Symantec Receives Patents on Innovative Microdefinition System

Patented Technologies Enable Incremental Virus Definition Updates, Saving Customers Time and Resources While Ensuring Continued Protection Against Malicious Code

CUPERTINO, Calif. - Feb. 7, 2001 - Symantec Corp. (Nasdaq: SYMC) today announced that the company received two new patents for its microdefinition technology. Symantec's new technology allows users to download only those incremental virus definitions that are new since their last update, thereby saving time and resources.

"The technology behind these patents allows Symantec to provide its customers with the most effective method for incremental software updating," said Rob Clyde, Symantec's chief technologist, Enterprise Solutions Division. "Innovations like this demonstrate our ability to provide customers with fast, easy-to-manage Internet security solutions."

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued Patent US6052531 to Symantec for multi-tiered incremental software updating technology and Patent US6167407 for backtracked incremental updating. Together, these patented technologies make up Symantec's efficient microdefinition system, which is currently included in Norton AntiVirus Corporate Edition 7.5 - a key component of Symantec Enterprise Security. Additionally, the mircrodefinition system is integrated into Norton AntiVirus 2001, Norton AntiVirus 2000 and Norton AntiVirus 5.0.

As the number of viruses and other malicious code escalates, the need for up-to-date virus definitions increases. However, it is very time-and resource-intensive to download all available virus definitions with every update - even over a high-speed connection. For example, a single virus definition download can require 3- to 4MB of disk space as well as several minutes of download time. Symantec's unique, patented technology not only saves time, but can result in bandwidth savings of up to 90 percent. Microdefinition support provides a powerful complement to Symantec's other cutting-edge anti-virus technologies. Microdefinitions enable LiveUpdate, Symantec's schedulable and automatic update mechanism, to run up to four times faster, reducing online connection time and reducing network bandwidth. Microdefinitions also integrate with Symantec's NAVEX technology, which enables updating anti-virus "engines" to protect against completely new types of virus threats, without having to re-deploy any software. As a result, users can have the most current virus definitions and anti-virus engine technology.

Although the newly patented technology is currently being implemented by Symantec for its virus protection software, the technology may also be used to update general computer readable files, which may include data files, program files, database files, graphics files, or audio files. As the patent holder, Symantec is the only company authorized to incorporate this sophisticated technology into its best-of-breed products.

Symantec Enterprise Security
Symantec Enterprise Security provides corporations with a comprehensive and modular Internet security solution. The solution allows customers to manage the complete security lifecycle of their computing environment from assessment and planning to implementation and monitoring.

Symantec Enterprise Security enables customers to build the best security solution for their organization by choosing from Symantec's best-of-breed, multi-platform Internet security products; manageability and administration tools; and world-class professional services and support. Symantec Enterprise Security also includes the Digital Immune System, Symantec's unique technology for automatic detection and cure of security threats.

About Symantec
Symantec, a world leader in Internet security technology, provides a broad range of content and network security solutions to individuals and enterprises. The company is a leading provider of virus protection, vulnerability assessment, intrusion prevention, Internet content and e-mail filtering, remote management technologies and security services to enterprises around the world. Symantec's Norton brand of consumer security products leads the market in worldwide retail sales and industry awards. Headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., Symantec has worldwide operations in 36 countries. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.symantec.com.

Symantec's Canadian operations are headquartered in Toronto with offices in Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary and Vancouver. For more information on Symantec products or current promotions, contact the Canadian office at (416) 441-3676 or access Symantec's Canadian Web site at www.symantec.ca. Symantec is an active member of the Canadian Alliance Against Software Theft (CAAST).

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