey all! Just wanted to start a general thread on data loss.
I recently lost a bunch of files while juggling too many things at once (accidentally full formatted the wrong USB drive during a cleanup). Thought I was wiping an old Linux install… turns out I nuked the one with 5+ years of personal files, project notes, and other stuff I never backed up. Total file loss.
So, just curious to hear your stories. Ever had something liek that?
What were the causes of data loss in your case? Did you manage to recover anything?
And more importantly, what do you do NOW to avoid losing data? Backups, tools, cloud, whatever.
I’m looking for ideas.

crimsonKing

kobi_po My worst experience with data loss was when I lost all my university thesis. Thought I was safe because I had everything on a RAID setup. I now realize that RAID is not a backup. That was one of the biggest mistakes I made. Now just try to send any super important files to my own email, or keep a copy in Google Drive.

roman-demian

kobi_po Thanks for starting this thread. Just a note: our team actually published a guide on this exact topic Data Loss: Common Causes, Preventions & Data Recovery Techniques
Definitly check it out. Lots of practical tips in there. The article explains what data loss is and breaks down the various reasons it can happen (and how to avoid it):

Human error. One of the most common causes of data loss. A wrong button press, accidental formatting, or deleting the wrong folder happens more often than most people admit. To prevent it: set up automatic backups, use file versioning (like Time Machine or File History), and double-check before performing any irreversible actions. If it already happened: stop using the device immediately and try recovery tools or check for backups.
Malware or ransomware. Malicious software can encrypt, corrupt, or delete your files. Ransomware locks everything down and demands payment, sometimes with no guarantee of recovery. To prevent it: use reliable antivirus software, keep your OS and apps updated, and never open unknown links or attachments. If it already happened: isolate the device, don’t pay the ransom, and look into tools like No More Ransom. Restore from a clean backup if you have one.
Hardware failure. Hard drives (and SSDs) fail more than people expect. It might be slow degradation or a sudden crash from heat, age, or bad sectors. To prevent it: monitor your drives’ health with S.M.A.R.T. tools, avoid overheating, and don’t rely on one physical device. If it already happened: stop using the drive and try recovery software. If it’s a physical failure, contact a professional data recovery service.
Power outages & natural disasters. Sudden shutdowns can corrupt files. Fires, floods, or earthquakes can destroy devices entirely. To prevent it: use a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) and store at least one backup off-site or in the cloud. If it already happened: recovery depends on the damage. For hardware disasters, professional help is often your best bet.
Theft or physical damage. If your laptop gets stolen or your external drive gets dropped, data loss is almost guaranteed. To prevent it: encrypt sensitive data, don’t store your only backup with your laptop, and keep backups in separate locations. If it already happened: your chances depend on whether you had a second copy elsewhere. Cloud sync can be a lifesaver here.

You’ll also find guidance on using data recovery software, checking for backups, and safely handling failing drives. There’s a section on long-term protection too, it’s a solid, beginner-friendly read.

HopeInSleep

Oh yeah data loss club, we meet weekly 🙂
The worst for me was an old external HDD, which had personal photos, a few vids from college, some dumb stuff that still meant a lot. The drive started clicking, then just… died. Didn't manage to copy much before it fully gave out. My guess: cheap HDD + heat + age = 💀
Lesson learned, now I don’t store things I care about on just one device. That's it.

SocialImpactCoder

Yep, losing data is no fun. Formatted the wrong partition once. Lost all my freelancing docs, invoices, a few personal things too, nothing recoverable. Causes of data loss? For me it was: rushed workflow, no backup, overconfidence. Didn’t even try recovery that time, just started over (dind’t know any better). Now I use Disk Drill if I ever need to recover something. I keep Recovery Vault enabled in it too: runs in the background, tracks changes to files.
Also have Time Machine running to an external drive on my Mac. That’s saved me more than once.

Nonprofitech

Data loss hit me after a break-in, lost my laptop. Kinda the worst-case scenario, right? I had client work on there, photos from my last trip with my family, personal docs... all gone. Zero chance of recovery. The funniest part in this whole situation I DID have a backup on an external drive. But it was in the same bag as my laptop 😅 So yeah, full data loss thanks to one bad day.

Now I just split it up: Google Photos for pics, external drive for backups, some important stuff in Dropbox. And I print a few things too now, always recommend that - physical photos just hit different, good to have something on the wall somewhere.

0neWire

I’ve seen more data loss scenarios than I can count: hardware failure, ransomware, accidental formats, file system corruption, you name it. Most common causes in my experience:

Relying on one device
Skipping backups
Assuming cloud = invincible
Never testing restores

The reality is: losing data isn’t always about doing something wrong. Sometimes it's just bad timing and no safety net. What I recommend now is, same thing I use for personal and work stuff:
• 3-2-1 backup rule (3 copies, 2 types of storage, 1 offsite)
• Synology NAS w/ RAID1 for local redundancy
• Backblaze B2 for cloud backup
• Monthly encrypted snapshot to a cold HDD to store off-site

Also: test your backups. Every few months, pull a random file and make sure you can actually restore it. Seen too many people with “backups” that didn’t work when it mattered.

kobi_po

0neWire appreciate the breakdown, I’d actually never heard of the 3-2-1 backup rule until now.
I just googled it and found this whole Reddit thread where people are arguing about what "counts" as different types of storage and what’s considered offsite 🤔 Seems like folks interpret it in all kinds of ways.
Curious how you apply it in practice? Like, does cloud + external HDD + your main PC count?
Or are you stricter with how you separate things?

0neWire

kobi_po People definitely stretch the definition a bit when it comes to the 3-2-1 rule.
Here’s how I personally interpret it:
• 3 copies: The original + 2 separate backups
• 2 different storage types: I use SSD/NAS + cloud
• 1 offsite: Anything not in your house or on the same physical network

So, your example (PC + external HDD + cloud) totally counts IF that HDD is stored separately and not just plugged into the same machine 24/7. The goal is to avoid single points of failure. Fire, theft, device failure, accidental deletion, data loss can hit from a lot of angles. The 3-2-1 model just covers your bases.

EDIT: Also important to understand: the “offsite” part doesn’t have to be cloud. Just means the backup lives somewhere physically separate (so if your place floods or something, you’re not dealing with total file loss on top of everything else).

kobi_po

0neWire that actually clears it up perfectly thanks. Makes a lot more sense now.

SocialImpactCoder

Just to stir the pot a bit, how much can you REALLY trust cloud backups? I’ve used Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud, and I’ve had issues with all three at some point. Im not talking about encryption I mean actual access long term. Ever had your account flagged or throttled for ‘abuse’? Because I have.

0neWire

SocialImpactCoder Totally fair concerns. But if you reread my post, I did say cloud is part of the plan, not the whole plan. How I see it If you can't restore your critical files without logging into someone else's platform, you're at risk of data loss, no matter how safe the server is. That’s why 3-2-1 matters. Cloud is the “offsite,” but you still need “local” and “redundant” . I don’t blindly trust any cloud provider either, but I’m also not full-on paranoid about it.

KindnessCatalyst

Just jumping in to say… cloud kinda saved me
I had a full on panic last year after my macbook decided not to start anymore (rip lol).
thought everything was gone,but most of my stuff was (at least the important stuff) was backed up to iCloud.
honestly didn’t even realize how much was synced until I signed in from a friend’s laptop and it was all just... there.
so +1 for cloud