The History of McAfee

McAfee was founded in 1987 originally named McAfee Associates, after its founder John McAfee. This led to a merger of McAfee Associates and Network General going by the consolidated name Network Associates in 1997. In 2004, after a major restructuring the company removed some portfolios and refocused its attention in security-related technologies. To reflect this change the company changed back to its more recognised name McAfee.

Network of Operations

The company has a huge influence in multiple operating systems, especially in Open Source software, like Linux, FreeBSD, and Darwin and also established ties to more familiar MAC OS and Windows operating systems. The company has developed a huge portfolio of companies each specialising in a particular sector but is careful not to diversify to much from its core client-based antivirus software and network and desktop encryption technologies. The company has on site network and desktop encryption technologies including the market leading fields in firewall, file encryption, and public key infrastructure product lines. Mainly, the company's success lies in the implementation of its antivirus and antispam product lines.

The Growth of Computer Viruses and Malicious Code

The ongoing battle between on the one side network Viruses, Anti Spam and Malicious Code and on the other Anti-Virus suites like MacAfee; ensure the company always has to be one step ahead of viruses and hackers. McAfee security product lines constantly have to update against spread of Viruses. Indeed, and updated McAfee suite can be just as susceptible as no anti virus.

IntruVert

On April 2, 2003, McAfee obtained IntruVert Networks. This company's main focus is on intrusion-prevention, which not just detects attacks, but blocks them. The IntruVert suite can be selected to passive intrusion-detection system or it can be set to the intrusion-prevention mode of blocking an attack.

McAfee for Channel Stuffing

January 2006, McAfee admitted to channel stuffing, an illegal method of appearing to have more revenue than it actually had. This is the only black mark on an otherwise exemplary record in the business world. This led to McAfee firing their President Kevin Weiss and following on their CEO George Samaneuk resigning after the SEC investigation. Kent Roberts, also left after its own internal enquiry by McAfee's board.

SiteAdvisor

On April 5, 2006, SiteAdvisor was added to McAfee after a short bidding war with one of its main rivals (Symantec). This prime site focused on advising end users that warns if downloading software or filling out forms on a site might contain malware or spam.

McAfee Today

McAfee with its McAfee Total Protection, prefer to bundle their security suite protection in one package like its other main competitors. This suite competes directly with Symantec's Norton 360 and Microsoft's Windows OneCare (Microsoft's first venture into the security market). MacAfee has experienced a slow gradual growth and more recent audits McAfee show's no signs of slowing. McAfee's choice to make security its sole focus has proved to be correct and recognised diversifying too much can cripple a business. Today, McAfee is the security suite of choice featuring powerful, simple easy-to-use suite that addresses today's threats and tomorrow's risks.