91 lines
3.4 KiB
Markdown
91 lines
3.4 KiB
Markdown
|
# Data Recovery Techniques
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
## 1. Understanding Data Loss Scenarios
|
||
|
|
- Accidental deletion
|
||
|
|
- File system corruption
|
||
|
|
- Hardware failure
|
||
|
|
- Malware or cyber attacks
|
||
|
|
- Improper system shutdown
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
## 2. Preparation for Data Recovery
|
||
|
|
- Stop using the affected drive immediately
|
||
|
|
- Boot from a live Linux distribution (e.g., Ubuntu Live USB)
|
||
|
|
- Prepare a separate storage device for recovered data
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
## 3. File Recovery Tools
|
||
|
|
### a) TestDisk
|
||
|
|
- Powerful, open-source tool for recovering lost partitions
|
||
|
|
- Can fix partition tables and recover deleted partitions
|
||
|
|
- Usage: `sudo testdisk /dev/sdX` (replace X with the appropriate drive letter)
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
### b) PhotoRec
|
||
|
|
- File carver that can recover various file types
|
||
|
|
- Works even when the file system is severely damaged
|
||
|
|
- Usage: `sudo photorec /dev/sdX`
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
### c) Foremost
|
||
|
|
- Forensic data recovery tool
|
||
|
|
- Recovers files based on headers, footers, and internal data structures
|
||
|
|
- Usage: `sudo foremost -i /dev/sdX -o /path/to/output/directory`
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
### d) Scalpel
|
||
|
|
- Another file carver with a configurable database of file types
|
||
|
|
- Usage: `sudo scalpel /dev/sdX -o /path/to/output/directory`
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
## 4. Command-Line Data Recovery Techniques
|
||
|
|
### a) Using dd to create a disk image
|
||
|
|
- `sudo dd if=/dev/sdX of=/path/to/disk_image.img bs=4M conv=noerror,sync`
|
||
|
|
- This creates a bit-by-bit copy of the drive for safer recovery attempts
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
### b) Recovering deleted files with extundelete (for ext3/ext4 filesystems)
|
||
|
|
- `sudo extundelete /dev/sdX --restore-all`
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
### c) Using grep to search for specific file content
|
||
|
|
- `sudo grep -a -C 100 "unique_string" /dev/sdX > recovered_data.txt`
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
## 5. File System-Specific Recovery Techniques
|
||
|
|
### a) Ext3/Ext4
|
||
|
|
- Use e2fsck for filesystem check and repair: `sudo e2fsck -f /dev/sdX`
|
||
|
|
- Recover journal: `sudo debugfs -w /dev/sdX`
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
### b) NTFS (for dual-boot systems or external drives)
|
||
|
|
- Use ntfsfix: `sudo ntfsfix /dev/sdX`
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
### c) XFS
|
||
|
|
- Use xfs_repair: `sudo xfs_repair /dev/sdX`
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
## 6. Advanced Recovery Techniques
|
||
|
|
### a) File Carving with Sleuthkit
|
||
|
|
- `sudo fls -r /dev/sdX`
|
||
|
|
- `sudo icat /dev/sdX [inode] > recovered_file`
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
### b) Using ddrescue for damaged drives
|
||
|
|
- `sudo ddrescue /dev/sdX /path/to/image.img /path/to/logfile.log`
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
### c) Recovering RAID arrays
|
||
|
|
- Use mdadm to reassemble the array: `sudo mdadm --assemble --scan`
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
## 7. Data Recovery from SSDs
|
||
|
|
- Use hdparm to check if TRIM is enabled: `sudo hdparm -I /dev/sdX | grep TRIM`
|
||
|
|
- If TRIM is enabled, recovery chances are significantly reduced
|
||
|
|
- Use specialized SSD recovery software like R-Studio or ReclaiMe
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
## 8. Prevention and Best Practices
|
||
|
|
- Regularly backup important data
|
||
|
|
- Use journaling file systems
|
||
|
|
- Implement RAID for critical systems
|
||
|
|
- Properly shut down systems
|
||
|
|
- Use UPS to prevent power-related issues
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
## 9. When to Seek Professional Help
|
||
|
|
- Physical drive damage
|
||
|
|
- Critical data with high monetary or sentimental value
|
||
|
|
- Legal or compliance requirements
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
## 10. Legal and Ethical Considerations
|
||
|
|
- Ensure you have the right to recover the data
|
||
|
|
- Be aware of data protection laws and regulations
|
||
|
|
- Handle sensitive recovered data with care
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Remember that data recovery success rates vary depending on the specific scenario and the time elapsed since data loss. Always prioritize creating a backup before attempting any recovery techniques to avoid further data loss.
|