Viruses and rootkits

Computer viruses are software programs deliberately designed to interfere with computer operation, record, corrupt or delete data, or spread themselves to other computers and throughout the Internet. Viruses often slow things down and cause other problems in the process.

Basic viruses typically require unwary computer users to inadvertently share or send them. Some viruses that are more sophisticated, such as worms, can replicate and send themselves automatically to other computers by controlling other software programs, such as an email sharing application. Certain viruses, called Trojans (named after the fabled Trojan horse) can falsely appear as a beneficial program to coax users into downloading them.

A rootkit is a stealth program installed on your computer that gives a hacker full control of your system and is not detected by anti-virus software.

What we’re doing to protect you

At Vancity, our priority is to ensure we provide you with a secure means of communicating and banking with us online – with features like encryption, online authentication and personal access features, and more. We also have a Security Guarantee that covers online and debit card transactions. If you incur losses due to unauthorized online banking or debit card transaction activity, you will be reimbursed under the terms of the Account and Services Guide, as long as you fulfill all of your responsibilities under that guide.

While we can’t prevent viruses from entering your computer, we are actively informing and educating members about how to protect yourselves – including the information included in this Privacy & Security section of our website.

Top five steps you can take to protect yourself

  1. Keep your computer current with a firewall.
  2. Ensure the latest updates and industry standard antivirus tools are loaded on your computer.
  3. Stay current about , and use safe when surfing the Internet, downloading files, and opening attachments.
  4. Back up your system regularly. No computer is invulnerable from viruses, so make sure your data is backed up frequently, so you don’t lose your files if a virus takes hold.
  5. Never open an email attachment from someone you don't know, and avoid opening an email attachment from someone you know, unless you know exactly what the attachment is. The sender may be unaware that it contains a virus. Before you open the attachment, scan it with antivirus software.

 

For more information on protecting yourself from and removing viruses, visit our full section on .

 

 
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