Symantec Detects All Known Variants of VBS.LoveLetter.A Worm

New Variation Poses as Message from Symantec Technical Support

CUPERTINO, Calif. - May 5, 2000 - Symantec Corp. (NASDAQ: SYMC) today announced protection for all known variants of the VBS.LoveLetter.A worm. One of several new variants, VBS.LoveLetter.G (Virus ALERT!!!) includes the subject line "Virus ALERT!!!" and poses as a message from Symantec technical support. This message is NOT being distributed by Symantec Corporation and should be deleted immediately. Symantec customers who have updated their AntiVirus definitions since 1:30 p.m. PDT (9:30 p.m. GMT) today are currently protected from VBS.LoveLetter.A and all known variants.

Virus variations detected by Norton AntiVirus are all e-mail based viruses that are sent with one of the following subject lines: "ILOVEYOU," "Susitikim shi vakara kavos puodukui . . .," "fwd: Joke," "Mothers Day Order Confirmation," "Dangerous Virus Warning," "Virus ALERT!!!," "No Comments," and "Important! Read Carefully!!."

One of the latest variants displays the words "Virus ALERT!!!" in the subject field, and claims to provide updates to fix damage caused by earlier versions of the worm. This variant also misleads the user into believing that the e-mail is from a legitimate source as the e-mail appears to be sent from Symantec technical support (support@symantec.com). In addition, VBS.LoveLetter.G overwrites .bat and .com computer files.

Symantec customers should utilize the LiveUpdate feature built into Norton AntiVirus software to protect their computers. Updates are also available at www.symantecstore.com, www.digitalriver.com/symantec and on Symantec's web site: www.symantec.com.

Symantec AntiVirus Research Centre
SARC is one of the industry's largest dedicated team of virus experts. With offices located in the United States, Japan, Australia, and the Netherlands, the sun never sets on SARC. The center's mission is to provide swift, global responses to computer virus threats, proactively research and develop technologies that eliminate such threats, and educate the public on safe computing practices. As new computer viruses appear, SARC develops identification and detection for these viruses, and provides either a repair or delete operation, thus keeping users protected against the latest virus threats.

About Symantec
Symantec, a world leader in Internet security technology, provides content security solutions to enterprise organisations and helps companies manage and support workforces that use computers and other mobile devices.

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