Computer security software or cybersecurity software is any computer program designed to influence information security . This is often taken in the context of defending computer systems or data, yet can incorporate programs designed specifically for subverting computer systems due to their significant overlap, and the adage that the best defense is a good offense.
62-522: McAfee Corp. ( / ˈ m æ k ə f iː / MAK -ə-fee ), formerly known as McAfee Associates, Inc. from 1987 to 1997 and 2004 to 2014, Network Associates Inc. from 1997 to 2004, and Intel Security Group from 2014 to 2017, is an American global computer security software company headquartered in San Jose, California . The company was purchased by Intel in February 2011, and became part of
124-425: A CASB security company. The acquisition closed January 3, 2018. In March 2021, Symphony Technology Group acquired McAfee Enterprise, including Skyhigh Networks. In January 2022, STG announced that McAfee Enterprise's security service edge (SSE) business would operate as a separate company to be known as Skyhigh Security , built on McAfee Enterprise and Skyhigh Networks. In March 2018, McAfee acquired TunnelBear ,
186-403: A Canadian VPN service . In July 2019, Uplevel Security, a data analytics company using graph theory and machine learning , announced it had been acquired by McAfee. In August 2019, McAfee acquired NanoSec, a container security company. Security software The defense of computers against intrusion and unauthorized use of resources is called computer security . Similarly,
248-493: A board member and was responsible for the daily business operations of Magic Solutions. Rawson was Magic Solutions' public representative, a role that primarily involved conference presentations, and consultancy for the press and industry analysts. In its fourth year, Magic Solutions had registered nearly US$ 6 million in "book" revenue (also known as " unrealized " revenue) with a continually growing customer base, and SupportMagic had received positive press coverage. Under Rawson,
310-452: A company specializing in network security hardware, services, and software products. The acquisition expanded McAfee's business in securing networks and cloud computing services to offer a more comprehensive brand of products. The deal closed on November 19, 2008 at a price of $ 497 million. In January 2009, McAfee announced plans to acquire Endeavor Security, a privately held maker of IPS/IDS technology. The deal closed in February 2009 for
372-511: A complete service history did not exist. Igal Lichtman, president of MicroAge , and one of the three owners, designed a " workflow " for a service management program that enabled staff to effectively run the company's service department. Employing the " C " programming language, and working together with former colleagues and friends from the Israel Defense Forces , Lichtman created the application , "ServiceMagic". Shortly after
434-409: A complete, interactive support center, alongside an animatronic bunny (Magic Solutions' mascot), with both "flying" above the show floor—the company spent more than US$ 250,000 on the display for each trade show event. Occasionally, additions to the original concept, such as the display of life-size photographs of company personnel, were included. In September 1997, the company purchased WINsales, Inc.,
496-405: A cross-licensing agreement with Intel to embed its Wake-on-LAN (WOL) and inventory discovery tools; a deal to embed Ziff Davis ' "Support On Site" content into what became the "SupportMagic Platform"; and an agreement that utilized ServiceWare's "Knowledge-Paks" to form "RightAnswers, Inc." While Pallatta focused on domestic sales, Magic Solutions' international sales were bolstered by its VP in
558-433: A developer of high-performance security information and event management (SIEM) solutions that protect critical information and infrastructure. NitroSecurity solutions reduce risk exposure and increase network and information availability by removing the scalability and performance limitations of security information management. The acquisition closed on November 30, 2011. On February 26, 2013, McAfee announced it had acquired
620-465: A global perspective they are related to the fields of SIGINT and ELINT and approach GEOINT in the global information monitoring perspective. Several instant messaging programs such as ICQ (founded by "former" members of Unit 8200), or WeChat and QQ (rumored 3PLA/4PLA connections ) may represent extensions of these observation apparati. The purpose of these types of software is to remove malicious or harmful forms of software that may compromise
682-422: A host system attempts to secure itself and its assets from malicious interactions, this includes tools to deter both passive and active security threats . Although both security and usability are desired, today it is widely considered in computer security software that with higher security comes decreased usability, and with higher usability comes decreased security. The primary purpose of these types of systems
