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Intel renames McAfee software, John McAfee "elated"

Intel is changing the name of its McAfee anti-virus software to remove the association to security software enfant terrible John McAfee.

Michelle Starr Science editor
Michelle Starr is CNET's science editor, and she hopes to get you as enthralled with the wonders of the universe as she is. When she's not daydreaming about flying through space, she's daydreaming about bats.
Michelle Starr
2 min read

Intel is changing the name of its McAfee anti-virus software to remove the association to security software enfant terrible John McAfee — who couldn't be more delighted.

(Screenshot by CBSi)

It's been years since John McAfee, founder of the McAfee Association in 1987 and anti-virus software pioneer, has had anything to do with the company. After departing a multi-millionaire in 1994, he's worked on many different start-ups — and lived a life of strange, dissolute luxury.

After making headlines in 2012 for his alleged involvement in a murder (which he has since denied on his website), though, McAfee's life took a strange turn — and it seems Intel, which purchased McAfee in 2010, wishes to dissociate its brand from the name. At CES earlier this week, Intel CEO Brian Krzanich announced that the software would be renamed Intel Security.

Everything else will remain the same — including the red shield — and the rebrand is expected to take about a year.

"I think at the heart of it is that we always had planned on consolidating our brand to the Intel brand," said McAfee chief technology officer Mike Fey. "The McAfee shield is what's known across the globe. In some locations, they can't even pronounce McAfee correctly. So, that's what drove us."

John McAfee, who last year released a rather peculiar video detailing tips for uninstalling McAfee software, was delighted at the news.

"I am now everlastingly grateful to Intel for freeing me from this terrible association with the worst software on the planet. These are not my words, but the words of millions of irate users," he told the BBC. "My elation at Intel's decision is beyond words."