Got restricted data? Find it, delete it, and protect it with free security tools
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
UW-Madison provides free tools that enable you to find sensitive data stored on your computer, encrypt your hard drive, and guard against unauthorized access to your computer. Consult with your local IT support staff about installing and using these tools to keep your computing safe for everyone.
Find it!
Without knowing it, many computer users carry around sensitive and restricted data, such as Social Security numbers, credit card account information, research data, and more. Instructors might forget they are storing grade reports from many semesters in the past, for example.
Free software called Identity Finder enables you to scan your computers to locate sensitive data. Once you find the data, you can delete it. Identity Finder will soon be available for free download.
Delete it!
If you don't really need to store restricted data on your computer, get rid of it. That eliminates the risk of data exposure in the event of theft, human error or hacking. UW's Office of Campus Information Security (OCIS) has free data sanitizer tools to make the delete job easy. For the facts on restricted data, see www.cio.wisc.edu/security/initiatives/restricted.aspx
Protect it!
If you absolutely must store restricted data on your computer, you have two important protections against unauthorized access to and use of that data:
Encryption - UW-Madison is offering a limited number of free licenses of McAfee Endpoint Encryption software for Windows-based computers. Use Endpoint to encrypt your hard drive so no one can read it if your computer is lost or stolen. This software can be used to protect laptops, desktops, USB flash drives, and other storage devices. To obtain Endpoint, ask your local IT support person to email amonette@wisc.edu or pruss@doit.wisc.edu at DoIT.
Firewalls - A firewall is a gatekeeper that filters information coming into your computer or network. If the firewall flags incoming information (such as login attempts) as unauthorized or suspicious, it will deny access. Mac and Windows computers provide built-in firewalls. Make sure yours is enabled.
UW-Madison also offers a centralized firewall service that protects local-area networks by enabling administrators to place controls on incoming and outgoing network traffic. Authorized local IT support staff can control and manage their own firewalls.
For collaborative and centrally managed campus workgroups, this firewall protection is included as a standard network service and supported 24 x 7. Your local IT support person can request that service, and the firewall protection it provides, by going to kb.wisc.edu/helpdesk/page.php?id=9
For more information, see the OCIS site at www.cio.wisc.edu/security/tools.aspx