New Wave in Communications Brings New Dangers

Instant Messaging Use Set To Double By 2004

SYDNEY --NSW - September 17, 2002 -- Consumers and businesses are increasingly vulnerable to Internet security threats, and contributing to this is the emergence of Instant Messaging, the biggest communication craze since mobile phone text messaging. With Instant Messaging usage set to double by 2004, Symantec, the world leader in Internet security, is addressing this issue with its launch of Norton Internet Security 2003.

"In just two years, more than 30 per cent of Australia's online working population will be using Instant Messaging in the office, with younger, net-savvy users the fastest adopters of this communications form," said Jason Ross, Forrester Technographics Analyst at AMR Interactive. "Many Instant Messaging applications provide an easy transmission path for viruses and worms, making companies vulnerable to a new source of security attacks."

Norton Internet Security 2003 offers a total Internet security solution for PC users. It provides protection from viruses, worms, hacking and other Internet attacks, and scans attachments sent via Instant Messaging, which stops infected files disabling the recipient's computer.

"With Instant Messaging and general Internet usage increasing, a total Internet security solution is vital to ensure the online safety of PC users and to protect personal, financial and business data from falling into the wrong hands," said Norman Kohlberger, Senior Product Manager, Symantec Asia Pacific. "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."

Symantec's Norton Internet Security 2003 also filters junk mail, or spam, saving users time and Internet Service Provider costs. As Spam, now accounts for 20 per cent of all mail sent, this added feature will free up clogged email accounts.

Norton Internet Security's Norton Personal Firewall feature keeps out unwanted intruders by hiding the PC from hackers, while its Visual Tracking feature allows computer users to uncover the geographic location of anyone who tries to attack the computer while online.

Please see the following fact sheet for a full list of features and benefits of Symantec's Norton Internet Security 2003. To learn more about viruses, hoaxes or conduct a one-time system scan visit http://www.symantec.com/securitycheck/.

Pricing 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

NOTE TO EDITORS: Symantec and the Symantec logo are trademarks or registered trademarks, in the United States and certain other countries, of Symantec Corporation. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of the individual companies and are respectfully acknowledged.

Full Benefits of Symantec's Norton Internet Security 2003

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 automatically detecting and blocking malicious attacks such as the Nimda and Code Red worms. When the system detects an intrusion, it will automatically block the attack and stop all further communication from the attacker's computer.

Enhanced Privacy Protection
Norton Internet Security 2003 also includes enhanced privacy features. Norton Privacy Control now prevents confidential information from being sent through standard POP3 e-mail and MS Office e-mail attachments, as well as through regular Web traffic and Instant Messaging services, including AOL Messenger and Windows/MSN Messenger.

Spam Filtering
Norton Internet Security 2003 also provides spam filtering, which prevents annoying spam and junk e-mail messages from burdening one's e-mail in-box. 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 by automatically filing them in a specified folder. Unlike competing spam filtering solutions that require the use of a special, separate email reader, Norton Spam Alert allows users to continue to user 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 and 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. These new capabilities include:

• A redesigned interface simplifies use while increasing performance.
• Alert Assistant provides detailed, easy-to-understand information to assist users in responding to security alerts.
• The Internet Disconnect feature boosts security by enabling users to immediately stop all Internet traffic with the press of a button at the first sign of malicious activity.
• Security Monitor controls security activities from a simplified user interface, assuring the user's Internet traffic is being monitored.
• Automatic LiveUpdate checks for and downloads the latest updated virus definitions, firewall rules, intrusion detection signatures and Internet application profiles when the user is online.
• The Visual Tracking feature uncovers the geographic location of an attacker,
• Network Notification alerts the user when his or her computer has joined a wireless or local wired network.
• Password Protection secures selected settings and prevents Norton Internet Security from being turned off inadvertently by malicious code.
• Newsgroup filtering extends the Parental Control capabilities of Norton Internet Security 2003 by enabling parents to 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. Norton AntiVirus 2003 removes viruses automatically, protects e-mail messages and Instant Message attachments and keeps virus definitions up-to-date with out requiring user intervention.

In addition to automatically removing viruses, Norton AntiVirus 2003 now removes Trojan horses and worms automatically, blocking worms in outgoing e-mail even before a virus definition is available. Norton AntiVirus 2003 also detects and stops fast-moving script-based viruses proactively without requiring a virus definition update. Further, Norton AntiVirus 2003 automatically scans and cleans incoming attachments from popular Instant Messaging services such as Yahoo! Instant Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger and Windows/MSN Messenger.