Norton AntiVirus for OS/2 Detects, Eliminates Virus Threats on OS/2 Workstations

Symantec Delivers on Commitment to Protect OS/2 Customers with Automatic, Comprehensive Anti-Virus Solution

CUPERTINO, Calif. - February 9, 1999 - Symantec Corporation (Nasdaq: SYMC), the world leader in utility software for business and personal computing, today announced the release of Norton AntiVirus for OS/2, the only anti-virus solution for OS/2 recommended and marketed by IBM. Norton AntiVirus for OS/2 is currently available on the Norton AntiVirus Solution CD 3.03.

"With the release of Norton AntiVirus for OS/2, Symantec is delivering on its commitment to provide OS/2 customers, many of whom are in the banking and insurance industries, with the best anti-virus solution to protect their mission-critical data," said Enrique Salem, vice president of Symantec's Security and Assistance Business Unit.

While there are very few viruses written specifically for OS/2, customers need to be aware of the potential threat of passing files from an OS/2 environment to Windows or across other environments without scanning first for viruses. It is possible that these files could contain a virus which might cause harm on another platform. However, with Norton AntiVirus, this threat can be eliminated.

Automatic Protection for OS/2 Users
Norton AntiVirus for OS/2 includes Symantec's revolutionary heuristic technology called Bloodhound, which provides the best protection available against new and unknown viruses. Bloodhound stops viral files before they can enter a system and cause harm. Symantec's AutoProtect feature, included in Norton AntiVirus for OS/2, monitors a system in the background using real-time scanning in DOS and Win-OS/2 sessions from OS/2, thereby minimizing interruptions and increasing user productivity.

Norton AntiVirus for OS/2 also features LiveUpdate, which looks for virus definition updates at system boot from a central location on the server and automatically downloads and installs the latest definitions onto the user's system. Norton AntiVirus for OS/2 also includes NAVEX, Symantec's exclusive modular engine technology. It allows the Symantec AntiVirus Research Center to provide the most advanced, up-to-date anti-virus solutions to all customers across all platforms.

Using NAVEX, Norton AntiVirus customers have received instant protection for Office 97 viruses, Java viruses, Trojan Horses, 32-bit viruses and more without a single product re-installation, lowering the overall cost of ownership. LiveUpdate delivers these engine updates, but NAVEX is what keeps these changes small enough to download over the Internet. With LiveUpdate and NAVEX, users are assured that they are always protected against the latest virus threats.

Easy to Use and Administer
Norton AntiVirus for OS/2 v5.0 detects and removes IBM AntiVirus for OS/2 during installation, streamlining the migration process for IBM customers. In addition, because Norton AntiVirus for OS/2 utilizes the familiar OS/2 interface, customers will find Norton AntiVirus for OS/2 easy to use. Norton AntiVirus for OS/2 allows corporate administrators to silently deploy Norton AntiVirus over the network via login scripts. Administrators can use a command-line scanner to scan end-user systems on demand without end-user intervention, thereby giving administrators greater control of their OS/2 installation. In addition, administrators can create an internal LiveUpdate site on a server for central updating of end-user virus definitions.

Pricing and Availability
Norton AntiVirus for OS/2 is available now via site license on Symantec's Norton AntiVirus Solutions CD 3.03. The product also is available through IBM's Passport Advantage program. Updates for the OS/2 platform will continue to be provided by Symantec.

System Requirements
Norton AntiVirus for OS/2 v5.0 requires an IBM PC or 100 percent compatible; Intel 80386 DX or higher (Intel 486 recommended); OS/2 2.11, Warp, Warp Connect, Warp 4, or OS/2 Warp Server; 16MB of RAM (32MB recommended); 24MB disk space; and a CD-ROM drive.

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.

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