Free software finds, protects students' personal data

Starting this fall, UC Davis students can have a free copy of Identity Finder Home Edition to help them find and protect personal identity data stored in their computers.

Protecting or removing personal information stored in computers discourages identity theft. But finding Social Security numbers, bank records and other sensitive data can be tricky, especially when the information is buried in forgotten files or old emails. Identity Finder searches for you.

Copies of the software usually cost $50, but are free to students thanks to a new campus partnership with Identity Finder LLC. To learn more, go to http://software.ucdavis.edu, then click on "Security Tools," and then click on "Identity Finder for Students." (Only students will be able to view the page.)

UC Davis already licenses the company's identity search software for technical staff to use with faculty and staff computers. The free software offer is an example of the campus's effort, despite the budget, to work with outside partners to help students.