How to Recover .DCO Files After a Virus Compromises Your System

Have files been deleted due to a user’s error or software error? Have you formatted a disk by accident and need to know how to recover the files? Read our .DCO file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2024.

How to Recover .DCO Files After a Virus Compromises Your System

What is a .DCO file?

File created by Safetica Free, a program used for securely encrypting personal and business data; stores a virtual disk in an encrypted format and can be securely stored on external devices such as USB keys; similar to a .DCF file, which is used for encrypted file archives.

What Are Common Causes of ".DCO" Files Lost or Failure?

There can be several common causes for ".DCO" files lost or failure:

  1. Accidental deletion: The most common cause is accidental deletion by the user. This can happen when the user mistakenly deletes the ".DCO" file or empties the recycle bin without realizing that the file is important.
  2. Software or hardware issues: Sometimes, software or hardware issues can lead to the loss or failure of ".DCO" files. This can include system crashes, power outages, software conflicts, or hardware failures.
  3. File system corruption: If the file system on the storage device where the ".DCO" files are stored becomes corrupted, it can result in the loss or failure of the files. This can happen due to improper shutdowns, disk errors, or malware infections.
  4. Formatting or partitioning errors: Formatting or partitioning errors can also cause ".DCO" files to be lost. This can occur when a user accidentally formats the wrong drive or partitions the storage device incorrectly.
  5. Virus or malware attacks: Viruses or malware can infect and corrupt ".DCO" files, making them inaccessible or causing them to be deleted. This can happen when the user downloads infected files or visits malicious websites.
  6. Human error: Human error, such as accidentally overwriting or modifying the ".DCO" files, can also lead to their loss or failure.
  7. Synchronization issues: If ".DCO" files are stored or synced across multiple devices or platforms, synchronization issues can occur. This can result in the loss or failure of files if the synchronization process is interrupted or if conflicts arise.

It is important to regularly back up ".DCO" files to minimize the risk of loss or failure.

How to recover lost ".DCO" files?

Sometimes while working with a computer, laptop or other stationary or mobile devices, you may encounter various bugs, freezes, hardware or software failures, even in spite of regular updates and junk cleaning. As a result, an important ".DCO" file may be deleted.

Go to view
🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

By no means should you think that the only way to recover a ".DCO" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".DCO" files if a file was lost after accidental or deliberate deleting, formatting the memory card or the internal storage, cleaning the storage device, after a virus attack or a system failure.

Programs to recover ".DCO" files

Looking for a way to get files back? In cases when files were deleted and they cannot be restored by using standard operating system tools, use Hetman Partition Recovery.

Partition Recovery™ 4.9
The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.
Download

Follow the directions below:

  1. Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and start the program.

  2. The program will automatically scan the computer and display all hard disks and removable drives connected to it, as well as physical and local disks.

    File Recovery Software
  3. Double-click on the disk from which you need to recover ".DCO" files, and select analysis type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Analysis Type
  4. When the scanning is over, you will be shown the files for recovery.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Files that Can be Restored
  5. To find a file you need, use the program’s interface to open the folder it was deleted from, or go to the folder "Content-Aware Analysis" and select the required file type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Deep Scan
  6. Select the files you have been looking for and click "Recovery".

    File Recovery Software - Files List for Recovery
  7. Choose one of the methods for saving the files and recover them.

    Saving recovered files in Hetman Partition Recovery

How to open file with ".DCO" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo safetica Free Encrypted Virtual Disk Archive image file file?

Programs that open ".DCO" files

Windows
Safetica Free Safetica Free

Additional Information

  • File type: Safetica Free Encrypted Virtual Disk Archive

  • File extension: .DCO

  • Developer: Safetica Technologies

  • Category: Encoded Files

  • Format: Binary

Feedback

We will be happy to answer your questions!

Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 15:31 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .DCO files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
Post comment
User
Leave a reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

Share

Questions and answers

  • What is ".DCO Recovery" and how does it work?

    ".DCO Recovery" refers to a data recovery method that is used to retrieve data from hard drives that have been infected by certain types of malware. DCO stands for "Device Configuration Overlay," which is a hidden area on a hard drive where manufacturers store firmware settings.

    When a hard drive is infected with malware, it can modify the firmware settings, making the data inaccessible or causing the drive to malfunction. In such cases, DCO Recovery can be employed to restore the original firmware settings and recover the data.

    The process involves using specialized data recovery software or tools that can communicate directly with the hard drive's firmware. These tools access the DCO area, analyze the firmware settings, and compare them with the manufacturer's default settings. If any discrepancies are found, the tools can restore the original firmware configuration, allowing the drive to function properly again.

    Once the firmware is restored, the data recovery software can then scan the drive and retrieve the data that was previously inaccessible. However, it's important to note that DCO Recovery is not always successful, especially if the malware has caused irreversible damage to the drive or if the data has been encrypted or overwritten.

    It is recommended to seek professional assistance from data recovery experts if you encounter a situation where DCO Recovery is required, as it involves technical knowledge and specialized tools.

  • How can I recover files using ".DCO Recovery" software?

    To recover files using ".DCO Recovery" software, you can follow these steps:

    1. Download and install the ".DCO Recovery" software from a trusted source. Make sure it is compatible with your operating system.
    2. Launch the software and select the drive or storage device from which you want to recover the files. It can be a hard drive, external drive, memory card, etc.
    3. Choose the file types you want to recover. ".DCO Recovery" software allows you to select specific file formats or scan for all types of files.
    4. Start the scanning process. The software will analyze the selected drive or storage device for recoverable files. This process may take some time depending on the size and condition of the drive.
    5. Once the scan is complete, you will see a list of recoverable files. You can preview the files to ensure their integrity and select the ones you want to recover.
    6. Choose a location to save the recovered files. It is recommended to select a different drive or storage device to avoid overwriting the lost files.
    7. Start the recovery process. The software will restore the selected files to the specified location.
    8. After the recovery is complete, check the destination folder to verify that the files have been successfully recovered.

    Note: It is important to stop using the affected drive or storage device immediately after data loss to prevent overwriting the lost files. Additionally, make sure to regularly backup your important files to avoid data loss situations in the future.

  • Are there any limitations or risks associated with using ".DCO Recovery" for file recovery?

    There are a few limitations and risks associated with using ".DCO Recovery" for file recovery:

    1. Compatibility: ".DCO Recovery" may not be compatible with all file systems or operating systems. It is primarily designed for Windows-based systems, so it may not work effectively on other platforms like macOS or Linux.
    2. Limited file formats: ".DCO Recovery" may have limitations in recovering certain file formats. While it can handle common file formats like documents, images, videos, etc., it might struggle with proprietary or less common file types.
    3. Incomplete or corrupted recovery: There is a risk that the recovered files may be incomplete or corrupted. This can occur if the original file was partially overwritten or damaged, making it difficult for the recovery software to retrieve the entire file accurately.
    4. Overwriting data: Using any file recovery software, including ".DCO Recovery," involves writing data to the storage device. This process could potentially overwrite the deleted or lost files, making them permanently unrecoverable.
    5. False positives: File recovery software may sometimes identify non-deleted files as recoverable, leading to unnecessary recovery attempts and potential confusion.
    6. Privacy and security risks: When using file recovery software, there is a risk of exposing sensitive or private data. The software scans the storage device, potentially recovering files that contain personal or confidential information, which might be a concern if not handled properly.

    To minimize these risks, it is recommended to use reputable and trusted file recovery software, regularly back up important files, and avoid using the storage device after data loss to prevent further overwriting.

Hello! This is AI-based Hetman Software virtual assistant, and it will answer any of your questions right away.
Start Chat