Intel to Replace McAfee Brand with “Intel Security”

Intel Corporation CEO Brian Krzanich announced on Monday that the McAfee brand name will be phased out as the security division of the company is branded Intel Security. 

Intel acquired McAfee in 2010 for $7.68 billion with the aim of improving embedded security and baking more security into hardware.

The McAfee brand, created by anti-virus software pioneer John McAfee, suffered some damage after the founder was wanted in Belize for questioning over the murder of his neighbor in late 2012, sparking months of dramatic events and a wild goose chase across Central America.

While John McAfee has had nothing to do with the security firm for more than 15 years, the company still carried his name, and according to Intel, the Intel Security brand will retain the familiar red shield.

The re-branding will begin immediately, but the transition is expected to take up to a year before completed, the company said.

McAfee will continue to operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Intel.

Krzanich, during his keynote address at CES, also announced Intel’s plans to release free mobile security software for Apple and Android devices and said later this year Intel Security will offer Intel Device Protection technology, which will help secure Intel-based Android mobile devices.