---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If the virus that infected your computer…"
description: "\"“If the virus that infected your computer deleted one or more of your files, and you don’t have copies of those files elsewhere, they may be irretrieva..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/066/peter-h-gregory-29447_computers_if-the-virus-that-infected-your-computer_1737687.jpg"
---

#  If the virus that infected your computer deleted one or…

![“If the virus that infected your computer deleted one or more of your files, and you don’t have copies of those files elsewhere, they may be irretrievably gone” quote by Peter H. Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/066/peter-h-gregory-29447_computers_if-the-virus-that-infected-your-computer_1737687.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/066/peter-h-gregory-29447_computers_if-the-virus-that-infected-your-computer_1737687.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/066/peter-h-gregory-29447_computers_if-the-virus-that-infected-your-computer_1737687.jpg)

> ““If the virus that infected your computer deleted one or more of your files, and you don’t have copies of those files elsewhere, they may be irretrievably gone””

[Peter H. Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-gregory/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Losing files without backups can be permanent, emphasizing the need for regular data protection measures.

**In simple terms:** Files are gone forever without backups.

Key Takeaway

Back up your data regularly.

Themes

data loss backup digital safety

Mood

anxious pragmatic

Type

advisory warning

When to use this quote

- personal computers
- business servers
- cloud storage
- portable devices

Key Concepts

risk management information security disaster recovery

Questions to Reflect On

- Do you have a reliable backup routine?
- What data would be most damaging to lose?

A Different Perspective

Backups can be costly and time‑consuming to maintain.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Computer Deleted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computer-deleted-1491056/) [Computers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/) [Deleted Files](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deleted-files-1491054/) [Files Irretrievably](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/files-irretrievably-1491055/) [Infected Computer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/infected-computer-1491053/) [Virus Infected](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virus-infected-1491057/)

## Related quotes

> [I don't understand why we're all connected wirelessly via a little machine that goes in our pocket, to everybody in the world, and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-m-chu/i-don-t-understand-why-we-re-all-connected-wirelessly-via-a-little/)

[Jon M. Chu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-m-chu/)

> [“According to this model, human beings are, at least in one aspect, sensation-receiving machines; and although our receptory apparatus is competent to select and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cruce-stark/according-to-this-model-human-beings-are-at-least-in-one-aspect/)

[Cruce Stark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cruce-stark/)

> [Can you imagine any better example of divine creative accomplishment that the consummate flying machine that is a bird? The skeleton, very flexible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-murchie/can-you-imagine-any-better-example-of-divine-creative-accomplishment/)

[Guy Murchie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-murchie/)

> [Computers can be taught that certain tune or certain chords changes will sound pleasant together, but I don't think it's going to reach a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonobo/computers-can-be-taught-that-certain-tune-or-certain-chords-changes/)

[Bonobo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonobo/)

> [“Alan Turing proposed the Turing Test: a computer is intelligent if you can't tell it from a human when you talk with it. No…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cjs-hayward/alan-turing-proposed-the-turing-test-a-computer-is-intelligent-if-you/)

[CJS Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cjs-hayward/)

> [The popular mind often pictures gigantic flying machines speeding across the Atlantic carrying innumerable passengers in a way analogous to our modern steam ships.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-henry-pickering/the-popular-mind-often-pictures-gigantic-flying-machines-speeding/)

[William Henry Pickering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-henry-pickering/)

> [The display is the computer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hsun-huang/the-display-is-the-computer/)

[Jen-Hsun Huang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hsun-huang/)

> [The corporate state is an immensely powerful machine, ordered, legalistic, rational, yet utterly out of human control, wholly and perfectly indifferent to any human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-a-reich/the-corporate-state-is-an-immensely-powerful-machine-ordered/)

[Charles A. Reich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-a-reich/)

> [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/)

[Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/)

> [“You weren't born to be a cog in the giant industrial machine. You were trained to become a cog. There's an alternative available to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/you-weren-t-born-to-be-a-cog-in-the-giant-industrial-machine-you-were/)

[Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/)

> [“Note found in the patron suggestion box: "You have SIGNS up near the computers that say BE QUIET, but people don't be quiet. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-sheridan/note-found-in-the-patron-suggestion-box-you-have-signs-up-near-the/)

[Gina Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-sheridan/)

> [Issac:"I dislike living in a world without Augustus Waters." Computer: "I don't understand-" Issac: "Me neither. Pause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/issac-i-dislike-living-in-a-world-without-augustus-waters-computer-i/)

