Symantec Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware Solution Targets Cybercrime

New Spyware Detection and Removal Capabilities Prevent Sophisticated Attacks from Gaining Any Computer Access to Protect Critical Information Assets

Toronto, ON - March 27, 2006 - Symantec Corp. (Nasdaq: SYMC) today announced the availability of Symantec Client Security 3.1 and Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition 10.1, offering enhanced real-time spyware prevention and new enterprise-class reporting resources for comprehensive protection against the increasing cybercrime threat. Symantec's latest Internet Security Threat Report indicates continued cybercrime momentum, specifically finding that eighty percent of the top 50 malicious code samples could reveal important confidential information needed to facilitate criminal activity for financial gain.

To better protect against evolving spyware techniques, the new Symantec solution offers constantly updated detection and removal capabilities via a downloadable anti-spyware engine, helping to ensure that desktop clients have the new software they need without requiring a full update. Organizations can rapidly deploy immediate protection against changing and complicated risks such as rootkits, randomized name risks, and persistent risks that attempt to re-install themselves. Symantec AntiVirus proactively blocks installation of software that creates a security risk, stopping adware, spyware, and other malware. This prevents sophisticated attacks from gaining any access onto a computer, reducing costly manual clean-up. These added capabilities, coupled with Symantec's ability to deliver security updates automatically via LiveUpdate technology, make Symantec AntiVirus the leading enterprise security solution on the market today.

"The advanced virus protection and robust monitoring tools in the latest versions of Symantec's Client Security and AntiVirus solutions offer us the scalability, control, and comfort we need to ensure our customers' information and transactions are safe and secure," said Larry Hargrave, chief IT director at Hemenway Business Service, a business and financial services firm based in Owosso, Michigan. "The best IT person is one you never have to see, and the same goes for security solutions. Symantec's improved spyware detection, repair functionalities, and reporting tools provide Hemenway with the resources we need to manage three separate IT environments from a single location."

Enterprise-Class Reporting and Risk Management

Symantec Client Security and Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition provide enterprise-class reporting and monitoring of spyware and malicious code attacks, including threat and risk reports on the most common infected hosts or infection sites, scan reports to view scan specific statistics, and status reports that highlight the version, definition, and status of servers and workstations. Administrators can set email alerts for virus outbreaks and new virus events. The alerts provide a hyperlink for immediate access to detailed reports for event troubleshooting down to specific servers or client groups.

"Attackers used to be motivated by fame and notoriety, but today's attackers are more covert, forcing organizations to deal with the added challenge of detecting stealthy attacks designed to quietly steal critical information," said Brian Foster, senior product manager for Symantec client and server security. "Symantec's enhanced detection capabilities and reporting tools are vital in this changing threat landscape, helping organizations better understand and isolate malicious code and spyware activities to help prevent a potential security breach."

For added insight about the full impact of spyware to an organization, Symantec now offers a Risk Impact Matrix that provides end-users and administrators a clear view into the impact that a security risk will have on a computer. Leveraging Symantec's Response group and their analysis of risk profiles, these impact ratings highlight privacy impact, performance impact, stealth rating, removal rating, dependent programs, and an overall rating. Administrators can also add a risk exclusion to better customize and make informed risk decisions to increase protection against cybercrime activities, reduce potential exposure of sensitive customer information, and help preserve the performance of system assets. Specific to Symantec Client Security, Symantec also offers a new client configuration feature to manage and help ensure that clients are properly configured. The console allows administrators to turn on and configure client compliance features, reset configurations, and periodically check that systems are adhering to administration policy. This helps to mitigate for undue security risk that could be introduced by an individual modifying the security settings for their system.

Availability

Symantec Client Security 3.1 and Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition 10.1 are available now through Symantec's worldwide network of value-added resellers, distributors, and systems integrators. Organizations seeking a reseller or distributor should contact Symantec at http://enterprisesecurity.symantec.com.

About Symantec

Symantec is the world leader in providing solutions to help individuals and enterprises assure the security, availability, and integrity of their information. Headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., Symantec has operations in more than 40 countries. More information is available 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).

NOTE TO EDITORS: If you would like additional information on Symantec Corporation and its products, please view the Symantec Press Center at www.symantec.com/PressCenter/index.html on Symantec's Web site. All prices noted are in US dollars and are valid only in the United States.

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