Symantec launches Norton AntiVirus Enterprise Solution 4.0 including the new Norton AntiVirus Corporate Edition 7.0 and the new Symantec System Center

Hong Kong -- January 26, 2000 - Symantec, a world leader in Internet security technology and solutions, has launched Norton AntiVirus Enterprise Solution 4.0, a dramatically improved version of its flagship software designed to deliver highly scalable, multi-tier virus protection that keeps systems running at peak performance across the enterprise. Both English and traditional Chinese versions are available.

Norton AntiVirus Enterprise Solution 4.0 incorporates the new Norton AntiVirus Corporate Edition 7.0 together with a new management tool, Symantec System Center, to provide automated anti-virus handling and centralised management. Using state-of-the-art patented technology from Symantec, IBM and Intel, Symantec System Center allows administrators to efficiently protect, control and monitor all computers linked on a network, including Windows 95/98/NT/2000 clients and Windows NT and Novell Netware Servers, from a single centralised console.

"With the explosion of the Internet in today's workplace, MIS managers are faced with an unprecedented number of staff whose PCs are vulnerable to computer viruses as they surf the World Wide Web and correspond by email," said Mandy Lee, Symantec's sales and marketing manager for Hong Kong and Southern China. "Norton AntiVirus Enterprise Solution 4.0 offers an easy-to-use management tool that provides the most effective way to control this escalating risk."

Using Symantec System Center, a computer network can be divided into sub-groups, known as NAV Server Groups, each of which is managed by a primary server controlled in turn from the Symantec System Center central management console. This highly scalable system is capable of swiftly relaying commands to thousands of machines on the network, as well as to remote locations such as a company's branch offices, and allows MIS managers to easily and cost-effectively control a network of any size.

Symantec System Center provides complete control, allowing administrators to set and monitor client/server configurations remotely to ensure that established corporate security policies are enforced. For example, administrators can lock-down client configurations or make the client user interface invisible in order to prevent users from disabling or modifying their anti-virus settings. Detailed audit reports are available to confirm that actions have been carried out correctly.

"Corporations report that most virus attacks occur when computer users disable or modify the anti-virus settings on their desk-top PCs, putting a company's entire network at risk," commented Ms Lee. "With the introduction of Norton AntiVirus Enterprise Solution 4.0, MIS managers now have the control necessary to prevent these violations of anti-virus policy."

When a suspect new virus is discovered on a network terminal, the event will trigger Norton AntiVirus to automatically attempt a repair. If the repair is unsuccessful, the system can then automatically package and forward a sample to the Quarantine Server and an alert is sent to the administrator. From here it can be evaluated and submitted directly to Symantec AntiVirus Research Centre (SARC). Because the MIS department can receive notification of a virus alert in several different ways - including paging, Internet E-mail (SMTP), client message dialogue, SNMP trap and network broadcast alerts - administrators can have confidence in the safety and security of their system against new virus attacks.

Norton AntiVirus Corporate Edition 7.0 includes a new corporate version of the highly successful 'Scan and Deliver' feature that provides customers with the most complete and accurate anti-virus protection cycle available. The new version offers an automatic, global response process for submitting suspected or infected files and receiving new virus repair definitions by e-mail. Due to the high level of automation, no full-time operator is required.

Once SARC receives the sample, it is automatically passed to the new Symantec AntiVirus Research Automation (SARA) technology, which can in turn, automatically create a cure and transmit the resulting fix back to the reporting corporation. The cure is also made available to other service subscribers, which significantly minimises the possibility of widespread infection. This automation technology will greatly reduce the amount of time to create a cure for a new virus, providing much needed relief to the MIS managers facing today's fast moving threats. The new Scan and Deliver function is based on technology co-developed with IBM.

To minimise IT costs in the face of unknown virus threats, Norton AntiVirus Corporate Edition 7.0 relies on a unique technology called NAVEX. Using this technology, the anti-virus engine of Norton AntiVirus can be updated at the same time as the virus definitions, without having to redeploy the software. This key advantage, only available using Symantec's NAVEX, allows mission-critical servers to continue running and avoid expensive down time.

Symantec's LiveUpdate provides a simplified two-click process for end-user clients or IT administrators to download the most up-to-date virus definitions from the Symantec web site, from any where in the world, twenty four hours a day. LiveUpdate enables IT managers to download a complete set of the most current virus definitions for the entire network and for any mix of platform types. These definitions, in turn, are used to automatically update end users' personal virus definitions. MIS departments can use Symantec System Center to automatically update virus definitions and can precisely configure the level of automation required.

As a result, administrators are able to maintain the safety and security of their systems, as well as their credibility in the event a new or unknown virus attacks their network.

Pricing and availability
The Norton AntiVirus Enterprise Solution 4.0 is available now at an estimated retail price of HK $585, for 10-24 licenses, which also includes the license cost plus one year's upgrade insurance.

About Symantec
Symantec is a world leader in Internet security technology and technology solutions that help companies manage and support workforces that use laptop computers and other mobile devices. The company is a leading provider of software products for the consumer market and is rapidly growing its presence as a provider of solutions to enterprise organisations.

Information on the company and its products can be obtained at the Symantec Asia-Pacific Press Centre at http://www.symantec.com/region/hk/PressCenter/.

Issued on behalf of Symantec Corporation by Newell Public Relations