Among other information, the server at the Kuskokwim Campus contained two files with nearly 39,000 names, e-mail addresses and Social Security numbers of current and former UA and UAF staff, faculty and students.

The server was used for routine business at the campus.

The data in one of the files included information on people who were issued UAF or UA e-mail accounts since at least 1995. The other file was smaller and contained user IDs and passwords for Bethel students and employees. Other personal information was not on the server, according to the university.

Break-ins to the server apparently started in February 2005.

A computer technician at the Kuskokwim Campus first noticed an anomaly on the server March 30. The technician alerted the main campus and the university assigned a technician to the problem April 3.

Technicians identified a possible security issue April 5 and a day later discovered an unauthorized program running on the server, which was shut down.

The university said it has received no reports of identity theft associated with the incident.

Officials said they plan to contact people whose information could have been compromised.

However, police and UAF officials warned that publicity surrounding computer breaches may result in additional efforts to obtain sensitive personal information.

Other than a letter being e-mailed today and going out by regular mail Monday, the university will not initiate any contact about the breach and will not ask for confirmation of any information, such as addresses or Social Security numbers, officials said.