Symantec Corporation Prospectus Supplement No. 5
 

     
Prospectus Supplement #5
(to prospectus dated February 19, 2002)
  Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-77072

SYMANTEC CORPORATION

3% Convertible Subordinated Notes Due November 1, 2006 and
Shares of Common Stock Issuable Upon Conversion of the Notes


     This prospectus supplement relates to the resale by the holders of our 3% convertible subordinated notes due November 1, 2006 and the shares of our common stock issuable upon the conversion of the notes. You should read this prospectus supplement in conjunction with the prospectus dated February 19, 2002, which is to be delivered with this prospectus supplement.

     The information in the table appearing under the heading “Selling Holders” in the prospectus is amended by the addition of the information appearing in the table below:

                                 
    Principal                        
    Amount of Notes   Common Stock           Common Stock
    Beneficially   Owned   Common   Owned After
    Owned and   Prior to the   Stock   Completion of
Name of Beneficial Owner   Offered   Offering(1)(2)   Offered(2)   the Offering

 
 
 
 
Aristeia Trading, LLC
  $ 2,880,000       84,358       84,358        
Conseco Fund Group — Convertible Securities Fund
    500,000       14,645       14,645        
Convertible Securities Fund
    90,000       2,636       2,636        
Equity & Convertible Fund
    710,000       20,796       20,796        
Equity Income Fund
    90,000       2,636       2,636        
Nations Convertible Securities Fund
    3,195,000       93,585       93,585        
Nations Equity Income Fund
    655,000       19,185       19,185        
MSD TCB, L.P.
    14,500,000       424,722       424,722        
Onex Industrial Partners
    1,760,000       51,552       51,552        
Pebble Capital Inc.
    610,000       17,867       17,867        
Silvercreek II Limited
    750,000       21,968       21,968        
Silvercreek Limited Partnership
    880,000       25,776       25,776        

(1)   Includes common stock into which the notes are convertible.
(2)   Assumes a conversion ratio of 29.2912 shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes and a cash payment in lieu of any fractional interest.


     Investing in our common stock or the notes involves a high degree of risk. Please carefully consider the “Risk Factors” beginning on page 3 of the prospectus, as well as the “Risk Factors” section included in our recent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

     NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE PROSPECTUS OR THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

The date of this prospectus supplement is April 5, 2002.