Symantec and EarthLink Team up to Offer Subscription-Based Internet Security Bundle [April 13, 2004]

CUPERTINO, Calif. & ATLANTA, Apr 13, 2004 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Symantec Corp. (SYMC) , the world leader in information security technology, and EarthLink (ELNK) , one of the nation's leading Internet service providers, today announced the launch of Norton(TM) Security Products brought to you by EarthLink. The new subscription-based Internet security service resides on the user's desktop and blocks viruses, hackers and other Internet threats. The offering will feature Symantec's award-winning Internet security solutions, including Norton AntiVirus(TM) and Norton(TM) Personal Firewall, and will be billed monthly on the subscribers' EarthLink invoice.

Norton(TM) Security Products brought to you by EarthLink are available as a bundle, featuring both Norton AntiVirus and Norton Personal Firewall for $5.95 per month, or either program can be subscribed to separately for $3.95 per month. The software can be ordered or downloaded at www.earthlink.net/extras/security without up-front fees, and customers will regularly receive automatic software updates as long as they remain subscribed to the service.

"Protection from viruses and hackers is important to our customers, and EarthLink's new subscription service from Symantec makes Internet security a simpler task," said Tom Andrus, vice president of product and services, EarthLink. "These services complement our TotalAccess(R) protection tools, all of which are designed to provide a hassle-free online experience."

Symantec's award-winning solutions offer users protection against a wide variety of Internet security threats. Norton AntiVirus, for example, is the world's most trusted antivirus solution, protecting users against viruses, worms and other threats. Norton Personal Firewall keeps hackers out and personal data in. It makes robust firewall protection easy by automatically hiding the user's PC on the Internet and blocking suspicious connections. This award-winning software also prevents confidential information from being sent out without the user's knowledge. With automatic updates, EarthLink customers who subscribe to the service will receive up-to-date protection against today's increasingly complex Internet threats.

"Internet security is one of the most critical issues facing computer users today, especially with the advent of blended threats. Blended threats use multiple methods and techniques to spread. As a result, they can cause widespread damage very quickly. EarthLink is to be commended for making this service available to its subscribers. EarthLink is truly living up to its motto of revolving around its customers," said Matt Moynahan, Vice President, Consumer Products and Solutions, for Symantec.

The new subscription security products complement EarthLink's TotalAccess 2004 software, which features Spyware Blocker(SM), spamBlocker and Pop-Up Blocker(SM) tools that help keep online interruptions to a minimum. Last year, EarthLink added to this lineup with Virus Blocker, a free server-side, antivirus tool powered by Symantec AntiVirus Scan Engine technology. Virus Blocker helps prevent subscribers from downloading Internet-borne viruses, worms and other malicious code via email messages and attachments sent to their EarthLink email account.

The new service is available to EarthLink customers who have an individual PC or multiple computers through the purchase of a multiple seat license. In addition, five- and 10-user packs are available to small business customers for $14.95 and $24.95 respectively. Macintosh users who subscribe to EarthLink will be able to purchase similar Symantec security products by visiting the online store at www.earthlink.net/extras/security.

In addition, EarthLink subscribers are able to test the security of their computers for free by visiting Symantec Security Check, available through the EarthLink members' home page at www.earthlink.net/extras/security. One of the most widely visited security testing sites worldwide, Symantec Security Check helps users identify and address online safety threats to their personal computers. After performing a wide range of security tests to determine users' exposure to the most common security threats including viruses, worms, Trojan horses and hacker vulnerabilities, Symantec Security Check identifies safety issues and provides recommendations for addressing those weaknesses.

About EarthLink

"EarthLink revolves around you(TM)." Celebrating ten years as a leading national Internet service provider (ISP), Atlanta-based EarthLink has earned an award-winning reputation for outstanding customer service and its suite of online products and services. According to the J.D. Power and Associates 2003 Internet Service Provider Residential Customer Satisfaction Study(SM), EarthLink is ranked highest in customer satisfaction among high-speed Internet Service Providers. Serving more than five million subscribers, EarthLink offers what every user should expect from their Internet experience: high-quality connectivity, minimal drop-offs and ISP-generated intrusions, and customizable features. Whether it's dial-up, high-speed, Web hosting, or wireless Internet service, EarthLink provides the tools that best let individuals use and enjoy the Internet on their own terms. Learn more about EarthLink by calling (800) EARTHLINK or visiting EarthLink's Web site at www.earthlink.net.

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.

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Symantec and the Symantec logo are trademarks or registered trademarks, in the United States and certain other countries, of Symantec Corporation. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of the individual companies and are respectfully acknowledged.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT: This press release contains forward-looking statements, including forecasts of future revenue and earnings per share, expected activities, and other financial and business 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; 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 Symantec's previously filed Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. Symantec assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information contained in this press release except as otherwise required by law.

SOURCE: Symantec Corp.

Symantec Corporation
Phil Weiler, 541-335-5914
pweiler@symantec.com
or
EarthLink
David Blumenthal, 404-748-7316
blumenthald@corp.earthlink.net
or
Connect Public Relations
Sherri Walkenhorst, 801-373-7888
sherriw@connectpr.com