Using Spirion to Remove Personal Information from Your Macintosh Computer | Information Technology | University of Pittsburgh
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Using Spirion to Remove Personal Information from Your Macintosh Computer

Overview

Spirion (formerly Identity Finder) is software program that helps to identify and remove personally identifiable information that may be on your computer. Spirion can search your computer for sensitive date information, such as social security numbers, passwords, credit card information, and more. You can also configure Spirion to search a particular folder on your computer or for your own personal information, such as your passport or date of birth. This document explains how to use the basic features of Spirion.

Installing Spirion

You can download Spirion from the SecureU SharePoint site. Spirion requires macOS 10.4 and higher based on Intel hardware platforms.

Download and Install Spirion

To download Spirion from the SecureU SharePoint site, complete the following steps.

  1. Click the Download Now button on the Security Downloads page.
  2. The Software Download Service interface will appear. Click on the Macintosh tab and then click the entry for Spirion.
  3. Click Download All Files on the Spirion download details page.
    Note: If you already have the Akamai Download Manager client installed on your machine, the download will begin. If the Download Manager is not installed, you will need to install it by following the instructions on screen. For more information, refer to the Using the Software Download Service help sheet at technology.pitt.edu.
  4. Launch the Spirion installer package by clicking the Open the Pitt Download link after the file has completed downloading or by double clicking the Spirion.pkg file in the location where it was saved.
    Spirion Icon
  5. Click Continue and then Install. You will be notified when the installation has been completed. Click Close.
  6. Drag the Spirion icon into the Applications folder. Once you have completed these steps, you can run Spirion at any time by selecting the Spirion icon in your Applications folder.
    Applications folder

Using Spirion

Run a Scan using Default Identity Information

  1. To launch Spirion, double-click the Spirion icon in the Applications folder.
    Note: You may see a security warning message asking if you want to open the file. Click the Open button.
    Security Warning
  2. The Spirion window will display. If you have used Spirion before, you can select the Start button to begin a search using your previously saved settings. If you are a new user, you can begin a search using the default settings. Credit Card Numbers, Passwords, and Social Security Numbers are selected by default.
    Spirion toolbar with Start Highlighted
  3. The search will begin running. Any identity matches will be listed on the left side of the window with more information on the right. You will see a search summary displaying results and a Search Completed message. It is recommended that you wait until the search is complete and then click the OK button to view the results.
    Spirion Search Results
    Note: When there are multiple matches of personal identity information within the same source file, you must select the arrow next to this location to view each individual match.
    Spirion Personal Identity Information Location

Reviewing the Results

Customize Your Search by Location

  1. Once a search has been completed, the files containing sensitive information will display in the left pane, and the sensitive information will display in the preview pane on the right side of the window. Spirion lists the location of each file.
  2. Depending on the data that was found on your computer during the scan, you will be presented with a number of options for handling the results. These options include the following:

    Option

    Description

    Spirion Secure Button

    Secure: Enables you to keep the data on your computer. Spirion will encrypt the file and secure it with a password that you will set.

    Spirion Shred Button

    Shred: Securely removes the data from your computer by overwriting the file multiple times. Once you shred a file, it cannot be recovered.

    Spirion Quarantine Button

    Quarantine: Moves the file to another location and shreds the original. If the file you are quarantining contains sensitive data, you should be sure to select a secure location in which to quarantine it (such as an encrypted drive or storage device).

    Spirion Ignore Button

    Ignore: Takes no action on the data for selected location or identity match. This option should only be used for files that do not contain any sensitive information. 
    Note: This can be used for false positive information.

  3. For each search result, highlight the identity match in the list and click one of the options listed above. For example, to permanently delete an identity match, select the match in the left pane and click Shred.
    Spirion Results with Shred Highlighted
  4. Click the Yes button to proceed with removal of the file.
    Spirion Shred File Confirmation Popup
  5. The Locations list provides you with the option of customizing the folder locations that you would like to include in your search. To configure these options, click the Locations icon and select Custom...
    Spirion Locations Drop Down with Custom Selected
  6. A window will display that allows you to view and manage the list of folders to search. Click the Browse button Mac Identity Finder screenshot 14, navigate to a folder, and select Open. The folder path will display in the Folder: field.
    Spirion Custom Folder List with Folder Highlighted
  7.  Click the Add button. The new folder location will appear in the Custom Folder List.
    Spirion Custom Folder List with Folder Locations Highlighted
  8. Click the Apply button to select and add another folder location by repeating steps 2 and 3 above. Or click OK to proceed with performing a customized search.
  9. The Locations menu allows you to select the customized folder location within which you would like to search. Click on Locations and then select Custom…This will then search within each folder included within the Custom Folder list.
    Spirion Locations Drop Down with Custom Highlighted
    Note: You can only select one location at a time to search.
  10. Click the Start button and the Spirion scan will start. A progress bar will display during the scan.
  11. A Search Summary window will display the results when the scan has been completed.