Market Leading AntiVirus Solution Tops Short List of Superior Software Products for the Second Straight Year

TORONTO, December 23, 1998 -- Symantec Corporation (Nasdaq: SYMC), the world leader in utility software for business and personal computing, has announced that Norton AntiVirus 5.0 has been named Best of 1998 by PC Magazine. In the January 1999 issue, the publication once again named Norton AntiVirus to the editor's short list of the year's top utilities. Norton AntiVirus also received this honour in 1997.

Norton Antivirus is a key component of Norton SystemWorks, the industry's number one integrated suite. According to PC Data, Norton SystemWorks is already the fourth best selling Windows business software. PC Data reports that Norton SystemWorks is also outselling Network Associates' (Nasdaq: NETA) McAfee Office by a three to one margin.

"We are pleased that Norton AntiVirus is once again receiving this award from PC Magazine - unquestionably one of the most well-respected publications in the industry. Editors recognise that Norton AntiVirus offers users a global, simplified and comprehensive anti-virus solution that make it stand out from competitive offerings," said Enrique Salem, vice president of Symantec's Security and Assistance Business Unit.

Each year, PC Magazine evaluates thousands of products to determine the few that deserve to be called the best, then backs its claims with benchmark test results and expert analyses. "When we say a product is the best of a particular category," magazine editors wrote, "you can take that to the bank - or to the store."

Editor Jim Seymour praised Norton AntiVirus for packaging comprehensive virus protection in an easy-to-use interface. In addition, Seymour also highlighted several valuable features found in version 5.0 including Quarantine, the ability to isolate questionable files so they won't damage your system and Scan and Deliver, the ability to submit files for analysis to the Symantec AntiVirus Research Centre (SARC) from directly within the program. Seymour also pointed out that Norton Antivirus 5.0 offers enhanced support for compressed file formats, thereby protecting uses from the growing threat of virus infection through ZIP, LZESE, LHA and LZH files.

About Norton AntiVirus
Norton AntiVirus 5.0, PC Magazine's perennial Editor's Choice Award winner, offers 100 per cent detection and repair of unknown and new viruses. Norton AntiVirus 5.0 is part of Symantec's Suite of Multi-tier virus protection products designed to protect the enterprise at the desktop, server, Internet and gateway levels. Symantec's Norton AntiVirus products have received numerous awards since January 1998, including PC Magazine's Editor's Choice in 1998 for Best AntiVirus Utility for the third year in a row, as well as the magazine's 1997 best AntiVirus Utility award, PC World's Best Buy and PC Computing's A-List. In addition, for the third time this year, Virus Bulletin awarded Norton AntiVirus product its coveted 100 per cent Award for detecting all in-the-wild viruses in VB's comprehensive test sets.

About Symantec in Canada:
With 250 employees, Symantec's Canadian operations are headquartered in Toronto with offices in Montreal, Ottawa and Vancouver. For information on Symantec products or current promotions, contact the Canadian office at (416) 441-3676 or access Symantec's Canadian Wide Site. Symantec is an active member of the Canadian Alliance Against Software Theft (CAAST).

About Symantec
Symantec is the world leader in utility software for business and personal computing. Symantec products and solutions help 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. Symantec is traded on Nasdaq under the symbol SYMC. More information on the company and its products can be obtained at www.symantec.com.

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, Calif., 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.