PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing.

PCMag UK

Data Discover 7.5

Neil J. Rubenking
 & Neil J. Rubenking Principal Writer, Security

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

Our Expert
LOOK INSIDE PC LABS HOW WE TEST
65 EXPERTS
43 YEARS
41,500+ REVIEWS
The powerful and comprehensive search algorithms in Data Discover 7.5 will locate every bit of personal information that's exposed on your computer, and the program offers a wide variety of ways to secure that information against an info-stealing Trojan or laptop thief. It's a real gem. - Security
5.0 Exemplary

The Bottom Line

The powerful and comprehensive search algorithms in Data Discover 7.5 will locate every bit of personal information that's exposed on your computer, and the program offers a wide variety of ways to secure that information against an info-stealing Trojan or laptop thief. It's a real gem.

Pros & Cons

    • Detects files and other locations containing personally identifiable information.
    • Can also scan for user-specified data.
    • Shreds, encrypts, and redacts identity data.
    • Wizard-driven.
    • Can scan remote computers and cloud folders.
    • Option to redact personal information is limited to text files and Microsoft Office documents.

What if an info-stealing Trojan attacked your computer...and couldn't find any info to steal? For $19.95 per year, Identity Finder's Data Discover 7.5 will ensure that your personal data isn't exposed to malware, and that a thief who steals your laptop won't also get your personal data. It ferrets out every piece of personal information and gives you a wide variety of options to secure each one.

During the installation process you'll create a password to protect your Data Discover profile. Make it a strong one, since anybody who manages to run Data Discover could gain access to your personal information.

View All 20 Photos in Gallery

Final Thoughts

The powerful and comprehensive search algorithms in Data Discover 7.5 will locate every bit of personal information that's exposed on your computer, and the program offers a wide variety of ways to secure that information against an info-stealing Trojan or laptop thief. It's a real gem. - Security

Data Discover 7.5

5.0 Exemplary

The powerful and comprehensive search algorithms in Data Discover 7.5 will locate every bit of personal information that's exposed on your computer, and the program offers a wide variety of ways to secure that information against an info-stealing Trojan or laptop thief. It's a real gem.

About Our Expert

Neil J. Rubenking

Neil J. Rubenking

Principal Writer, Security

My Experience

When the IBM PC was new, I served as the president of the San Francisco PC User Group for three years. That’s how I met PCMag’s editorial team, who brought me on board in 1986. In the years since that fateful meeting, I’ve become PCMag’s expert on security, privacy, and identity protection, putting antivirus tools, security suites, and all kinds of security software through their paces.

Before my current security gig, I supplied PCMag readers with tips and solutions on using popular applications, operating systems, and programming languages in my "User to User" and "Ask Neil" columns, which began in 1990 and ran for almost 20 years. Along the way, I wrote more than 40 utility articles, as well as Delphi Programming for Dummies and six other books covering DOS, Windows, and programming. I also reviewed thousands of products of all kinds, ranging from early Sierra Online adventure games to AOL’s precursor Q-Link.

In the early 2000s, I turned my focus to security and the growing antivirus industry. After years of working with antivirus, I’m known throughout the security industry as an expert on evaluating antivirus tools. I serve as an advisory board member for the Anti-Malware Testing Standards Organization (AMTSO), an international nonprofit group dedicated to coordinating and improving testing of anti-malware solutions.

The Technology I Use

Much of the testing I do, particularly testing with real-world ransomware, is just plain dangerous. To perform such tests safely, I sequester them inside virtual machines managed by VMWare Workstation. For cross-platform testing, I use a MacBook Air, a Google Pixel 4, and a 6th-generation iPad.

I rely on my Delphi coding skills to create and maintain small applications. These include programs to check whether an antivirus correctly handled the malware it detected, launch dangerous URLs and record the security program’s reaction, and analyze the malware that I collect for use in testing. I also wrote a tiny browser and text editor for use in testing security apps that have predefined reactions for known products.

I do my writing and research on a Dell OptiPlex desktop, relying on Microsoft Word (my fingers know all the shortcuts). Many of my articles include charts and analysis; Excel is my go-to for those. When work hours end, though, I escape the bounds of Microsoft and Windows. There’s an iPhone in my pocket, I relax with my oversized iPad, and my Kindle Oasis is always loaded with the best science fiction and fantasy.

Read the latest from Neil J. Rubenking

Read full bio