SECTION 10
#1732779553739744-733: A jointly-owned, independent cyber-security company with the McAfee name. After the deal between the two companies closed, the company was spun back out of Intel on April 4, 2017." Chris Young assumed the CEO position as the company became an independent entity. In 2018, the company unsuccessfully entered talks to sell majority control of McAfee to minority stakeholder Thoma Bravo. In 2018, McAfee also expanded its Security Innovation Alliance partnerships to include companies such as Atos, CyberX, Fidelis Cyber-security, Aujas , and Silver Peak. In July 2019, McAfee began meeting with bankers to discuss returning to
806-439: A leading provider of database security, including vulnerability management, database activity monitoring, database audit, and virtual patching—which ensure databases are protected without impacting performance or availability. The acquisition enabled McAfee to extend its database security portfolio. The acquisition closed on April 6, 2011. On October 4, 2011, McAfee announced its intention to acquire privately owned NitroSecurity ,
868-645: A license agreement with the US Department of Defense . This agreement allowed the DoD to integrate McAfee’s Virus Scan Enterprise and Anti-Spyware Enterprise into the Defense Information Systems Agency’s cyber-security solutions. On April 21, 2010 McAfee sent out a bad anti-virus update ( DAT 5958 ) that crippled millions of corporate and consumer Windows-based computers. On August 19, 2010, Intel announced that it would purchase McAfee for $ 48
930-485: A press editorial calendar , as well as ensuring that company representatives attended trade show exhibitions. The company also developed an international series of sales seminars , and numerous support professionals from the U.S., Canada , and the European Union (EU) were in attendance during the delivery of the series. With the inaugural management team successfully established, Lichtman focused on expanding
992-472: A price of $ 140 million. MX Logic staff were integrated into McAfee's SaaS business unit. On May 25, 2010, McAfee announced a definitive agreement to acquire Trust Digital, a privately held online security company that specialized in security for mobile devices. The acquisition allowed McAfee to extend its services beyond traditional endpoint security and move into the mobile security market. The acquisition closed on June 3, 2010. The price for Trust Digital
1054-583: A sales force automation software company that was based in Seattle , Washington , U.S. The acquisition provided the company with a foothold in the rapidly expanding customer relationship management market and followed the opening of new Magic Solutions offices in Chicago, U.S.; San Jose, U.S.; Toronto , Ontario, Canada; London, U.K.; Frankfurt , Germany ; Munich , Germany; Amsterdam , Netherlands ; and Brussels , Belgium . Lichtman added Florence Schlanger as
1116-580: A share in a deal valued at $ 7.68 billion. In September 2016, Intel announced their strategic partnership with TPG to turn McAfee into an independent cyber-security company as a joint venture. That deal closed on April 3, 2017. CEO David DeWalt resigned in 2011, and McAfee appointed Michael DeCesare and Todd Gebhart as co-presidents. In 2011, McAfee also partnered with SAIC to develop anti-cyber espionage products for use by government and intelligence agencies, along with telecommunications companies. On January 6, 2014, Intel CEO Brian Krzanich announced during
1178-680: A site may obtain malware or spam. On June 6, 2006, McAfee announced that it would acquire Preventsys, a California-based company offering security risk management products. The acquisition cost McAfee under $ 10 million. On October 16, 2006, McAfee announced that it would acquire Israel based Onigma Ltd for $ 20 million. Onigma provides host-based data leakage protection software that prevents intentional and unintentional leakage of sensitive data by internal users. On October 8, 2007, McAfee announced it would acquire SafeBoot Holding B.V. for $ 350 million. SafeBoot provided mobile data security solutions that protected data, devices, and networks against
1240-762: A total purchase price of $ 3.2 million. On May 15, 2009, McAfee announced its intention acquire Solidcore Systems, a privately held security company, for $ 33 million. Solidcore was a maker of software that helped companies protect ATMs and other specialized computers. The acquisition integrated Solidcore's whitelisting and compliance enforcement mechanisms into the McAfee product line. The deal closed on June 1, 2009. On July 30, 2009, McAfee announced plans to acquire managed email and web security vendor MX Logic. The acquisition provided an enhanced range of SaaS-based security services such as cloud-based intelligence, web security, email security, endpoint security and vulnerability assessment. The deal closed on September 1, 2009 at
