Norton AntiVirus gains highest level certification from Secure Computing magazine

TORONTO, November 30, 1998 -- Symantec (Nasdaq: SYMC) has become the first company to be awarded the prestigious Checkmark Level Two certification for its Norton AntiVirus product.

The certification was awarded by West Coast Labs, part of Secure Computing magazine, following extensive testing not only to determine the software's ability to disinfect all viruses in the Joe Wells in-the-wild list which are capable of being disinfected, but also of its suitability as part of a corporate security strategy. Secure Computing Magazine has a circulation of more than 100,000 worldwide and is the leading publication for IT professionals who are responsible for network security.

"Checkmark Level Two is the most arduous and demanding certification process and has been developed to provide anti-virus solution users, many of who are responsible for corporate network security, with independent validation that an anti-virus product can protect against modern virus threats," says Paul Robinson, editor of Secure Computing. "While it does not form part of the Checkmark test, we were impressed not merely with the Norton product's virus detection and repair capabilities, but also by the way it meets corporate network administrators' need in other critical areas, such as the ability to be updated automatically with new virus definitions and engine enhancements."

To attain Checkmark Level Two certification, Norton AntiVirus was submitted to West Coast Lab's testing program. Level Two testing confirms a product's ability to disinfect programs, disks and documents which have been infected by in-the-wild viruses - - those viruses which are causing infections in the real world as opposed to those in research collections. The testing is extremely demanding and is the most exacting test for anti-virus products anywhere in the world. It requires the product to remove and infection and leave the user's machine usable and the data intact.

"Checkmark Level Two represents a serious commitment by developers to meet the needs of their customers. And what anti-virus users are telling us they want is disinfection. By being the first, Symantec's virus research team has overcome a number of significant technical hurdles and is to be commended for their technical insight and determination," adds Robinson.

Enrique Salem, vice president of Symantec's Security and Assistance Business Unit, commented: "Norton AntiVirus is emerging from the recent intense market consolidation as the leading anti-virus solution for corporate organisations. Being the first product to receive Secure Computing's Checkmark Level Two certification is a tremendous achievement and provides customers with independent assurance that our product has been subjected to the most intense testing possible and has not only passed, but has been praised by the testing authority.

"Our integration of IBM's immune technology and Intel's systems management technologies into the Norton AntiVirus architecture is going extremely well. Checkmark Level Two is an important third-party validation of the technological excellence of Norton AntiVirus and the product's unparalleled ability to meet corporate customers' needs."

About Norton AntiVirus
Since Symantec and IBM announced their alliance, more than 1,800 companies in the U.S.A. and 1,500 companies in Europe have committed to transition to Norton AntiVirus.

The Norton AntiVirus product line includes a multi-tier strategy that integrates a powerful anti-virus solution at desktops, servers, groupware servers, Internet e-mail gateways and firewalls to provide users with the most comprehensive virus detection and repair. The products provide users the security of knowing they have the most complete protection available, whether downloading files from the Internet, opening e-mail attachments or accessing floppy disks.

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.

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