19 May 1997 - Symantec Australia has teamed with Microsoft for the launch of Microsoft's Office 97 Value Pack. Norton AntiVirus will be included in the Office 97 Value Pack available in retail stores now.

"This OEM deal offers a great opportunity for Symantec to strengthen its leadership position in anti-virus retail sales, locally," said Michelle Amery, General Manager, Symantec Australia and New Zealand.

"Following extensive research and customer feedback, we have been able to develop a software pack that meets the needs of small businesses and home professionals. Norton AntiVirus forms an important part of that solution," said Peter Cray, Product Manager for Desktop Applications at Microsoft.

In addition to the partnership agreement for the Microsoft Office 97 Value Pack, Microsoft announced the standardisation of the Microsoft Australia office on Norton AntiVirus for complete virus protection.

"Viruses are becoming increasingly mobile with the development of electronic communication," said John Dwyer, Manager of Information Technology at Microsoft Australia. "Norton AntiVirus provides Microsoft with the critical protection we require as a major corporation."

Office 97 File Formats

On March 3, 1997 Symantec provided an update to Norton AntiVirus to detect and remove viruses written in the new file formats of Microsoft Office 97. "Only software written specifically to detect viruses written in the new file formats for Office 97 will protect users against virus threats in this environment," said Michelle Amery.

Norton AntiVirus now incorporates the technology to detect and remove viruses in Office 97. The Symantec solution includes adapting the NAVEX modular engine technology to provide the latest virus protection for Office 97, across Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

According to the Symantec AntiVirus Research Centre, six to nine new computer viruses are discovered every day with an increasing percentage identified as Macro viruses. In March 1997 researchers documented an alarming 515 macro viruses, a phenomenal increase on the 42 macro viruses identified in August 1996.

Norton AntiVirus products give users the security of knowing that they have the most complete virus protection possible, whether they are downloading files from the Internet, opening e-mail attached documents or accessing floppy disks.

Symantec has also included in the Microsoft Office 97 Value Pack a $20 rebate card for further Symantec products for the desktop. The rebate encompasses Symantec Internet FastFind, ACT!, pcHandyman, WinFax PRO, Norton Your Eyes Only and pcANYWHERE. This rebate is available with proof of purchase through Symantec Australia.

The Microsoft Office 97 Value Pack, designed for Windows 95 and Windows NT, includes Microsoft Office 97 Professional Edition, the new Microsoft IntelliMouse, Publisher 97, Encarta 97 World Atlas, Bookshelf Basics, Money 97, Picture It!, Microsoft's Games Sampler 2 and Norton AntiVirus from Symantec. It is available at retailers nationally for an estimated retail price of $599.00.

Note to Editors - Symantec Corporation helps make computer users productive and keep their systems safe and reliable anywhere, anytime. The company is focused on addressing customer needs in three main application areas: the Norton product line of anti-virus and PC-assistance products; the pcAnywhere, WinFax and ACT! product lines that cater to remote user productivity; and the Cafe product lines in Internet development tools.

Founded in 1982, Symantec maintains corporate headquarters in Cupertino, California with regional offices in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Seoul, Tokyo, Singapore, Malaysia, Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland. Traded on Nasdaq under the symbol SYMC, Symantec is ranked in the top ten international software vendors and employs more than 2000 people worldwide. Information on the company and its products can be obtained at the Symantec Asia-Pacific Press Centre on the World Wide Web at http://www.symantec.com/region/au_nz/PressCenter/index.html