Intel buys McAfee. No, seriously.

[techs]

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9180942/Intel_McAfee_deal_baffles_security_analysts

Intel-McAfee deal baffles security analysts

Several security analysts today expressed surprise that Intel would purchase security tool maker McAfee, noting that at first glance the move makes little sense for a pure hardware firm.

Intel Thursday agreed to buy McAfee for $7.68 billion, which analysts are calling a premium price tag.

"I'm baffled," said Peter Firstbrook an analyst with Gartner in Stamford, Conn. "I don't see any synergy at all between McAfee and Intel."



wtf bbq?

 

[PricklyPete]

Maybe they are wanting to provide some hardware based security that would work directly with the software.

 

[LtPage1]

Well that's weird.

 

[RichUK]

McAfee is a Pile O' Sheet.

 

[destrekor]

Does Intel hope to create some kind of hardware-software platform for advanced security AI?

 

[Wyndru]

First move is to change how it is pronounced from Mac-Ah-fee to Mah-Ca-Fee.

 

[techs]

McAfee is a Pile O' Sheet.

Intel: "Let's buy a software security tool maker"
McAfee "Buy us!"
Intel: "You're the most f*cked up company there is"
McAfee "Buy us for more than we're worth!"
Intel: "OK, let's do it"

 

[OCGuy]

So who had McAfee shares?

 

[DesiPower]

McAfee is a Pile O' Sheet.

This, Norton is far better, McAfee is a resource hog

 

[mb]

I read this earlier today.. really doesn't make any sense.
Maybe Intel is doing the world a $7.68B favor and eliminating McAfee?

 

[lxskllr]

Maybe they are wanting to provide some hardware based security that would work directly with the software.

The hardware/software combination will make the machine so slow, the virus will just give up and find a better target :^D

 

[PottedMeat]

Intel: "We did it for the lulz."

Maybe they'll disband the company, make the employees intel janitors, and sell off any assets.

 

[dpodblood]

1) Shitty anti-virus makes computer slow
2) Consumer blames CPU
3) CPU company buys shitty anti-virus
4) CPU company destroys shitty anti-virus
5) Problem solved

 

[DesiPower]

1) Shitty anti-virus makes computer slow
2) Consumer blames CPU
3) CPU company buys shitty anti-virus
4) CPU company destroys shitty anti-virus
5) Problem solved

I loled

 

[dfuze]

Maybe they are trying to slow their chips down so AMD can catch up?

 

[mb]

Heh seems some of us have similar thoughts, but at $7.68B it just doesn't make any sense.

 

[PricklyPete]

The hardware/software combination will make the machine so slow, the virus will just give up and find a better target :^D

I'm not saying it is a good idea...but I sure could see it being a good idea from marketing. Intel...the only chip with built in security.

 

[irishScott]

This, Norton is far better, McAfee is a resource hog

Avira FTW.

 

[lxskllr]

I'm not saying it is a good idea...but I sure could see it being a good idea from marketing. Intel...the only chip with built in security.

I'm just being a smartass. It really isn't a bad idea, but I'd rather run an abacus than have McAfee interacting directly with my hardware. If Intel can get them to shape up, it could be a worthwhile purchase. No software's hopeless if the devs are willing to change.

 

[Genx87]

I'd guess they want to build security devices using their hardware and McAfee's engine.

 

[PricklyPete]

I'm just being a smartass. It really isn't a bad idea, but I'd rather run an abacus than have McAfee interacting directly with my hardware. If Intel can get them to shape up, it could be a worthwhile purchase. No software's hopeless if the devs are willing to change.

True...but I'm pretty sure in McAfee's case...they'd have to start all over. The brand itself does have some clout.

 

[OCGuy]

They didnt actually buy them, Intel just bought a Dell laptop and they added McAfee without asking.

 

[ichy]

McAfee does a lot more than personal anti-virus software. I bet Intel cares al ot more about their business products.

 

[lxskllr]

They didnt actually buy them, Intel just bought a Dell laptop and they added McAfee without asking.

:^D

 

[fire400]

Software engineering for Intel, for one thing. Whether if anyone sees this as a scam or not, they will most likely release products with "ENHANCED SECURITY" stickers.

They'll be able to boast and brag about their 'execute disable bit' projects and offer new motherboard technology since in the 90's they've really influenced the BIOS programming sector, and will probably include new security features that will only come with Intel-based motherboards.

And their influence towards Microsoft will be greater. Plus whatever is happening with their underground Tri-gate research, that will need extremely enhanced security as quantum computing slowly makes it's way into large enterprise research and universities. So don't forget they're still making monster chips for workstations and servers, and can control the security sector as far as what to recommend and offer to large companies that want to buy in bulk. Remember the Pentium D days? Everyone wanted to recommend AMD, but Pentium D's still sold like crazy. They just said "2 cores" and everyone gagged and went out and bought that cheaper sh!t vs. the pricier but much faster Athlon X2's at the time.

Not to mention SSD's. If people get a free one year subscription of AV for buying an Intel SSD? It can be as much as a marketting thing no matter how any tech geek sees and critisizes it if they can't see past the mainstream tunnel vision of it all.

And personally, McAfee AV software sucks compared to a lot of other better stuff out there.