Symantec's New Norton Internet Security 2003 Automatically Protects PC Users Against Online Security Threats

Now protects Instant Messaging

SYDNEY --NSW - September 17, 2002 -- Symantec the world leader in Internet security, today announced Norton Internet Security 2003, the most tightly integrated and complete online security and privacy suite to date. Norton Internet Security 2003 features Symantec's updated, best-of-breed firewall, intrusion detection, privacy controls, antivirus and content filtering technologies in a single, easy-to-use suite. It protects against blended threats such as Nimda, Code Red and Klez, which use multiple methods and techniques to attack and quickly cause widespread damage.

"Norton Internet Security 2003 is the most effective way for consumers to ensure online safety, even when adopting newer forms of communication such as Instant Messaging," said Norman Kohlberger, Senior Product Manager, Symantec Asia Pacific. "As more and more users realise the benefit of the Internet, email and Instant Messaging, and with the increased proliferation of viruses, worms, hackings and unauthorised intrusions, users now more than ever need to protect themselves against all online dangers. This means installing more than just antivirus software on their PCs. By adopting an all-in-one solution with the reliability and ease of use of Norton Internet Security 2003, users can be assured of safety online when working, surfing, banking or shopping."

Norton Internet Security 2003 is one of the first security solutions to protect users of Instant Messaging, which is expected to grow in popularity. Jason Ross, Forrester Technographics Analyst at AMR Interactive, sees Instant Messaging as a major area of vulnerability.

"With consumers spending up to six hours a month on Instant Messaging, that's a lot of time for them to be potentially exposed to malicious attacks," Ross commented. "When you combine this with the expectation that Instant Messaging usage is set to double by 2004 and the fact that an overwhelming number of home and business users don't have a personal firewall, you have the potential for a vulnerability that could reach the magnitude of last year's email worms."

Key new benefits in Norton Internet Security 2003 include Norton Intrusion Detection, enhanced privacy control features, Norton Spam Alert and usability improvements to enhance the customer experience. Norton Intrusion Detection provides users with an additional layer of security by automatically blocking malicious attacks that spread quickly through Internet traffic that a firewall alone cannot stop. Norton Privacy Control provides new privacy protection features such as filtering confidential information in email, Instant Messaging and Microsoft Office email attachments. Norton Spam Alert allows users to filter out annoying spam email messages. Usability enhancements include a new user interface, automated protection, alerts to network connections (including wireless), the ability to block all Internet traffic with the push of a button and a visual security monitor. These new features combine with Norton Personal Firewall (also part of Norton Internet Security 2003) to provide users with a total Internet security solution.

Comprehensive Personal Firewall
While the firewall component of Norton Internet Security 2003 secures inbound and outbound communications and keeps the user's PC invisible to hackers, the addition of Norton Intrusion Detection adds another layer of security by detecting and blocking malicious attacks such as the Nimda, Klez and Code Red blended threats. When the system detects an intrusion, based on a signature, it will automatically block the attack and stop all further communication from the attacker's computer.

Enhanced Privacy Protection
Norton Privacy Control prevents confidential information from being sent through standard POP3 e-mail, MS Office email attachments, and Instant Messaging services, including AOL Messenger and Windows/MSN Messenger.

Spam Filtering
Spam filtering prevents annoying Spam email messages from interrupting work. Norton Spam Alert detects Spam messages and flags them as Spam in the subject field. Users can then decide to delete the message or set a rule to handle the Spam messages automatically. Unlike competing Spam filtering solutions that require the use of a special, separate email reader, Norton Spam Alert allows users to continue to use their preferred POP3 email client, such as Microsoft Outlook.

Improved Ad Blocking
Improved ad blocking provides the ability to block more banner ads, pop-up or pop-under windows and other Web distractions. For dial-up users, it also has the advantage of speeding up Internet connections.

Enhanced Usability
Several enhancements make Norton Internet Security 2003 the easiest solution for protecting against today's most common Internet threats. A redesigned interface simplifies use while increasing performance, and a new Alert Assistant eases responses to security threats. A new Internet disconnect feature boosts security by enabling users to immediately stop all Internet traffic, both inbound and outbound, with the press of a button. Further, the new Security Monitor controls security activities from a simplified user interface, assuring users Internet traffic is being monitored.

Additional usability features of Norton Internet Security 2003 keep users apprised of important security activity. These include:

• The Visual Tracking feature uncovers the geographic location of an attacker;
• Network Notification notifies the user when his or her computer has joined a wireless or local wired network;
• Password Protection secures selected settings, preventing them from being turned off inadvertently or by malicious code; and
• Newsgroup filtering extends the Parental Control capabilities of Norton Internet Security 2003 by enabling parents to filter and block access to inappropriate newsgroups.

The World's Most Trusted Antivirus Solution
The complete version of Norton AntiVirus 2003 provides Norton Internet Security 2003 users with comprehensive antivirus protection. Through Automatic LiveUpdate, users are protected continuously against new Internet threats. Whenever the user is online, the system automatically checks for new protection updates, then Norton Internet Security downloads updated virus definitions, firewall rules, intrusion detection signatures and Internet application profiles when the user is online.

In addition to automatically removing viruses, Norton Internet Security 2003 removes Trojan horses and worms, automatically blocking worms in outgoing email even before a virus definition is available. Norton Internet Security 2003 also detects and stops fast-moving script-based viruses without requiring a virus definition update. Norton Internet Security 2003 also automatically scans and cleans incoming attachments from popular Instant Messaging services such as Yahoo! Instant Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger and Windows/MSN Messenger. PPricing and Availability
Norton Internet Security 2003 is available from mid October for an estimated retail price of AUD$149.95 including GST. Current users of Norton Internet Security may upgrade to Norton Internet Security 2003 for AUD$99.95 including GST. Norton Internet Security 2003 includes one year of free security update services. Norton AntiVirus 2003 and Norton Personal Firewall 2003 are sold separately for $109.95 including GST, and $99.95 including GST.

About Symantec
Symantec, the world leader in Internet security technology, provides a broad range of content and network security software and appliance solutions to individuals, enterprises and service providers. The company is a leading provider of client, gateway and server security solutions for virus protection, firewall and virtual private network, vulnerability management, intrusion detection, Internet content and e-mail filtering, remote management technologies and security services to enterprises and service providers around the world. Symantec's Norton brand of consumer security products is a leader in worldwide retail sales and industry awards. Headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., Symantec has worldwide operations in 38 countries. For more information, please visit www.symantec.com.au

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