Symantec's new Norton AntiVirus 2003 provides consumers automatic protection from multiple threats; New benefits include protection of instant messages, detection of new worms, automatic removal of worms/trojan horses.

M2 PRESSWIRE-21 August 2002-SYMANTEC CORPORATION: Symantec's new Norton AntiVirus 2003 provides consumers automatic protection from multiple threats; New benefits include protection of instant messages, detection of new worms, automatic removal of worms/trojan horses (C)1994-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

RDATE:08212002

Cupertino, Calif -- Symantec Corp. (Nasdaq: SYMC), the world leader in Internet security, announced Norton AntiVirus 2003, the worlds most trusted antivirus solution for home computer users. Utilizing new exclusive technologies, Norton AntiVirus 2003 removes malicious code automatically, and protects e-mail messages and Instant Messaging attachments from viruses. The latest version of Symantec's award-wining antivirus solution also keeps virus definitions up-to-date without requiring user intervention, which allows consumers to continuously maintain the highest level of virus protection.

"This new release of Norton AntiVirus represents the easiest, smartest, and most reliable antivirus solution for securing home users, professionals, and small businesses," said Steve Cullen, senior vice president, Consumer and Client Product Delivery at Symantec. "Norton AntiVirus 2003 ensures maximum virus protection by automatically safeguarding customers against malicious code at multiple points of entry and by keeping itself up-to-date to defend against the latest virus threats."

Norton AntiVirus 2003 now scans incoming Instant Message attachments, augmenting the multi-layered scanning capabilities of Norton AntiVirus to further ensure users protection from viruses and other malicious code. Instant Messaging scanning supports Yahoo! Instant Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger, MSN Messenger, and Windows Messenger.

Combined with automatic scanning of both inbound and outbound e-mail, this capability assures users that their systems remain protected from viruseswithout requiring user intervention.

Exclusive, heuristics-based Worm Blocking technology in Norton AntiVirus 2003 detects email worms such as Nimda and Badtrans, stopping them before they spread through outgoing e-mail. Used together with Symantecs automatic updating and response capabilities, and complemented by Symantecs powerful Script Blocking technology that detects fast-moving script-based viruses, Worm Blocking helps provide proactive protection against known and unknown threats even before new virus definitions are created.