SQLite3 "Database disk image is malformed"

I know that this issue has nothing to do with direct Java coding, but i am taking a shot in the dark here and hope that someone will know what I can do.

For my java program, I am using an sqlite3 database to store my information. During the past 2 months or so, it has performed magically. I just inserted an update command; "

sqlite> update virtual_accounts set description = 'Lunch Funds', balance = '200', note = 'success' where unid = 'v-101';"

This command was completed succesfully. Now, every time I try to select documents from a differant table

"Select * from transact;"

i get a "database disk image is malformed". the only changes made to that table have been made through my java database controller methods, the same that I have used for the past months without an issue. Does anyone know what happened and how I can prevent such a major headache later on, esp when I the program is not in development and in the hands of an end-user?

Thanks

Greg

Taking scheduled backups can prevent such accidents.

Taking scheduled backups can just prevent major data loss when the issue sufaces, but has nothing to do with preventing this from happening again. My main issue is that I have no idea how this happened and it makes me question the qualitly of sqlite.