Security Standards for Social Security/Credit Card Numbers
Concerns on Social Security and/or Credit Card Numbers
Revised 10/22/2010
There is a growing security concern with Social Security and/or credit card numbers within unprotected files. Any computer with files which are not password protected and containing Social Security and/or credit card numbers is considered a security risk.
Please see the following web link to obtain Virginia Tech’s program to find Social Security and/or credit card numbers. http://www.security.vt.edu/Find_SSNs/index.html
To help you identify computers which may have a Social Security and/or credit card security issues; please follow the procedure below to determine if your computer is a security risk. If you determine your computer is at risk, please take steps to protect any files that prove to contain confidential data. Steps to protect sensitive data may include encrypting files, moving files to offline storage, or deleting files.
- For Microsoft Windows based computers please see ‘Scanning for SSN and CC Windows’ web link.
- For MAC and Linux based computers please see ‘Scanning for SSN and CC MAC/Linux’ web link
Notes:
- Running a scanning application maybe time consuming; please consider running the application overnight.
- For additional documentation on VT's SSN via Ohio State, see web link Using and Installing Virginia Tech's Find_SSN
- For an alternative software application try Cornell University’s Spider -
http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/security/tools/spider-windows.html - Note: Install the latest version of Microsoft .Net Framework.
Please see the following web links for information on Virginia Tech’s policies and standards.
- Regarding Social Security numbers:
- Regarding protecting sensitive information
- Acceptable Use Guidelines
- IT Security Policies and Standards