Product Features Provide System Performance

11 May 2005

New Product Features Provide Essential, Simplified Threat Protection and Optimise System Performance

Symantec (Nasdaq: SYMC), the global leader in information security, today announced Norton AntiVirus 10.0 for Macintosh, the world’s most renowned protection against known and emerging virus threats.

Norton AntiVirus 10.0 for Macintosh is scheduled to be widely available later this month, and includes a new Global Threat Assessment dashboard to provide users with an overview of current virus threats. The product also includes a new Contextual Menu support feature and custom SafeZones for improved ease-of-use and efficiency. Norton AntiVirus 10.0 for Macintosh is also fully compatible with Apple’s new version of Mac OS X 10.4 – ‘Tiger.’

“In today’s fast paced online threat environment, it is important for Symantec to offer secure protection at all end points,” said Norm Kohlberger, senior regional product manager Consumer and Client Product Delivery, for Symantec Asia Pacific.

“With Norton AntiVirus 10.0 for Macintosh, Symantec is pleased to add new customisation and usability enhancements to support Mac users with the best possible virus protection solution, as well as support Apple’s new Mac OS X 10.4.” New Global Threat Assessment Dashboard Norton AntiVirus 10.0 for Macintosh includes a new Global Threat Assessment dashboard that provides the status of local computer virus protection and an overview of global threats allowing users to quickly and efficiently monitor their Macs’ security.

This new feature leverages Tiger’s new dashboard functionality to offer the user a report and assessment of the three most recent and the three most critical virus threats on both the PC and Mac platforms. Norton AntiVirus also leverages the Symantec Security Response servers to download the most up-to-date threat information.

The Global Threat Assessment dashboard also allows users to easily monitor their security protection by showing the status information for Norton AntiVirus’s Auto-Protect feature. Users can also use the dashboard to quickly view the last time virus definitions were updated.

Contextual Menu Support and Custom SafeZones Norton AntiVirus 10.0 for Macintosh offers users the enhanced convenience of quick and easy manual virus scans. The contextual menu support feature lets users scan files and directories ‘on the fly’ by right clicking/control clicking on a particular file or directory. Users can scan specific files and directories manually without having to launch the Norton AntiVirus application.

Designed with power users in mind, the custom SafeZones feature gives users an added level of convenience and works to optimise system performance. Users can specify particular areas of their drive or specific volumes or files, to be or not to be routinely scanned for threats.

Video and media editors, for example, with huge directories or volumes, can specify a SafeZone, to avoid time consuming scans of their entire hard drive. Smart volume scanning also allows Norton AntiVirus 10.0 for Macintosh to remember previously scanned CD or DVD media to eliminate unnecessary scans and keep users’ machines running at peak performance.

Continued Core Protection Norton AntiVirus 10.0 for Macintosh continues to offer important core protection features such as automatic detection of viruses, worms and Trojan horse threats. Auto-Protect functionality maximises user protection by providing email scanning and monitoring of files and applications that get written to the hard dive.

Symantec’s LiveUpdate technology allows users to automatically receive the latest virus definitions for both Mac and PC viruses to always keep protection current. Norton AntiVirus 10.0 for Macintosh is also backed by the experts at Symantec Security Response to ensure users have the most advanced protection.

Availability Norton AntiVirus 10.0 for Macintosh runs on Mac OS X and Mac OS 9 and is available now for pre-order at www.SymantecStore.com. Norton AntiVirus 10.0 for Macintosh is expected to be available for purchase by June at various retail locations, the Symantec online store at www.symantecstore.com as well as from other online retailers.

About Symantec Symantec is the global leader in information security providing a broad range of software, appliances and services designed to help individuals, small and mid-sized businesses and large enterprises secure and manage their IT infrastructure. Symantec’s Norton brand of products is the worldwide leader in consumer security and problem-solving solutions. Headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., Symantec has operations in more than 35 countries. More information is available at http://www.symantec.com. ##

ENDS

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