President's Choice Financial|security|daily banking|Helpful resources

helpful resources

Keeping your computer's software up-to-date is an important step in ensuring your online security. Below you will find links that you can use to download the latest web browsers, anti-virus software and personal firewalls.

web browsers

Online security starts with your web browser. When you access your President's Choice Financial accounts over the Internet, your browser is checked to ensure it meets our minimum security requirements. You can protect yourself online by using an up-to-date browser with the most recent security updates. To get online access, you will need a browser that uses a minimum 128-bit encryption technology. Currently, to access your President's Choice Financial online accounts, we recommend:

Microsoft Windows Vista and XP:

Firefox 3.x
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 and later

Apple MacOS 10.5 and later:

Apple Safari 4.0 and later

How do I clear my browser cache?

If you share a computer and Internet connection with someone, that other person could view your confidential financial information by hitting the “Back” button on your web browser after you have used it to bank online. You can keep your private information secure by closing your web browser after your banking session or by clearing your browser's cache. The cache maintains a copy of web pages that have been viewed recently. Follow these instructions to clear your browser's cache:

Firefox 3.0 for Windows

Choose "Options" from the "Tools" menu
Select the "Privacy" icon in the top menu
From the "Clear Private Data" section, select the "Clear Now" button
Ensure that the "Cache" option is checked and select the “Clear Private Data Now” button
Select "OK" to close the "Options" window

Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 for Windows

Choose "Internet Options" from the "Tools" menu
Select the "General" tab
From the “Browsing history” section, select the “Delete” button
From the “Temporary Internet files” section, select the “Delete files” button
Deleting cached files may take a while; when the browser is done, select "OK"

Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 for Windows

Choose "Internet Options" from the "Tools" menu
Select the "General" tab
From the “Temporary/Internet files” section, select the "Delete Files" button and then select "OK"
Deleting cached files may take a while; when the browser is done, select "OK"

Apple Safari 4.0 or later for MacOS

Choose "Empty Cache" from the “Safari” menu

How do I set my browser to accept or disable cookies?

Firefox 3.0 for Windows

Choose "Options" from the "Tools" menu
Select the "Privacy" icon in the "Options" menu
To enable cookies, check the "Accept cookies from sites" box from the "Cookies" section
To disable cookies, uncheck the "Accept cookies from sites" box from the "Cookies" section
Select "OK" to close the "Options" window

Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or later for Windows

Choose "Internet Options" from the "Tools" menu
Select the "Privacy" tab
Under "Settings," select the "Advanced" button
Make sure that "Override automatic cookie handling" is selected
To accept all cookies on CIBC.com, select the "Accept" option for first-party and third-party cookies
If you wish to disable persistent cookies, select the "Block" option for first-party and then select the checkbox for "Always allow session cookies." Session cookies must be enabled for CIBC Online Banking to function
As an alternative to completely disabling persistent cookies, you can select the "Prompt" option for first-party cookies and the checkbox for "Always allow session cookies." In this case, your browser will ask you each time whether you want to accept the persistent cookie or not
Select "OK" in “Advanced Privacy Settings”
Select "OK" in “Internet Options”

Apple Safari 4.0 or later for MacOS

Choose "Preferences" from the "Safari" menu
Select the "Security" icon from the menu
Select "Always" to accept all cookies or "Only from sites you navigate to." CIBC Online Banking will work with either option. You cannot disable cookies in Safari without disabling the session cookies required for Online Banking, so do not select "Never"
Close the “Preferences” window

Anti-virus software

Computer viruses and worms can spread quickly and wreak havoc on personal computers and corporate networks. You should always use up-to-date anti-virus software (like Norton AntiVirus™ or McAfee VirusScan™) that can scan files and e-mail messages for viruses. This can prevent your files from being corrupted or lost, as well as save you hours of frustration as you try to restore an infected computer system.

Anti-virus software will also protect you from Trojan horses. Trojan horses are typically sent to computer systems through e-mail. They are particularly dangerous because they have the potential to allow others to gain control of your computer system remotely without your knowledge or consent. These programs can capture and send sensitive information stored on your hard drive to any other person who has gained remote access to your computer.

You can download anti-virus software from the web sites below:

Norton AntiVirus

English:
http://www.norton.com/cibc1

French:
http://www.norton.com/cibc2

McAfee VirusScan

English:
http://ca.mcafee.com/root/package.asp?pkgid=276&cid=25636

French:
http://ca.mcafee.com/root/package.asp?pkgid=276&cid=35659

Online Fraud and ID Theft Protection Software

Trusteer offers an online fraud and identity theft protection software called Rapport. By installing Rapport, you are providing an extra layer of security for your computer. Rapport is available free of Charge for President’s Choice Financial personal banking customers.

Find out more about Trusteer Rapport

Personal firewalls

A firewall acts as a barrier that protects your computer or network from outside access, keeping hackers away from your personal information. You can block suspicious connections to your computer, as well as prevent confidential information from being sent without your knowledge.

You can download a personal firewall or order the software in the mail from the following web sites:

Norton Personal Firewall

English:
http://www.symantec.com/region/can/eng/product/nis/npf/

French:
http://www.symantec.com/region/can/fr/product/nis/npf/

McAfee Personal Firewall

English:
http://ca.mcafee.com/root/package.asp?pkgid=276

French:
http://fr.mcafee.com/root/package.asp?pkgid=276

In addition, Microsoft Windows XP and Macintosh OS X both include basic personal firewalls, but you must activate them to be effective.