Philosophy Security Incident (no SSN)
The University of Iowa Department of Philosophy has recently learned that a laptop computer owned by a former teaching assistant now living in Arizona, was stolen over the September 15 weekend in a break-in at his home. The hard drive on this computer contained the names, ID numbers, and class records such as attendance, test scores, and grades of 184 students. Social security numbers were also present in 100 of the student files. If you are visiting this page as directed by a letter sent to you from the University of Iowa Philosophy Department, your social security number WAS NOT present on the laptop. This information did not include birth date or any financial information such as credit card numbers. The students who were affected are being contacted directly. Appropriate law enforcement officials are working on this case and they believe it is unlikely that the thieves targeted the laptop because of the data it contained. There is currently no evidence that data from the laptop has been misused in any way.
For a copy of the letter that was sent to the students click here.
Below are answers to some questions Philosophy students may have in light of the incident. If you have further questions, please send an email to david-stern@uiowa.edu.
- Whose information specifically was on the computer?
- Was my social security number present on the laptop?
- What is the risk if my University ID was my identification on the stolen laptop?
- If my information was on the laptop, does this mean that I'm a victim of identity theft?
- Will the University of Iowa contact me to ask for private information because of this event?
- What steps are you taking to improve the security of personal information on campus computers?
Q: Whose information specifically was on the computer?
A: Students affected were in sections of “Philosophy and Human Nature,” “Philosophy and the Just Society,” and “Principles of Reasoning ” taught by former UI teaching assistant Tuomas Manninen between 2002 and 2006.
Q. Was my social security number present on the laptop?
A. Approximately 100 students’ social security numbers were present on the laptop. If you are visiting this page as directed by a letter sent to you from the University of Iowa Philosophy Department, your social security number WAS NOT present on the laptop.
Q. What is the risk if my University ID was my identification on the stolen laptop?
A. The notification letter is to inform you that your personal grade information was exposed because of the theft. We do not believe there is any personal risk associated with this exposure.
Q. If my information was on the laptop, does this mean that I'm a victim of identity theft?
A. No. Even if someone had retrieved your information, it doesn't mean you are a victim of identity theft or that the person intended to use the information to commit fraud. As was stated above, there is no evidence that the thieves targeted the laptop to gain this personal information, nor is there any evidence that it has been misused. However, we feel it is important that affected students be notified.
Q. Will the University of Iowa contact me to ask for private information because of this event?
A. In similar cases at other institutions, people have reportedly been contacted by individuals claiming to represent the University and who then proceed to ask for personal information, including social security numbers and/or credit card information. Please be aware that the University of Iowa will not contact you directly with information regarding steps you should take to prevent possible fraud or identity theft; nor will the University ask for your full Social Security Number, University ID number, or Credit Card or Bank Account Number if you contact us, by email or telephone, for information. We recommend that you do not release personal information in response to any contacts of this nature that you have not initiated.
Q. What steps is The University of Iowa taking to improve the security of personal information on campus computers?
A. We are also evaluating our policies and procedures to ensure protection of student information. In particular, we are working to strengthen the use of password protection on laptops and files.
