When you have experienced an incident that has resulted in the loss of your important data, it is hard to know where to turn. Whether physical trauma to the machine is responsible or a virus has done damage to your hard drive, your files and data are suddenly inaccessible, and you don’t know what to do next.

If the damage is serious and you can’t access the files on the hard drive, the odds are good you won’t have much luck getting those files back on your own. If you don’t have your files backed up somewhere, you will need to find a way to access the originals. When it comes to dire data loss situations like this, it is time to turn to a data recovery service that can get your files back for you.

Accessing the files on a damaged hard drive requires specialized equipment and skills that the average computer user simply doesn’t have. A data recovery service can take your hard drive and access even areas that the computer can’t read, restoring files you thought were lost for good. When you are ready to turn to a professional to help you get your files back, there are a few things to consider, including making sure you choose the right data recovery service.

Ask For Referrals

The best place to start is to ask around for referrals. A data recovery service that comes highly recommended is an important part of your selection. You will want to know that they have a reputation for getting good results, doing the work quickly and efficiently and that other customers have been satisfied with the service in the past. Consult your friends, and if you know anyone who works in the IT industry, see if they can recommend a service.

How Much Will It Cost?

Of course, another big consideration when it comes to a data recovery service is the cost of the work. If you are trying to access important business files, you may not be as concerned with the expense as you are with getting your files back as soon as possible. Should this be your home computer and you do not need the information right away, you may be more inclined to take your time looking for the best deal. In any case, shopping around for quotes is a smart way to make sure the business is not overcharging you for their services. Keep in mind that you are not only looking for the best deal when you shop around. Instead, look for the best value in terms of the data recovery service’s experience, reputation, and reasonable cost. A cheaper quote is meaningless if you never get your files back. Most data recovery firms offer a no-charge guarantee if they are unable to recover the missing files. Be sure to ask.

Data Security

Before you hand over your hard drive to anyone, be certain that they can be trusted with potentially sensitive information. No matter what you have on your computer, whether it is business or personal, there is undoubtedly information on your computer that is of a private nature, including personal emails and possibly even information that could be used for identity theft. A trustworthy data recovery service will promise you that your data is secure and that access to it will be carefully controlled. This comes back to the reputation of the data recovery company. This can be verified through customer testimonials and through company reviews that can be found online.