My fathers emails were deleted for no reason, and I think it’s Torrent.

Understanding Unexplained Email Data Loss: A Detailed Exploration of Potential Causes and Preventive Measures

Introduction

In today’s digital age, email remains a critical communication tool both personally and professionally. Unexpected loss or deletion of important emails can cause significant concern and confusion. A recent case highlights the complex nature of such issues, underscoring the importance of understanding potential causes, especially in environments with multiple users and varying software usage. This article aims to analyze the possible reasons behind unexplained email deletions, explore associated factors, and suggest best practices to safeguard data integrity.

Scenario Overview

The case involves a user whose father noticed that several important emails disappeared from his Gmail account. The father accused the user and their partner of downloading malicious files while installing Minecraft mods, which were obtained from trusted sources like CurseForge. Despite assurances of safe practices, the emails remain missing, and no clear reason has been identified.

Key Details and Context

Software and File Usage:
Minecraft Launcher (official, purchased)
TLauncher (legacy software)
CurseForge (trusted mod platform)
Genshin Impact (official download from Hoyoverse)
Strinova (official website download)
ROBLOX (official site)
Discord
Opera Browser (installation unknown to the user)
Pirated OMORI (from a trusted source, downloaded 2.5 years ago)
Recent Restrictions:
The father has prohibited further game installations, citing concerns about unsafe sites.
Issue Specifics:
Missing emails only in Gmail, not synced or missing on the mobile device
No other user accessed Gmail except the user’s boyfriend briefly
The father’s work emails are stored in Microsoft Outlook, which also exhibits issues such as missing files and error messages related to missing executable files (.exe)

Analysis of Potential Causes

Human Error (Accidental Deletion)

While possible, accidental deletion by family members or previous users is unlikely if appropriate access controls and awareness are in place. Given the lack of evidence, this seems less probable.

Hardware or System Malfunctions

Old hardware and recurring crashes suggest underlying system instability. File corruption during abrupt shutdowns or hardware failures, such as faulty RAM modules, could impair data integrity, potentially affecting email synchronization or storage, especially if stored locally.