Symantec's New Norton Internet Security 2003 Delivers Comprehensive Protection Against Online Security Threats

New Benefits Include Intrusion Detection, Spam Filtering, Automatic Virus Removal, Simplified User Interface and Unmatched Protection of Personal Information

TORONTO, Ont. - September 16, 2002 - Symantec Corp. (Nasdaq: SYMC), the world leader in Internet security, today announced Norton Internet Security 2003, the most tightly integrated and complete online security and privacy suite. Available for purchase in late-September, Norton Internet Security 2003 features a simplified user interface along with Symantec's updated, best-of-breed firewall, intrusion detection, privacy control, antivirus and content filtering technologies in a single, easy-to-use suite. Norton Internet Security 2003 protects against blended threats such as Nimda and Code Red, which use multiple methods to attack and quickly cause widespread damage.

Key new benefits in Norton Internet Security 2003 include Norton Intrusion Detection, enhanced privacy control features, Norton Spam Alert and usability improvements to enhance the customer experience. Norton Intrusion Detection provides users with an additional layer of security by automatically blocking malicious attacks that spread quickly through Internet traffic that a firewall alone cannot stop. Norton Privacy Control provides new privacy protection features such as filtering confidential information in outgoing e-mail messages and attachments as well as Instant Messaging. Norton Spam Alert allows users to filter out annoying spam e-mail messages. Usability enhancements include a simplified user interface, automated protection, alerts to network connections, the ability to block all Internet traffic with the push of a button and a visual security monitor.

"Norton Internet Security 2003 is an efficient and effective tool for maximizing online privacy protection, while automatically blocking malicious code, viruses and computer hackers," said Steve Cullen, senior vice president, Consumer and Client Product Delivery at Symantec. "Its unique and comprehensive combination of security technologies makes it a must-have for all Internet users who want to enjoy a safe experience as they e-mail, bank, shop and play online."

Comprehensive Personal Firewall
While the firewall component of Norton Internet Security 2003 secures inbound and outbound communications and keeps the user's PC invisible to hackers, the addition of Norton Intrusion Detection adds another layer of security by automatically detecting and blocking malicious attacks such as the Nimda and Code Red worms. When the system detects an intrusion, it will automatically block the attack and stop all further communication from the attacker's computer.

Enhanced Privacy Protection
Norton Internet Security 2003 also includes enhanced privacy features. Norton Privacy Control now prevents confidential information from being sent through standard POP3 e-mail and MS Office e-mail attachments, as well as through regular Web traffic and Instant Messaging services, including AOL Messenger and Windows/MSN Messenger.

Spam Filtering
Norton Internet Security 2003 also provides spam filtering, which prevents annoying spam and junk e-mail messages from burdening one's e-mail in-box. Norton Spam Alert detects spam messages and flags them as spam in the subject field. Users can then decide to delete the message or set a rule to handle the spam messages by automatically filing them in a specified folder. Unlike competing spam filtering solutions that require the use of a special, separate email reader, Norton Spam Alert allows users to continue to user their preferred POP3 email client -- such as Microsoft Outlook.

Improved Ad Blocking
Improved ad blocking provides the ability to block more banner ads, pop-up and pop-under windows and other Web distractions. For dial-up users, it also has the advantage of speeding up Internet connections.

Enhanced Usability
Several enhancements make Norton Internet Security 2003 the easiest solution for protecting against today's most common Internet threats. These new capabilities include:

• A redesigned interface simplifies use while increasing performance.
• Alert Assistant provides detailed, easy-to-understand information to assist users in responding to security alerts.
• The Internet Disconnect feature boosts security by enabling users to immediately stop all Internet traffic with the press of a button at the first sign of malicious activity.
• Security Monitor controls security activities from a simplified user interface, assuring the user's Internet traffic is being monitored.
• Automatic LiveUpdate checks for and downloads the latest updated virus definitions, firewall rules, intrusion detection signatures and Internet application profiles when the user is online.
• The Visual Tracking feature uncovers the geographic location of an attacker,
• Network Notification alerts the user when his or her computer has joined a wireless or local wired network.
• Password Protection secures selected settings and prevents Norton Internet Security from being turned off inadvertently by malicious code.
• Newsgroup filtering extends the Parental Control capabilities of Norton Internet Security 2003 by enabling parents to block access to inappropriate newsgroups.

The World's Most Trusted Antivirus Solution
The complete version of Norton AntiVirus 2003 provides Norton Internet Security 2003 users with comprehensive antivirus protection. Norton AntiVirus 2003 removes viruses automatically, protects e-mail messages and Instant Message attachments and keeps virus definitions up-to-date with out requiring user intervention.

In addition to automatically removing viruses, Norton AntiVirus 2003 now removes Trojan horses and worms automatically, blocking worms in outgoing e-mail even before a virus definition is available. Norton AntiVirus 2003 also detects and stops fast-moving script-based viruses proactively without requiring a virus definition update. Further, Norton AntiVirus 2003 automatically scans and cleans incoming attachments from popular Instant Messaging services such as Yahoo! Instant Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger and Windows/MSN Messenger.

Pricing and Availability
Norton Internet Security 2003 is available now for preorder at www.symantecstore.com for an estimated retail price of CDN$99.95. Current users of Norton Internet Security and select competitive products may upgrade to Norton Internet Security 2003 for CDN$45.00. Customers can purchase Norton Internet Security from various retail locations beginning in late-September, as well as from Symantec's online store at www.symantec.com, and at other online retailers. Norton Internet Security 2003 includes one year of security updates. Annual subscriptions are available for subsequent updates.

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 38 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 anticipated activities and results 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 sustainability of recent growth rates, particularly in consumer products; the anticipation of the growth of certain market segments, particularly enterprise security; the positioning of Symantec's products in those segments; the competitive environment in the software industry; general market conditions, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, changes to operating systems and product strategy by vendors of operating systems; acquisition risks, including the risks that Symantec will not successfully integrate the Riptech and Recourse businesses, technology and/or personnel; and whether Symantec can successfully develop new products and the degree to which these gain market acceptance. 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 ended March 31, 2002 and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002. Symantec assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information contained in this press release except as otherwise required by law.