Symantec's Norton Internet Security 2006 Named PC World Best Buy

Symantec Corp. (NASDAQ: SYMC) today announced that Norton Internet Security 2006 was named Best Buy by PC World magazine. Norton Internet Security 2006 is Symantec's award-winning security suite that provides comprehensive security to protect users from viruses, hackers, spyware, and spam. According to the July 2006 issue of PC World magazine, Norton Internet Security 2006 outperformed nine competitors -- including McAfee Internet Security Suite 2006, Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security 2006, Zone Labs ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite and the new Microsoft Windows Live OneCare -- to earn the coveted Best Buy designation.

"Symantec is very pleased that Norton Internet Security has been singled out as the top security suite by one of the most widely read and honored computer magazines available," said Enrique Salem, Group President, Consumer Products and Solutions, for Symantec. "As the market leader in consumer security, this prestigious award is a tangible recognition of Symantec's ongoing commitment to providing consumers with the most effective, easy-to-use tools available so that they can enjoy their online connection to the world."

"Suites of antivirus, antispyware, and firewall software can provide convenient, solid protection against today's worst threats," PC World editors wrote. "Symantec's suite put together the best blend of features in an easy-to-use package [It] performed consistently across our tests."

In their introduction to security suites, editors explained that fighting today's complex range of security threats takes a multifaceted strategy that can be met through standalone antivirus, antispyware, and firewall products or through an all-in-one suite. While consumers can select their own standalone tools by opting for separate security applications, editors cautioned that running such a combination can be complicated and expensive. In contrast, security suites offer convenience and affordability, and their individual components are designed to interoperate smoothly.

To determine their Best Buy pick, editors ran each security suite through a gauntlet of tests, looking specifically at performance, features, design, and price. Norton Internet Security 2006 received a performance rating of Very Good, detecting 100 percent of Wildlist viruses and blocking 100 percent of both inside and outside attacks. Testing revealed that malware was unable to deactivate the firewall in memory, delete it from the hard drive, or steal the rights of legitimate programs. In addition, backdoor applications placed on test computers both before and after Norton Internet Security 2006 was installed were not able to access the Internet.

Norton Internet Security 2006 also blocked all standard and stealth port scans and halted Internet traffic trying to enter the PC through ports opened for SMB-based file sharing, which PC World editors pointed out suggests that the suite can differentiate between good and bad traffic on a home network. In addition, Norton Internet Security 2006 did not reveal data about the operating systems used by the test PCs.

The PC World Best Buy designation is the latest in a series of honors that Norton Internet Security has earned over the years. Norton Internet Security has previously been named Smart Choice by Smart Computing, Best of the Year and Editors' Choice by PC Magazine, and Best in Tech by Computer Shopper.

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 .

NOTE TO EDITORS: If you would like additional information on Symantec Corporation and its products, please visit the Symantec News Room at http://www.symantec.com/news . All prices noted are in U.S. dollars and are valid only in the United States.

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CONTACT: Phil Weiler Symantec Corporation 1 (541) 335 5914 phil_weiler@symantec.com Mike Bradshaw Connect Public Relations 1 (801) 373 7888 mikeb@connectpr.com