Virus Detection Software Sales Surge Amid "Melissa" Scare

Strategic Insights -

Retail sales of virus detection software skyrocketed by 67% during the week of the "Melissa" computer virus scare, driven by public warnings about the virus spreading via infected emails. This surge in demand motivated consumers to purchase software such as Norton Antivirus by Symantec and VirusScan and Dr. Solomon's Anti-Virus by Network Associates. The increased use of virus detection products is seen as a rare positive impact of the Melissa virus, which prompted a wake-up call about the potential for destructive viruses on the internet.

Key Takeaways:

  • Retail sales of virus detection software increased by 67% during the week of the "Melissa" scare, according to PC Data.
  • Unit sales of Symantec's Norton Antivirus increased by 78% during the week of March 28 to April 3, 1999.
  • Network Associates' virus detection titles, VirusScan and Dr. Solomon's Anti-Virus, saw a 51% increase in unit sales during the same period.
  • Only 35% of PCs in the US and Canada had virus detection software installed at the time, highlighting a significant gap in security.
  • PC Data, a leading provider of software and hardware sales data, saw an opportunity to launch its new initiative, @PCData, an Internet monitoring service, amidst the virus scare.
  • PC Data supplies sales information to over 800 software and hardware firms, accounting for nearly 95% of total computer industry sales.

Statistics:

  • 67% increase in retail sales of virus detection software during the "Melissa" scare (PC Data).
  • 78% increase in unit sales of Symantec's Norton Antivirus (Symantec).
  • 51% increase in unit sales of Network Associates' VirusScan and Dr. Solomon's Anti-Virus (Network Associates).
  • 35% of PCs in the US and Canada had virus detection software installed (PC Data).
  • PC Data has been providing point-of-sale data since 1991.
  • PC Data supplies sales information to over 800 software and hardware firms.
  • These firms account for nearly 95% of total computer industry sales.

Sources:

  • "Retail sales of virus detection software increased more than 67 percent during the week of the "Melissa" computer virus scare, according to PC Data" (PRNewswire, April 14)
  • "Unit sales of Symantec's Norton Antivirus increased 78 percent during the week of March 28 to April 3, 1999" (Symantec)
  • "Network Associates' virus detection titles, VirusScan and Dr. Solomon's Anti-Virus, were up 51 percent during the week of March 28 to April 3, 1999" (Network Associates)
  • "Virus detection software is currently installed on only 35 percent of PCs in the US and Canada" (PC Data)
  • "PC Data has been providing point-of-sale data since 1991" (PC Data)
  • "PC Data supplies sales information to more than 800 software and hardware firms, which account for nearly 95 percent of total computer industry sales" (PC Data)