Accessing the LDAP server would reveal, among other things, dorm addresses, student ID numbers, personal s-mail addresses and student-away messages and the dates they would be posted.

The student, Dan Li, set up a that let visitors access that data for specific Princeton students based on their Princeton e-mail addresses. But he has disabled the search, saying that he had accomplished his goal of raising awareness about the situation.

The university's Web site used to include specific instructions how to access the data, but since Li's awareness campaign, has removed it, replacing it with a warning.

"Unix access to Princeton University's electronic directory information is provided solely for the systems and business use of the University community," the site says now. "Those attempting to reach a specific individual should use standard search mechanisms through the University's home page (www.princeton.edu). Any frivolous or unauthorized use of the information available via this directory search is forbidden. Any solicitation of business, information, contributions or other response from individuals listed in this directory by mail, e-mail, telephone or other means is forbidden. This directory cannot be duplicated, sold or distributed in any manner without explicit permission from Princeton's Office of the President."

Li says on his Web page that students can get more information than people accessing from outside the university, but it is still worrying that non-Princeton visitors could get as much as he did.