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1997-07-20
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SYMANTEC DELIVERS FIRST DETECTION AND REPAIR FOR WEED.5850,
A NEW ONLINE VIRUS DISCOVERED AT ZDNETZD NET
-- Symantec AntiVirus Research Center (SARC) Turns Around
Detection and Repair Solution to ZDNetCustomers Within Eight Hours
for New Weed.5850 Virus --
CUPERTINO, Calif. -- April 248, 1997 -- Symantec Corporation (Nasdaq:
SYMC), the world's leading supplier of utilities and anti-virus
software products, today announced that ZDNet supplied researchers at
the Symantec AntiVirus Research Center (SARC) with a virus sample
found by ZDNet's Software Library. SARC developed the detection in a
matter of hours provided ZDNet a repair shortly thereafter. The
virus, named Weed.5850, is an encrypted file infecting virus that
attempts to infect executable files. By the end of the month
Symantec will also published a complete virus detection and repair
solution for the Weed.5850 computer virus on its web site at http://
www.symantec.com/avcenter..
"The minute we received the virus sample from ZDNet, our researchers
jumped on the problem and within eight hours provided a detection and
repair solution to ZDNet," said Alex Haddox, product manager for
SARC. "Our ability to provide a speedy response illustrates SARC's
commitment to not only protecting our partners like ZDNet, and their
customers, but all computer users." ZDNet discovered the virus
before it was posted on Software Library.
Brief Information on the Weed.5850 Virus
% The virus, Weed.5850, is an encrypted file infecting virus
% Infection length: 5850 bytes
% Area of infection: COM and EXE files
% Characteristics: encrypted file infecting virus; it is NOT memory
resident;infects the same file multiple times.
% Likelihood: Common
% Target platform: DOS,
% Region reported: USA (on line)
% Trigger date: none
% Description: Once run, it attempts to infect executable files in
all directories on the path. The virus does not check for previous
versions of itself, hence it will likely infect the same file
multiple times. Because it lacks simple error checking, this virus
often damages files that are smaller than itself (5850 bytes),
rendering them unrecoverable. This is the third modified version of
the Weed family of viruses. The virus can randomly cause an animated
display of traveling dots, similar to a "starfield" screensaver, to
appear on the system's monitor.
Symantec AntiVirus Research Center (SARC) SARC is comprised of a
dedicated team of virus experts whose sole mission is to provide
swift, global responses to computer virus threats, proactively
research and develop technologies that eliminate such threats, and
educate the public on safe computing practices. As new computer
viruses appear, SARC develops identification and detection or these
viruses, and provides either a repair or delete operation, thus
keeping users protected against the latest virus threats. These virus
definitions updates are available to users of Norton AntiVirus, and
are easily obtained by using LiveUpdate or Intelligent Updater.
LiveUpdate provides one-button access to the latest virus definition
updates, free of charge (other than normal phone and Internet access
charges) to registered users. Symantec is the only anti-virus
company that provides its users virus definitions that are free of
charge, easy to obtain and install, and updated monthly by SARC.
According to the Symantec AntiVirus Research Center (SARC), six to
nine new computer viruses are discovered every day and, of those,
there are an alarming number of new macro viruses. Researchers have
documented 515 macro viruses as of late March 1997, a significant
increase since August 1996, when there were only 42. Of these, 505
viruses have been documented for Word, while 10 have been found in
Excel documents.
AntiVirus Support Services Symantec's family of anti-virus products
are backed by unsurpassed information, technology, and customer
service. In addition to the Symantec AntiVirus Research Center
(SARC), virus information and updates can be obtained through the
Virus Hotline (541) 9-VIRUS-9. Downloadable virus definition updates
are available from the Symantec BBS, the Symantec FTP and Web sites,
CompuServe, America Online and the Microsoft Network. For customers
who do not have online access, a quarterly disk-based update
subscription service is available for an annual fee of $39.95 plus
tax.
This press release contains forward-looking statements. There are
certain important factors that could cause results to differ
materially from those anticipated by some of the statements made
above. Among these are the anticipation of the growth of certain
market segments, the positioning of Symantec's products in those
segments, the competitive environment in the software industry,
dependence on other products, such as Windows 95 and the importance
of new Symantec products. Additional information concerning those
and other factors is contained in the "Risk Factors" section of the
Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March
29, 1996 and the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the
fiscal quarter ended December 27, 1996.
Symantec Corporation develops, markets, and supports a complete line
of application and system software products designed to enhance
individual and workgroup productivity as well as managed network
computing environments. Platforms supported include IBM personal
computers and compatibles, Apple Macintosh computers as well as all
major network operating systems. Founded in 1982, the company's
global operations span North America, Europe, Japan and several fast
growing markets throughout Asia Pacific and Latin America.
Information on the company and its products can be obtained by
calling (800) 441-6054 toll free or (541) 334-6054.
NOTE TO EDITORS: If you would like additional information on Symantec
Corporation and its products, please view the Symantec Press Center
at http://www.symantec.com/PressCenter/ on Symantec's Website.
- ### -
Brands and products referenced herein are the trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective holders. All prices noted
are in US dollars and are valid only in the United States. Microsoft,
Windows NT, MS-DOS and windows are either registered trademarks or
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other
countries.