Symantec AntiVirus Research Centre Responds to ActiveX Exploit within Four Hours of Receiving Sample

TORONTO - March 22, 1999 -- Symantec Corporation (Nasdaq: SYMC), the world leader in utility software for business and personal computing, announced it now provides detection and elimination for the Pentium III processor serial number exploit released last week by Zero-Knowledge Systems. Devised by the Symantec AntiVirus Research Centre, the detection and elimination is currently available with the regular weekly virus definitions on the Symantec web site at www.symantec.com. Symantec customers can download the new definition set using LiveUpdate.

"Symantec remains firmly committed to ensuring that users enjoy a safe computing environment. The rapid creation and availability of a new definition set that detects and eliminates this vulnerability is further evidence of our profound dedication to addressing users' concerns through innovative and intelligent software solutions," said Enrique Salem, vice president of Symantec's Security and Assistance Business Unit.

The Pentium III processor is the newest processor developed by Intel. The processor includes a serial number feature embedded into the chip during the manufacturing process. This number serves as an identifier for the processor and, by association, its system. Intel has encouraged OEMs to ship its processor serial number control utility with Pentium III processor based systems so that consumers can easily turn the serial number feature on or off. Zero-Knowledge Systems, an Internet privacy company, countered by releasing an ActiveX program that, according to the Montreal-based company, installs malicious code to read the processor serial number before Intel's control utility can run and crashes the user's system. The new virus definition set will now detect and eliminate the Zero-Knowledge ActiveX program.

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.

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.