Symantec Wins Anti-Virus Software Contract

The Defense Information Systems Agency awarded a $1.5-million contract to Symantec Corp. to protect the Defense Department’s computers from viruses, the company said. Under the five-year deal, the Cupertino firm will license its Norton AntiVirus Solution software to protect workstations and servers belonging to the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, military academies and defense agencies. Symantec says its software can detect viruses in Internet files, electronic mail, shared network files, compressed archives and software stored on CD-ROMs. Some computer viruses can erase or otherwise ruin digital files. Symantec rival McAfee Associates of Santa Clara won a $2-million anti-virus contract as part of the same contract. Symantec shares lost $1.38 to close at $20.25 on Nasdaq. McAfee Associates shares lost $2.19 to close at $75.56, also on Nasdaq.