Magazine Salutes Symantec Products as "the Best of the Best"

TORONTO, November 18, 1998 -- Symantec Corporation (Nasdaq: SYMC), the world leader in utility software for business and personal computing, today announced that ACT! 4.0 and Norton Utilities, last year's award winner, won PC Computing's prestigious 1998 Most Valuable Product (MVP) Awards. The MVP Award designation is widely regarded as the computer industry's most highly prized distinction. Earlier this year, both products were also named to PC Computing's influential A-List as well as to Windows Magazine's WinList.

ACT! 4.0 and Norton Utilities 3.0 were honoured at PC Computing's 10th annual MVP Awards ceremony on Sunday, November 15/98 at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The MVP Awards event has long been considered the unofficial kick-off for the COMDEX/Fall technology industry trade show, which officially opened the following day.

"The MVP Awards are reserved for only the most usable and advanced computing solutions in the industry," said Enrique Salem, vice president of Symantec's Security and Assistance Business Unit. "As a result, we are very pleased to receive this unique honour for not just one, but two Symantec products."

"These awards celebrate innovation, technology, usability and overall design," wrote reviewers of MVP Award winners in the January 1999 issue of PC Computing. "Each of the MVP winners and finalists can give your business a real shot in the arm. There are plenty of great products out there. The MVP's represent the best in every important product category. We salute them all."

In awarding ACT! the MVP Award for best contact manager, reviewers praised the product's comprehensive and easy-to-use design. "Never forget a name, number or fact again," they wrote. "Custom menus and streamlined toolbars make keeping tabs on critical business data painless. Of course, most of the info you really need is out on the Web and with ACT! you can easily find and pull it into your existing contact database."

In recognising Norton Utilities as the MVP Award winner for best system utility software, reviewers singled out the product's full array of features designed to remedy system problems and improve performance. "You can't make Windows perfect," they wrote, "but at least you can fix problems when they pop up-with Norton Utilities 3.0. The latest version gives you crash protection, Registry cleansing and online updates - everything you need to detect, analyse and repair those nitty-gritty problems. Plus, Norton helps you speed up your system for peak performance."

To select the 1998 MVP award winners, PC Computing's editors conducted an exhaustive review of thousands of computer hardware, software, Internet and digital office products, evaluating them for usability, performance, technology, innovation and value. Such a rigorous review process distinguishes the MVP award from other publications' best-of-the-year product awards, since many of these are based on reader polls, popular opinion or widespread appeal.

About PC Computing
PC Computing is the magazine for business professionals who think strategically and are motivated by the business benefits of new technology. Written in the language of business, it empowers Business Computing Buyers with the practical information they need to make smart computer product purchases. The editorial is delivered in a style that is accessible and actionable and is focused on usability, productivity and the application of new products to business solutions. PC Computing is the preferred information source for a paid circulation of more than 1,000,000 business technology buyers.

About Symantec in Canada:
With 250 employees, Symantec’s Canadian operations are headquartered in Toronto with offices in Montréal, Ottawa and Vancouver. For information on Symantec products or current promotions, contact the Canadian office at (416) 441-3676 or access the World Wide Web

About Symantec
Symantec Corporation helps 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. 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 Café product lines in Internet development tools.

Founded in 1982, the company's global operations span North America, Europe, Japan and several fast growing markets throughout Asia Pacific and Latin America. Traded on Nasdaq under the symbol SYMC, Symantec Corporation is based in Cupertino, California and employs more than 2,000 people. Information on the company and its products can be obtained by calling (800) 441-7234 toll free, (541) 334-6054 or accessed on the World Wide Web.

NOTE TO EDITORS: If you would like additional information on Symantec Corporation and its products, please view the Symantec Press Centre on Symantec's web site. Brands and products referenced herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Brands and products referenced herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. All prices noted are in US dollars.