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Data Recovery - Put to the Test
Introduction
Data recovery. Chances are if you use a computer often, you have data stored on some storage medium that is valuable to you. Valued data can range between an e-mail, a word document, a picture file, a floor plan, website design and code - anything that can be stored as data on a storage medium. Not too long ago, I saw an article in TIME magazine that talked about a company that was recovering data from hard drives that had been put through, let's say, unusual circumstances. One hard drive was shot with a pistol, and the data recovery company was successfully able to pull the data from the drive, or at least what was left of it. Today we get a close look at perhaps the leader of this industry, ACR Data Recovery. I worked closely with Doug Roberts of ACR to find the answers to questions you might ask. I also received a sample of their Media Tools Professional 2003 to see for myself if it really works, and moreover, how well. More on that later! Chattin' it up with Doug Roberts of ACR Data Recovery Note: I will refer to "ACR Data Recovery' as "ACR' from here on! Let's start by having a look at ACR's web site: http://www.data-recovery-software.com/index.htm As you can see on the site, their software, Media Tools Professional 2003, comes as a bundle including the following: Reverse-Clone, Cycle-Clone and Cycle-Image, File Recovery Tree, Boot and Partition Repair, Media Editor, Secure Wipe, and the Manual. We will mainly be focusing on one function of their software, File Recovery Tree. The other functions are for advanced users, mostly for other data recovery companies. More on this later... Until recently ACR was focused on their services rather than their software. ACR is now attempting to reach a larger market, the small-business owners. Previously, due to the high cost, only large corporations and other data recovery companies had access to ACR's services. Now small business owners and even individuals can afford to recover their data with Media Tools Professional 2003. Let's ask Doug for some more details. "In simple terms, Data Recovery is the process of extracting raw data from a media (hard drive - desktop or laptop; or removable media - tape, JAZ, Iomega Zip,...); and rebuilding the raw data into a useable directory structure format, so that it can be used again." So what is the process for in-house data recovery @ ACR? "Data Recovery Situation (http://www.data-recovery-software.com/services.htm)...This will give you a general overview of the data recovery process. Internally, data is handled in a strict manner to ensure privacy. Once a media is received, it is immediately taken into a secured area with access to qualified personnel only. The problem is then determined and the media is taken to the appropriate secured area to be recovered." A quick Google search revealed a plethora of options when it comes to data recovery. What are some things to watch out for when you are looking for a company to recover your data? "If it's too cheap, watch out... Someone is trying to beta test on your drive to gain experience. While pricing is important, the first question you should ask yourself is "Who am I going to trust to recover my important data; someone with a long history of results, or someone who is trying to gain experience?' In data recovery, experience is what you count on for favorable results. Another warning sign is when a company gives a success rate. Companies do this to play off your insecurities. They know you want your data back and are telling you what you want to hear. In other words, any company that gives a success rate is lying. When a company promises a specific recovery time period before seeing the drive, they are marketing to your sense of urgency, but are fibbing. Once again, the company is playing off your insecurities." If you decide to try out some data recovery software, be careful. A lot of the data recovery programs out there are designed to run in windows. The problem is that any program designed in Windows can and probably will overwrite the very same data that you are trying to recover. Doug explains: "Most data recovery software is designed for end-users who cannot afford data recovery services. These sorts of software are mainly designed in Windows, which has created another data recovery problem. ANY Windows based product will try to write to the drive during the booting process. This means, Windows data recovery software can and will overwrite your data in certain circumstances. So, make sure you have a back up before running Windows products. If not, you are flipping a coin to decide the fate of your data. We have developed low-level data recover software programmed in DOS for the end-user. DOS does not attempt to overwrite data unless you instruct it to do so. DOS based programs are also more effective in extracting and recovering data than Windows based programs. If you are wondering why there isn't more data recovery software programs developed in DOS, it is because "low-level' programming is a rare trait. There are very few "low-level" programmers left worldwide. And from those who program in low-level code like DOS, only a handful can do it at a professional level. ACR Data Recovery employees come from various backgrounds, but all are highly specialized in a specific area such as: electronics, hard disks, clean room technology, programming, marketing technical products and services, etc... Many years of