[John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/)

> [The time that one gains cannot be accumulated in a storehouse; it is contradictory to want to save up existence, which, the fact is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-de-beauvoir/the-time-that-one-gains-cannot-be-accumulated-in-a-storehouse-it-is/)

[Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-de-beauvoir/)

> [“Probably it goes without saying, but time machine guys don't get a lot of action. Had a one night stand with something cute a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-yu/probably-it-goes-without-saying-but-time-machine-guys-don-t-get-a-lot/)

[Charles Yu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-yu/)

> [As in any machine, all the wires must be connected to the mains through one main wire. In the same way, you all must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nirmala-srivastava/as-in-any-machine-all-the-wires-must-be-connected-to-the-mains/)

[Nirmala Srivastava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nirmala-srivastava/)

## More by Peter H. Gregory

> [“The people who wrote viruses knew they had to stay one step ahead; they developed ways to make their viruses more difficult to detect.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-gregory/the-people-who-wrote-viruses-knew-they-had-to-stay-one-step-ahead/)

[Peter H. Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-gregory/)

> [“virus writers lack the basic social and moral values and the “well-formed consciousness” that are the hallmarks of civilized modern societies.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-gregory/virus-writers-lack-the-basic-social-and-moral-values-and-the-well/)

[Peter H. Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-gregory/)

> [“if there’s any software you need to be comfortable with, it’s your antivirus software. It’s a lot like automobile tires or insurance: Reliability and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-gregory/if-there-s-any-software-you-need-to-be-comfortable-with-it-s-your/)

[Peter H. Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-gregory/)

> [“Viruses don’t just happen; people write them deliberately.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-gregory/viruses-don-t-just-happen-people-write-them-deliberately/)

[Peter H. Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-gregory/)

> [“It’s more important to install your antivirus software correctly than quickly”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-gregory/it-s-more-important-to-install-your-antivirus-software-correctly-than/)

[Peter H. Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-gregory/)

> [“data files aren’t executable, and viruses have to be executed. It’s safest to say that viruses hide only in executable program files.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-gregory/data-files-aren-t-executable-and-viruses-have-to-be-executed-it-s/)

[Peter H. Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-gregory/)

> [“The antivirus program will not wake up your computer if it isn’t running — but if it’s already running, then it doesn’t need to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-gregory/the-antivirus-program-will-not-wake-up-your-computer-if-it-isn-t/)

[Peter H. Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-gregory/)

> [“Virus writers are, sociologically, not much different from taggers who spray cryptic symbols on walls, or even the “unofficial” graffiti artists: they feel (or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-gregory/virus-writers-are-sociologically-not-much-different-from-taggers-who/)

[Peter H. Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-gregory/)

> [“No legitimate corporations will ask you to send them sensitive information via e-mail.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-gregory/no-legitimate-corporations-will-ask-you-to-send-them-sensitive/)

[Peter H. Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-gregory/)

> [“Check, double-check, and triple-check that you’re deleting the correct branch! This is very dangerous territory!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-gregory/check-double-check-and-triple-check-that-you-re-deleting-the-correct/)

[Peter H. Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-gregory/)

> [“The Registry is a special database in the computer that contains a multitude (literally thousands) of configuration settings used by Windows and many of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-gregory/the-registry-is-a-special-database-in-the-computer-that-contains-a/)

[Peter H. Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-gregory/)

> [“Buying antivirus software is like buying insurance: It’s important to make a good choice now just in case you need the assistance later.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-gregory/buying-antivirus-software-is-like-buying-insurance-it-s-important-to/)

[Peter H. Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-gregory/)

> [“Be careful, and go slowly. Computers are intolerant of mistakes; they do just what you tell them to do, not what you meant for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-gregory/be-careful-and-go-slowly-computers-are-intolerant-of-mistakes-they-do/)

[Peter H. Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-gregory/)

> [“the older versions of Windows that —rumor has it — are equipped with the fabled “time to crash!” feature.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-gregory/the-older-versions-of-windows-that-rumor-has-it-are-equipped-with-the/)

[Peter H. Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-gregory/)

> [“A “better” biological virus — like a computer virus — will perhaps just make its host sick, but still well enough to keep spreading the virus”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-gregory/a-better-biological-virus-like-a-computer-virus-will-perhaps-just/)

[Peter H. Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-gregory/)

[Explore all 18 Peter H. Gregory quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-gregory/)

