No matter what data you are dealing with, corruption is a real and pervasive problem that is difficult to avoid. In fact, some studies have shown that corrupted data is the single biggest cause of computer downtime, as programs and software become unusable and the problem becomes difficult to properly identify.
If you want to know how to fix data corruption, you need to know what causes data corruption. For this, we have got you covered. Read on to find out the top five reasons you probably have corrupted data, and how to prevent data corruption in the future.
1. Viruses & Malware
If corrupted data is rendering your IT system unusable, then a data corruption attack is likely to be the reason. Viruses and malware attacks are happening at a higher rate than at any other point in history, with all types of businesses and individual users being targeted.
It is common for maliciously deployed malware to disable specific ACCDB and MDB files, or even the entire Windows operating system. If you have had your data corrupted by a malware attack, it is imperative that you act fast to restore your valuable data.
2. Sudden System Shutdowns
Unexpected shutdowns happen all of the time. Perhaps the power source is accidentally shut off. Perhaps the CPU is overloaded and shuts down. Perhaps there is a problem with your servers. Whatever the reason, an unexpected system shutdown can easily lead to the corruption of an active database.
That’s why, when knowing how to prevent data corruption, it is important to know how to prevent this data corruption example by securing your power sources and making sure you are not overloading your computer when you are using it.
3. Too Many Users
On certain Microsoft platforms such as Access, there is a strict limit to the number of users that can be using a particular database at a given time. If this number is exceeded, the system might struggle to cope and any new or existing data can easily become corrupted.
That’s why you should make sure that everyone who uses your system is aware of any user limitations or recommendations. It is then your job to ensure that everyone adheres to these restrictions.
4. Hard Disk Degradation
Much like with every other type of electronic technology, wear and tear is an unavoidable fact of life. A damaged section of your hard disk will render data held on that disk as corrupt and potentially useless.
You should always be careful to keep your hardware safe and in good condition. You should also remember to conduct preventative maintenance to extend the lifespan of your hardware whenever possible. You should also take care to keep your hardware away from water or heat in order to reduce physical degradation.
Prevent Corrupted Data from Becoming a Problem
Corrupted data can have devastating consequences for any business. That’s why you need to take the simple steps required to stop corrupted data from ever becoming an issue. For this, you have come to the right place. Make sure to consult our expert IT guides to learn how you can keep your system in perfect working order.