experience is necessary, because the skills for data recovery are self taught. Several interviews are usually given and an in-depth background check is required before someone is hired. Even if they are approved, new employees only have access to certain areas until they graduate from a probation period. Once again, this is to ensure high security." What makes ACR Data Recovery better than other similar companies? "There are no manuals or courses that can teach you effective methods of data recovery. What this means is that experience counts. We have that experience plus the right people working with us. This combination gives us the edge we need to stay ahead. Something to note is that the data recovery industry has been around less than two decades. If you look throughout the Internet, most data recovery companies are claiming 20, 30 and even 40 years of data recovery experience. That's bull. These companies are "chop shops' with a decent website that are luring suckers into data recovery disasters. We get more drives than you can imagine that have been attempted to be recovered by these "chop shops'. Unfortunately, there is no watchdog for the industry, so be careful who you choose. Sending your drive to someone for data recovery services is like going to an Emergency Room at the hospital - it is often a critical situation. So ask yourself, "who am I going to trust to recover my data?' Know with ACR Data Recovery, your media will be recovered by data recovery technicians with almost 20 years of experience in successfully recovering almost every type of media available. You will also find the most effective do-it-yourself data recovery software worldwide - Media Tools Professional. Data Recovery Companies, Corporations and Individuals worldwide have used it as their main data recovery tool and for computer forensics for over a decade. Now you can use it, too." How was ACR Data Recovery established, & how do you keep ahead of competition? "Kenneth Roberts started a full-service IT business almost two decades ago. He soon realized that his data recovery techniques and results surpassed most companies who were specializing in this field at that time. So, he formed a separate entity that specializes in just Data Recovery and the rest is history. As far as staying ahead of the competition, they are our clientele. We have been writing code for data recovery companies worldwide for over a decade. So, the companies you would think would be our "competition" are actually our friends. We regularly communicate and work together with these companies to produce ideas and next generation tools." Tell me a bit more about your services, for example what sort of clients you serve, and what sort of cases you take on. "Our clients include Data Recovery Companies; Corporations such as General Electric, Ford Motor Company, Motorola... Government Agencies such as the military, CIA, FBI, etc.; and, just recently we have gone to the general public to market our software and services." I know in TIME there was mention of a company that recovered data lost from a hard drive that had been shot with a gun, one that was in an office fire, etc. Have you dealt with a lot of cases like these? "That company uses our software technology in their labs. I cannot mention names because of our agreement, but I know the article and to whom you are referring. As for an interesting story: Just last week we received a call from the U.S. military in Iraq. They had critical data on a laptop regarding the war. In a nutshell, the U.S. military downloaded our data recovery software, Media Tools Professional 2003, via satellite phone from Iraq and successfully recovered their data. In this case, without Media Tools Professional 2003, the U.S. Military would have had to fly the laptop drive to our European office in Switzerland for data recovery services. This is just one reason the U.S. military continues to trust our data recovery software and services. Another one: A disgruntled man recently approached us stating his wife had been having, let's say, extra marital activities. Worse yet, he found out because she accidentally left a file open on their computer showing her, let's say, doing those extra marital activities. His lawyer asked us to search for specific key words on the media that might unveil any more pictures. Sure enough, Media Tools Professional 2003 found thousands more. We have recovered drives from the bottom of the ocean, lakes, fires, and the list goes on." If you have any questions as to what the program can do and how to use it, have a look at http://www.data-recovery-software.com. You will get a detailed description about each function of Media Tools Professional 2003. The manual links you to step-by-step screenshots and a detailed description in running the software. You can also find it at http://www.MediaToolsManual.com. "You can find an overview of our services at http://www.data-recovery-software.com/services.htm. The approach is simple: people want to know, how much recovering their data will cost; when will they get it back; and what data will they get back. Companies talk too much about themselves and what they can do, in my opinion. Potential customers are interested in one thing: What is in it for me?" ACR Data Recovery, Inc. http://www.atl-datarecovery.com http://www.data-recovery-software.com http://www.MediaToolsManual.com - Your first line of technical support. 1.770.925.4420 1.770.925.8808 fax 1.800.444.3225
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