1302-527: A wide aspect of cyberspace, including devices, applications, systems, networks, or enterprises. Cyber threat modeling can inform organizations with their efforts pertaining to cybersecurity in the following ways: The purpose of these types of systems is usually to restrict access to computers or data while still allowing interaction. Often this involves monitoring or checking credential, separating systems from access and view based on importance, and quarantining or isolating perceived dangers. A physical comparison
SECTION 20
#17327795537391364-415: Is Threat Modeling . Threat modeling is the process of creating and applying mock situations where an attacker could be trying to maliciously access data in cyberspace . By doing this, various profiles of potential attackers are created, including their intentions, and a catalog of potential vulnerabilities are created for the respective organization to fix before a real threat arises. Threat modeling covers
1426-462: Is often made to a shield. A form of protection whose use is heavily dependent on the system owners preferences and perceived threats. Large numbers of users may be allowed relatively low-level access with limited security checks, yet significant opposition will then be applied toward users attempting to move toward critical areas. The purpose of these types of software systems is to monitor access to computers systems and data while reporting or logging
1488-479: Is to restrict and often to completely prevent access to computers or data except to a very limited set of users. The theory is often that if a key, credential, or token is unavailable then access should be impossible. This often involves taking valuable information and then either reducing it to apparent noise or hiding it within another source of information in such a way that it is unrecoverable. A critical tool used in developing software that prevents malicious access
1550-614: The Consumer Electronics Show the name change from McAfee Security to Intel Security. The company's red shield logo would remain, with the firm continuing to operate as a wholly owned Intel subsidiary. John McAfee, who no longer had any involvement in the company, expressed his pleasure at his name no longer being associated with the software. However, as of 2016 the products still bore the McAfee name. On September 7, 2016, Intel sold its majority stake to TPG and entered into an agreement with TPG to turn Intel Security into
1612-483: The " vice president (VP) of Sales" and Rawson was promoted into the position of "VP of Marketing ". Following promotion, Pallatta built a telemarketing sales force that prioritized the minimization of overheads for his department. Pallata and Rawson collaborated to develop a series of "over-the-phone" sales tools that finalized deals in the US$ 50,000 range without the need for a " face-to-face " sales engagement. While
1674-434: The 1980s that achieved a considerable level of success. It transitioned from a retailer of stand-alone computers into a value added reseller and offered LAN installations for local businesses. A significant problem faced by the company after formation was the management of equipment that was sold and returned for service. At the time, a PC-based tracking program that could monitor serial numbers , warranty entitlement and
1736-543: The Intel Security division. In 2017, Intel had a strategic deal with TPG Capital and converted Intel Security into a joint venture between both companies called McAfee. Thoma Bravo took a minority stake in the new company, and Intel retained a 49% stake. The owners took McAfee public on the NASDAQ in 2020, and in 2022 an investor group led by Advent International Corporation took it private again. The company
1798-570: The VP of Client Services and Jon Von Lintig as chief financial officer (CFO). The previous year, Lichtman had hired an ex-Israeli Army friend Efim Gendler as an additional programmer to begin work on a proprietary search engine. Named for its searching style, "Statistical Information Retrieval (SIR)" was similar to early Internet search engines and the technology was eventually licensed to Microsoft for use with its CD-based TechNet knowledge base. Magic Solutions also signed other cross-licensing deals, such as
1860-656: The ValidEdge sandboxing technology. On July 8, 2013 McAfee completed the tender offer for Finnish network firewall design company Stonesoft Oyj worth $ 389 million in cash, or about $ 6.09 a share. The Next Generation Firewall business acquired from Stonesoft was divested to Forcepoint in January 2016. On December 1, 2014, Intel Security announced the acquisition of PasswordBox, a Montreal-based provider of digital identity management solutions. Financial terms were not disclosed. In November 2017, McAfee acquired Skyhigh Networks,
