Symantec Norton AntiVirus to be Included in All Build-to-Order CompUSA PC's

Cupertino, Calif --September 21, 1998-- Symantec Corporation (Nasdaq: SYMC), the world leader in utility software for business and personal computing, today announced that CompUSA, America's Largest Computer Superstore® RETAILER, will include Norton AntiVirus 5.0 in its complete line of CompUSA PCs. Beginning today, CompUSA will ship every CompUSA PC desktop computer with state-of-the-art virus protection via Norton AntiVirus 5.0.

"The CompUSA PC is recognized for its high performance, superior quality, maximum flexibility, and competitive price," said Rob Howe, CompUSA PC vice president. "Having Norton AntiVirus included, just adds to our superior value."

"We are pleased that CompUSA has selected Norton AntiVirus to protect its entire line of build-to-order PCs," said Enrique Salem, vice president of Symantec's Security and Assistance Business Unit. "By including virus protection from the industry leader and expert in anti-virus software, CompUSA has made its CompUSA PC line an even wiser investment choice for customers worldwide."

The build-to-order CompUSA PC series remains on the leading edge of computing technology, offering customers high flexibility through custom configuration, excellent value, and the highest "speeds and feeds" available on the market. Each CompUSA PC is custom-built according to customer specifications and offers a wide variety of component options.

Norton AntiVirus 5.0 is the latest version of Symantec's award-winning anti-virus solution. Norton AntiVirus protects Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT workstations at all virus entry points, including shared floppy disks, the Internet, e-mail attachments, and networks, and scans ZIP, LZEXE, LHA, and LHA compressed files.

In addition to providing the best detection of in-the-wild and macro viruses, Norton AntiVirus 5.0 provides users with additional protection and security via a new Scan and Deliver capability. This feature enables users to encrypt potentially infected files, e-mail them to SARC for analysis, and receive a response and/or a fix within seven days.

Version 5.0 also includes a new Quarantine option, which provides users with a safe and simple vehicle for isolating suspicious files. The Quarantine option is included in the virus alerts and in the Repair Wizard, which simplifies system cleanup after a virus infection. Quarantine moves viral files to a safe location, quarantined from the rest of the system to prevent the spread of the virus while allowing the user to fix the file.

In addition, Norton AntiVirus 5.0 features improved handling of compressed file formats, supporting formats including ZIP, LZEXE, LHA, and LZH, thereby providing international users with virus protection for regional compressed file formats and protecting Internet users from the growing threat of virus infection through compressed file e-mail attachments.

Norton AntiVirus 5.0 includes powerful technologies designed specifically to protect the computer user while they use the Internet. Norton AntiVirus 5.0 includes state-of-the-art technology that automatically blocks destructive Active X code and Java applets from entering a user's computer. And because approximately 90 percent of Trojan Horses found in circulation today are from online services, Symantec has added its new Trojan Horse detection engine to the AutoProtect feature in Norton AntiVirus 5.0 to guard users against online programs that may steal passwords or destroy data.

Norton AntiVirus 5.0 is part of Symantec's suite of multi-tier virus protection products designed to protect users at the desktop, server, groupware servers, Internet, and gateway levels. Symantec's Norton AntiVirus products have received numerous awards since January 1998, including PC Magazine's Editor's Choice in 1998 for Best AntiVirus Utility for the third year in a row, as well as the magazine's 1997 Best AntiVirus Utility award, PC World's Best Buy, and PC Computing's A-List.

About CompUSA PC
CompUSA, Inc. is one of the nation's leading retailers and resellers of personal computers and related products and services. The company currently operates more than 200 CompUSA Computer Superstores in 68 major metropolitan markets across the United States, and seven Computer City Supercenters® in Canada which serve retail, corporate, government, and education customers and include technical service departments and classroom training facilities. CompUSA also offers its own build-to-order personal computer series, the CompUSA PC(tm), and operates an Internet web site located at http://www.compusa.com.

About Symantec
Symantec is the world leader in utility software for business and personal computing. Symantec products and solutions help make users productive and keep their computers safe and reliable anywhere and anytime. Symantec offers a broad range of solutions and is acclaimed as a leader in both customer satisfaction and product brand recognition. Symantec is traded on Nasdaq under the symbol SYMC. More information on the company and its products can be obtained at www.symantec.com.

NOTE TO EDITORS: If you would like additional information on Symantec Corporation and its products, view the Symantec Press Center at www.symantec.com/PressCenter/ on Symantec's Website.

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