Identifying Existing Social Security Numbers (Windows XP)

dentifying ExistUse Eraser to permanently delete your files. Eraser allows you to erase sensitive data from your hard drive by repeatedly 'overwriting' it. 

Why use Eraser after you have deleted your files anyway?
When you 'delete' a file, it is not permanently deleted as you would think. When you delete a file, the operating system does not remove the file from the disk completely, and it may be possible to recover it. Eraser wipes the file from the hard drive by 'overwriting' it several times.

These instructions are for Windows XP users. Windows Vista users should click here.(instructions for Mac users are coming soon).

To identify existing social security numbers on your computer, download and use the 'Find_SSN' software tool. Please make sure you are using the latest version of the Internet Explorer browser (version 7).

Print these instructions before you begin. The entire process will take approximately 2 hours depending on the number of files found on your computer containing social security numbers.

NOTE: We recommend that you do not use your computer while downloading and installing Find_SSN).  

Instructions for downloading Find_SSN

1. Click on the GUShare link below:

https://www4.georgetown.edu/uis/hoyacomputing/software/public/index.cfm?go=view&softwareID=351

(If you have access issues, please contact the UIS helpdesk) 

 

2. Click Download for Free.

 

3. Save the file to your computer

NOTE: make sure you remember the location you saved the file. We recommend you save the file to your desktop.

 

Instructions for using Find_SSN 

1. Double click the Find_SSN.exe icon and click Run.

 

 

2. When the Browse For Folder window opens, click on My Computer and navigate to your C:\Drive. Click OK.

3. You must make a New Folder to store your result report.  The best place for this is on your Desktop. 

Click on the Desktop folder, and click the Make New Folder button.  Name the folder SSNs Scan Results and select it as the destination for the report.

Click OK.

 

 

4. The scan will take approximately 1 hour depending on the number of files you have with social security numbers.

Click OK in the Find_SSNs - Please Be Patient window.

 

5. When the Find_SSNs - Continue window appears, click Yes.

 

When the procedure is complete, you will receive the following message (during this time your screen may go blank, do not worry).

6. Click OK in the Find_SSNs - Finished window.

 

Performing this scan prior to our visit, will speed the scan process for you.

NOTE: You can continue to use your computer while using FIND_SSN.

 

Check Find_SSNs.html report for files that may contain Social Security numbers.

This procedure can take up to an 1 hour, depending on the number of files found that may contain social security numbers.

The Find_SSNs.html document is a list of files that the software recognized as containing either SSNs or a string of numbers. You must locate each item listed and decide whether to delete or keep the files.

1. Open the Find_SSNs.html file (it is located in the SSN Scan Results folder on your desktop). 

2. Open each file listed (their exact location is given in the report e.g.

C:\dell\drivers\R41703\README.HTM ).

3. Decide whether or not you need to save the file to your EFS sace or delete it.

For instructions on how to save files to the EFS network space, click here.

NOTE: You should not delete or save all the files that were found without first opening and checking their content. Remember, if you have any further questions, our technicians will review the report with you to hep determine what data you should or should not keep or delete the data.  

Please Read

It is very important that you use the FIND SSNs tool to find the files that contain social security numbers. Make sure prior to deleting your files that you no longer need them. If in any doubt, save them to your Phoenix EFS space. Do not delete them. UIS can not retrieve deleted files nor is it responsible for deleted files. Remember, if you have any further questions, our technicians will review the report with you to determine what data should be kept  or deleted.