1922-531: The banner of Network Associates in 1998. McAfee, as a result of brief ownership of TIS Labs/NAI Labs/Network Associates Laboratories/McAfee Research, was highly influential in the world of open-source software , as that organization produced portions of the Linux , FreeBSD , and Darwin operating systems, and developed portions of the BIND name server software and SNMP version 3. In 2000, McAfee/Network Associates
McAfee - Misplaced Pages Continue
1984-501: The behavior. Often this is composed of large quantities of low priority data records / logs, coupled with high priority notices for unusual or suspicious behavior. These programs use algorithms either stolen from, or provided by, the police and military internet observation organizations to provide the equivalent of a police Radio scanner . Most of these systems are born out of mass surveillance concepts for internet traffic, cell phone communication, and physical systems like CCTV . In
2046-407: The capabilities of the company's products. The development cycle was brief, as, in accordance with the founder's client-focused principle , new features and functionality were directed by user feedback. Pallatta then built a sixty-person direct sales team and commenced a European distribution channel, with Rawson constructing the infrastructure to support Pallatta's new recruits. Pallatta also became
2108-409: The company consisted of a single programmer in the service of one customer. Magic Solutions eventually accommodated over 300 staff members and a customer base of 6,000. The company reached a yearly revenue sum of US$ 64 million and in 1998 was sold to Network Associates, Inc. (now known as McAfee ) for US$ 110 million in cash. MicroAge , of Mahwah, New Jersey , was a retail computer franchise in
2170-524: The company diversify its security offerings away from just client-based antivirus software by bringing on board its own network and desktop encryption technologies. The FSA team also oversaw the creation of a number of other technologies that were leading edge at the time, including firewall , file encryption , and public key infrastructure product lines. While those product lines had their own individual successes including PowerBroker (written by Dean Huxley and Dan Freedman and now sold by BeyondTrust ),
2232-499: The creation of ServiceMagic, one of MicroAge's largest clients, a " Fortune 500 " company based in Westchester County, New York , U.S., was discarding its mainframe computer and consequently required a help desk application that was compatible with a PC network. Lichtman worked with the client's Information technology (IT) department to modify ServiceMagic and designed a new product, " SupportMagic ". The client installed
2294-454: The defense of computer networks is called network security . The subversion of computers or their unauthorized use is referred to using the terms cyberwarfare , cybercrime , or security hacking (later shortened to hacking for further references in this article due to issues with hacker , hacker culture and differences in white / grey / black 'hat' color identification). The computer security software products industry
2356-425: The fledgling Btrieve -based software and successfully transitioned from a Computer Associates mainframe-based Netman. Following a magazine article on the development of SupportMagic, Lichtman received over one hundred telephone inquires for the software product, an increase in demand that led to the inception of Magic Solutions. Following the creation of Magic Solutions, Lichtman devoted the entirety of his time to
2418-506: The following types of software are used to remove them. These types of software often require extensive research into their potential foes to achieve complete success, similar to the way that complete eradication of bacteria or viral threats does in the physical world. Occasionally this also represents defeating an attackers encryption, such as in the case of data tracing, or hardened threat removal. Magic Solutions, Inc. Magic Solutions International, Inc. (known as Magic Solutions )
2480-551: The growth of antivirus ware always outpaced the growth of the other security product lines. It is fair to say that McAfee remains best known for its anti-virus and anti-spam products. Among other companies bought and sold by McAfee is Trusted Information Systems , which developed the Firewall Toolkit, the free software foundation for the commercial Gauntlet Firewall, which was later sold to Secure Computing Corporation . McAfee acquired Trusted Information Systems under
2542-404: The initial public offering and valued at about $ 8.6 billion based on the outstanding shares listed in its prospectus. McAfee shares were traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange under ticker symbol MCFE, marked its return to the public market after 9 years. In 2020, former McAfee CEO Chris Young left his position and was replaced by Peter Leav. However, the stock was delisted from NASDAQ and the company
McAfee - Misplaced Pages Continue