## More Computers quotes

> [I don't understand why we're all connected wirelessly via a little machine that goes in our pocket, to everybody in the world, and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-m-chu/i-don-t-understand-why-we-re-all-connected-wirelessly-via-a-little/)

[Jon M. Chu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-m-chu/)

> [“Probably it goes without saying, but time machine guys don't get a lot of action. Had a one night stand with something cute a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-yu/probably-it-goes-without-saying-but-time-machine-guys-don-t-get-a-lot/)

[Charles Yu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-yu/)

> [The time that one gains cannot be accumulated in a storehouse; it is contradictory to want to save up existence, which, the fact is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-de-beauvoir/the-time-that-one-gains-cannot-be-accumulated-in-a-storehouse-it-is/)

[Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-de-beauvoir/)

> [Issac:"I dislike living in a world without Augustus Waters." Computer: "I don't understand-" Issac: "Me neither. Pause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/issac-i-dislike-living-in-a-world-without-augustus-waters-computer-i/)

[John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/)

> [“Note found in the patron suggestion box: "You have SIGNS up near the computers that say BE QUIET, but people don't be quiet. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-sheridan/note-found-in-the-patron-suggestion-box-you-have-signs-up-near-the/)

[Gina Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-sheridan/)

> [“You weren't born to be a cog in the giant industrial machine. You were trained to become a cog. There's an alternative available to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/you-weren-t-born-to-be-a-cog-in-the-giant-industrial-machine-you-were/)

[Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/)

> [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/)

[Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/)

> [The corporate state is an immensely powerful machine, ordered, legalistic, rational, yet utterly out of human control, wholly and perfectly indifferent to any human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-a-reich/the-corporate-state-is-an-immensely-powerful-machine-ordered/)

[Charles A. Reich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-a-reich/)

> [The display is the computer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hsun-huang/the-display-is-the-computer/)

[Jen-Hsun Huang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hsun-huang/)

> [The popular mind often pictures gigantic flying machines speeding across the Atlantic carrying innumerable passengers in a way analogous to our modern steam ships.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-henry-pickering/the-popular-mind-often-pictures-gigantic-flying-machines-speeding/)

[William Henry Pickering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-henry-pickering/)

> [“Alan Turing proposed the Turing Test: a computer is intelligent if you can't tell it from a human when you talk with it. No…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cjs-hayward/alan-turing-proposed-the-turing-test-a-computer-is-intelligent-if-you/)

[CJS Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cjs-hayward/)

> [Computers can be taught that certain tune or certain chords changes will sound pleasant together, but I don't think it's going to reach a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonobo/computers-can-be-taught-that-certain-tune-or-certain-chords-changes/)

[Bonobo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonobo/)

> [Can you imagine any better example of divine creative accomplishment that the consummate flying machine that is a bird? The skeleton, very flexible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-murchie/can-you-imagine-any-better-example-of-divine-creative-accomplishment/)

[Guy Murchie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-murchie/)

> [“According to this model, human beings are, at least in one aspect, sensation-receiving machines; and although our receptory apparatus is competent to select and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cruce-stark/according-to-this-model-human-beings-are-at-least-in-one-aspect/)

[Cruce Stark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cruce-stark/)

> [As in any machine, all the wires must be connected to the mains through one main wire. In the same way, you all must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nirmala-srivastava/as-in-any-machine-all-the-wires-must-be-connected-to-the-mains/)

[Nirmala Srivastava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nirmala-srivastava/)

[Browse all 9,389 Computers quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“If the virus that infected your computer deleted one or more of your files, and you don’t have copies of those files elsewhere, they may be irretrievably gone”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Peter H. Gregory"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-gregory/if-the-virus-that-infected-your-computer-deleted-one-or-more-of-your/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Computers"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-gregory/if-the-virus-that-infected-your-computer-deleted-one-or-more-of-your/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/066/peter-h-gregory-29447_computers_if-the-virus-that-infected-your-computer_1737687.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/066/peter-h-gregory-29447_computers_if-the-virus-that-infected-your-computer_1737687.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/066/peter-h-gregory-29447_computers_if-the-virus-that-infected-your-computer_1737687.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“If the virus that infected your computer deleted one or more of your files, and you don’t have copies of…” — Peter H. Gregory",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Peter H. Gregory",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-gregory/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“If the virus that infected your...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-gregory/if-the-virus-that-infected-your-computer-deleted-one-or-more-of-your/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-gregory/if-the-virus-that-infected-your-computer-deleted-one-or-more-of-your/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
