Symantec's Internet Tools Established as Independent Company

Warburg, Pincus and BEA Systems Create New Company Focused on the E-Commerce Developer

CUPERTINO, Calif. - Dec. 13, 1999 - Symantec Corporation (NASDAQ:SYMC) today announced the establishment of its Internet Tools business unit as an independent company, owned by Warburg, Pincus and BEA Systems (NASDAQ:BEAS). Symantec signed a definitive agreement concerning the purchase of the Visual Café product line and its principal assets for a one time cash payment of $75 million. As part of the agreement, the Internet Tools personnel will have the opportunity to join the new company.

"The independence of the Internet Tools business unit will allow Symantec to focus on its core competency in Internet security," said John W. Thompson, Symantec chairman, president and CEO. "Our Visual Café customers will benefit from this new company's focus on the needs of customers involved in building web-enabled systems and extending their legacy applications."

Completion of the transaction is dependent upon termination of waiting periods for the Hart Scott Rodino anti-trust filing with the Department of Justice and satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT:
This press release contains forward-looking statements. There are certain important factors that could cause Symantec's future development efforts to differ materially from those anticipated by some of the statements made above. Among these are the anticipation of the growth of certain market segments, the positioning of Symantec's products in those segments, the competitive environment in the software industry, dependence on other products, changes to operating systems and product strategy by vendors of operating systems, and the importance of new Symantec products. Additional information concerning those and other factors is contained in the "Risk Factors" section of the company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 2, 1999.

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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Brands and products referenced herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.