Identity Finder Instructions

SSN and Sensitive Data Scanning and Remediation

University policy requires that all sensitive data on personal computers be securely encrypted or deleted immediately. To assist you on your Windows or Mac installation, the utility Identity Finder can be found below. It will identify potential bank account, credit card, and social security numbers for you to review. Each document flagged must be:

Verified as containing a false positive not needing action, or else
Dealt with: you can delete the number from the document, shred the document entirely (electronic shredding), or in some cases encrypt it with a password.

It is absolutely critical that all faculty and staff at the university scan their computers, external hard drives, etc. as soon as possible.

Download Instructions and Software

For Windows Computers:	For Mac Computers
1. Download Instructions	1. Download Instructions
2. Download Identity Finder*	2. Download Identity Finder*

* NOTE: download and licensing of Identity Finder is handled through UVA Research Computing, not the school directly. This is a University-wide software license. You will be asked to provide your login (email) ID and register a license for this software. Look for the Login link on the download page linked above to login and download Identity Finder.

Further Information and Instructions

Note that searching your hard drive can take 1/2 hour or longer. You can do other work while its running. If you plug in external drives (including flash drives) they will be searched too.

In addition to your laptop / desktop computer, it is also your responsibility to scan and handle any other data locations including:

External hard drives
Flash drives
Network locations such as Gaudi home directory, ITC home directory, any other you may use.

Also consider any CD's DVD's or any removable media that may contain sensitive data. These should be identified and stored in a locked down location.

Security Information, Policies and Links

UVa Identity Finder Documentation
http://www.itc.virginia.edu/security/identityfinder/users.html

The policies for sensitive data can be found at:
SSN http://www.virginia.edu/ssninitiative/policies.html
Records Retention http://www.virginia.edu/finance/polproc/pol/iic1.html