"Norton AntiVirus Remains a Step Ahead of its Competitors with Version 5.0," Magazine States

TORONTO, January 22, 1999 -- Symantec Corporation (Nasdaq: SYMC), the world leader in utility software for business and personal computing, has announced that Norton AntiVirus 5.0 was named PC World "Best Buy" for the second year in a row. In February 1999 issue, the publication preferred Norton AntiVirus 5.0 over a field of six competitors' products, including Network Associates" (Nasdaq: NETA) VirusScan 4.0, thereby corroborating Norton AntiVirus's position as the most powerful anti-virus software available.

Norton AntiVirus is an integral component of Norton SystemWorks, the industry's best-selling, highest-rated integrated utility suite. Norton SystemWorks was designed specifically to provide consumers a comprehensive, integrated and flexible solution to keep their computers working. With seamless integration, Norton SystemWorks gives users everything they need in one box - one install, one product update centre, one manual, one support line and one emergency disk set - and with a single easy-to-use interface.

"We are honoured that PC World, indisputably one of the computing industry's most venerated and powerful publications, has recognised Norton AntiVirus as the clear leader in the anti-virus market," said Enrique Salem, vice president of Symantec's Security and Assistance Business Unit.

"With the recognition as a Best Buy in both last year's roundup and this year's, Norton AntiVirus remains a step ahead of its competitors with Version 5.0. With top-notch protection, an idiot-proof interface, simple updating and a wealth of truly useful features, it won easily," wrote Stan Miastkowski, PC World editor. After thoroughly testing and analysing each product, PC World concluded that while some products offer such features such as effective virus-catching capabilities, easy updates and interfaces, quick scan times or strong support, the best include all of the above. "Our Best Buy, Norton AntiVirus 5.0, took less than 13 minutes to scan a 1gb hard drive, caught just about every virus we threw at it and proved easy to use and update," Miastkowski said.

Virus expert Joe Wells, of Wells Research, performed the exhaustive product testing for PC World. According to the report, Wells tracks worldwide circulation of viruses in his monthly WildList. For the PC World roundup, he tested each program's ability to detect all 254 in-the-wild viruses and 10,606 variant samples of 7,860 zoo viruses. Wells tested how well the programs removed the ten most frequently seen viruses of all types, plus the next seven most frequently seen macro viruses from otherwise clean files. He then timed how long each program took to scan 10,973 files for viruses and ran further tests. Norton AntiVirus detected all in-the-wild viruses and 99 per cent of zoo viruses - more than any other anti-virus program - in just 12 minutes and 54 seconds. In comparison, Wells noted, Network Associates' VirusScan 4.0 took nearly half an hour.

The Best Buy award and product roundup were part of a comprehensive report that provided an update on the latest virus threats, multiple charts defining everything from product features to the life and death of a virus, tips from readers and even a dictionary of virus-related terms. "Norton AntiVirus 5.0 includes several useful new features," concluded Miastkowski. "The program now automatically detects malevolent ActiveX and Java applets [and] the program's Quarantine feature tucks infected files away in a protected area while you check online for a fix or contact Symantec tech support. Scan and Deliver encodes suspected viruses and e-mails them directly to Symantec's AntiVirus Research Centre for a possible fix. When the easy-to-install program finds a virus, it clearly shows you what to do."

Miastkowski also praised Norton AntiVirus's usability features and highlighted NAVES, a modular engine that allows Symantec to ship fundamental changes and updates to the engine technology and ensures customers are updated with new technologies, search engines for new virus threats and in-line product upgrades, when appropriate. "Updating NAV is simple," he wrote. "Most conveniently, Symantec offers unique incremental updates, which download only the changes in signature files rather than the entire time-consuming database."

Symantec's Norton AntiVirus products have received numerous awards in the past year, 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 1998 Best AntiVirus utility award and PC Computing's A-List. In addition, Virus Bulletin awarded three Norton AntiVirus products its coveted 100% 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 Web 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.

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