2604-417: The initiative's development. Vadim Mostov, a Russian programmer who was reputable at the time, was employed by the founder in addition to a sales team. Among the first selection of sales employees were Mike Pallatta, a recent Stevens Institute of Technology (Stevens) electrical engineering ( EE ) graduate, and Andrew Rawson, a former MicroAge customer. During the company's initial growth period, Pallatta became
2666-473: The international arena Barbara Johnson who continued the company's expansion with European, Asian and Latin American distributors. By late-1997, these international accounts represented almost forty percent of Magic Solutions' sales. The company's overseas expansion included a key acquisition in 1996 of SupportMagic Benelux —managed by Cornelis Mudde and Guido Vervelde—Magic Solutions' largest distributor at
2728-404: The intrusion-prevention mode of blocking a perceived attack." In August 2004, McAfee agreed to acquire Foundstone, a vendor of security consulting, training, and vulnerability management software, for $ 86 million. On April 5, 2006, McAfee bought out SiteAdvisor for a reputed $ 70 million in competition with Symantec, a service that warns users if downloading software or filling out forms on
2790-447: The leading European manufacturer of antivirus software, for $ 642 million in stock. On April 2, 2003, McAfee acquired IntruVert Networks for $ 100 million. According to Network World , "IntruVert's technology focus is on intrusion-prevention, which entails not just detecting attacks, but blocking them. The IntruVert product line can be used as a passive intrusion-detection system, just watching and reporting, or it can be used in
2852-404: The market as an IPO. As an IPO , the company was estimated to be valued at $ 8 billion or higher. However, no deal or decision to join the public market was confirmed. Near the end of 2019, McAfee partnered with Google Cloud to integrate McAfee’s Mvision Cloud and endpoint security technology with Google’s cloud infrastructure. In October 2020, McAfee and its shareholders raised $ 740 million in
2914-422: The marketing team expanded to over 35 staff members, and Magic Solutions gained a reputation as the dominant help desk software provider and "thought leader" in the internal IT help desk market. Magic Solutions' primary marketing activity at the time was the presentation of the company's promotional display at trade shows. The Magic Solutions trade show display usually consisted of a space shuttle replica that housed
2976-657: The risk associated with loss, theft, and unauthorized access. Through the acquisition, McAfee became the only vendor to deliver endpoint, network, web, email and data security, as well as risk and compliance solutions. Gerhard Watzinger, CEO of SafeBoot, joined McAfee to lead the Data Protection product business unit. The deal closed on November 19, 2007. On October 30, 2007, McAfee announced plans to acquire ScanAlert for $ 51 million. The acquisition integrated ScanAlert's Hacker Safe service and McAfee's SiteAdvisor rating system to attack website security from both sides. It
3038-594: The sale of its Magic Solutions business to Remedy , a subsidiary of BMC Software early in the year. In mid-2004, the company sold the Sniffer Technologies business to a venture capital backed firm named Network General (the same name as the original owner of Sniffer Technologies), and changed its name back to McAfee to reflect its focus on security-related technologies. In 2006, Dale Fuller became interim CEO when Samenuk resigned and President Kevin Weiss
3100-418: The sales capacity of the company was growing, Lichtman closely monitored product development , based upon a belief that the customer base should determine product direction. As the sales and marketing areas of Magic Solutions flourished, Lichtman did not direct any of the company's budget towards advertising; instead, Rawson worked with the internal public relations (PR) staff to conceive of, and then manage,
3162-418: The security of a computer system. These types of software are often closely linked with software for computer regulation and monitoring. A physical comparison to a doctor, scrubbing, or cleaning ideas is often made, usually with an "anti-" style naming scheme related to a particular threat type. Threats and unusual behavior are identified by a system such as a firewall or an intrusion detection system, and then
SECTION 50
#17327795537393224-499: The services of a well-known pre-IPO executive to preside over the preparation process. By this stage, Network Associates, Inc. (NYSE:NETA, now McAfee ) had entered the help desk market through the 1995 acquisition of two small companies, Vycor and PHD Help Desk. Unsuccessful in its challenge against the two market leaders Magic Solutions and Remedy, Network Associates entered into acquisition discussions with Magic Solutions. On March 25, 1998 Network Associates announced its plan to close
