Symantec Urges Computer Users to Update Virus Protection

Preventative Measures Could Slow Spread of W32.Maldal.D@mm Worm

CUPERTINO, Calif. - Jan. 2, 2002 - While computer virus activity has been slow over the holidays, the W32.Maldal.D@mm or ZaCker worm, is highly destructive and has the potential to spread quickly when people return to work on Wednesday morning. Symantec Corp.strongly urges computer users and IT administrators to update their virus protection prior to opening any e-mail when returning from vacation this week.

"Computer users have the power to keep potentially destructive viruses and worms, like Maldal, relatively contained," said Vincent Weafer, senior director of Symantec Security Response. "By keeping antivirus protection updated and practicing safe computing, computer users can limit their exposure to harmful computer viruses and worms."

W32.Maldal.D@mm can be identified by the subject line ZaCker. If its attachment is opened, the worm has the ability to delete a wide variety of file types including antivirus software and critical system files. Additionally, the worm can spread itself utilizing every address in the users Outlook address book.

For detailed information on W32.Maldal.D@mm, visit the Symantec Security Response website at http://securityresponse.symantec.com. Computer users who are concerned that they may have received a virus can easily scan their system and obtain a virus removal at no charge using Symantec Security Check website at http://www.symantec.com/securitycheck.

About Symantec
Symantec, the world leader in Internet security technology, provides a broad range of content and network security software and appliance solutions to individuals, enterprises and service providers. The company is a leading provider of client, gateway and server security solutions for virus protection, firewall and virtual private network, vulnerability management, intrusion detection, Internet content and e-mail filtering, remote management technologies and security services to enterprises and service providers around the world. Symantec's Norton brand of consumer security products is a leader in worldwide retail sales and industry awards. Headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., Symantec has worldwide operations in 37 countries. For more information, please visit 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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FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT: This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding recommended actions, that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from results expressed or implied by this press release. Such risk factors include, among others: the risks that current global adverse economic conditions and reduced spending will continue or worsen; currency exchange fluctuations will adversely affect our results; the continuing integration of Symantec and AXENT will not be successful; the difficulty of developing and marketing products that compete effectively with others; new security threats and other economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors affecting Symantec's business generally. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional information concerning these and other risk factors is contained in the Risk Factors sections of the Company's previously filed Form 10-K for the year ending March 30, 2001 and the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2001.