3286-613: The time. In late 1996, Magic Solutions released the Kanji version of SupportMagic, a product that was distributed in Japan by Transcosmos. During the course of its growth, Magic Solutions avoided venture capital and retained its original management team. By 1996, Magic Solutions was competing in a marketplace that was beginning to consolidate. The company faced competitors that were bundling help desk software with their other products, as McAfee did with its anti-virus product, and management
3348-688: Was a company that specialized in help desk automation and asset management software. Based in the East Coast of the United States , the company emerged as an unplanned spin-off from a computer systems integrator , and was later considered one of the East Coast's most successful independent software vendors of the 1990s. Magic Solutions was founded in 1988 by Igal Lichtman and was headquartered in Paramus, New Jersey , U.S. At inception,
3410-406: Was considering either an initial public offering (IPO) or venture capital to fuel further growth. Until this point in time Lichtman had maintained Magic Solutions' independence as a company, but he was forced to make choices about the company's future from a limited set of options. By 1997 Wall Street brokers were actively pursuing Magic Solutions for a public offering and Lichtman then employed
3472-491: Was fired after the company was accused of questionable stock options practices. David DeWalt took over as CEO on April 2, 2007. In 2007, McAfee launched the Security Innovation Alliance (SIA), a program focused on cultivating partnerships with other tech companies and integrating third-party technology with McAfee’s security and compliance risk management technology. On March 11, 2008, McAfee announced
3534-580: Was founded in 1987 as McAfee Associates, named for its founder John McAfee , who resigned from the company in 1994. McAfee was incorporated in the state of Delaware in 1992. In 1993, McAfee stepped down as head of the company, taking the position of chief technology officer before his eventual resignation. Bill Larson was appointed CEO in his place. Network Associates was formed in 1997 as a merger of McAfee Associates, Network General , PGP Corporation and Helix Software . In 1996, McAfee acquired Calgary, Alberta , Canada -based FSA Corporation , which helped
3596-401: Was launched in the second half of the 1970s when computer firms and new IT startups chose alternative paths to offer commercial access control systems to organizational mainframe computer users. These developments were led by IBM 's Resource Access Control Facility and SKK's Access Control Facility 2. Below, various software implementations of Cybersecurity patterns and groups outlining ways
3658-506: Was not disclosed. On July 29, 2010, McAfee announced a definitive agreement to acquire tenCube, a privately held online security company that specialized in anti-theft and data security for mobile devices. The acquisition allowed McAfee to complete its diversification into the mobile security space, and announce its plans to build the next generation mobile platform. The acquisition closed on August 25, 2010. On March 23, 2011, McAfee announced its intention to acquire privately owned Sentrigo ,
3720-977: Was taken private again in March 2022 by a multi-national investor group under the Advent International Corporation , consisting of the Canada Pension Plan , the Singaporean GIC Private Limited , and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority . In May 2022, Peter Leav stepped down and McAfee named Greg Johnson its new CEO. McAfee primarily develops digital-security tools for personal computers and server devices, and more recently, for mobile devices . McAfee brands, products and sub-products include: On June 9, 1998, Network Associates agreed to acquire Dr Solomon's Group plc ,
3782-596: Was the industry's first service to help consumers stay safe as they searched, surfed and shopped. The deal closed on February 7, 2008. On July 31, 2008, McAfee announced it would acquire Reconnex, a maker of data protection appliances and software. Reconnex sold data loss prevention software , designed to prevent sensitive documents and data from leaving corporate networks. The acquisition added content awareness to McAfee's data security portfolio. The $ 46 million deal closed on August 12, 2008. On September 22, 2008, McAfee announced an agreement to acquire Secure Computing ,
SECTION 60
#17327795537393844-600: Was the leading authority in educating and protecting people against the Love Bug or ILOVEYOU virus, one of the most destructive computer viruses in history. At the end of 2000, CEO Bill Larson, President Peter Watkins, and CFO Prabhat Goyal all resigned after the company sustained losses. Company president Gene Hodges served as interim CEO before George Samenuk was appointed CEO in 2001. The company returned to its original name in July 2004. It restructured, beginning with
#738261