Let’s help McAfee Corp. clean up my name by finding them a new one and end their “Identity Crisis”.
It seems that the big honchos at McAfee Corp. have decided to set me free once and for all from the negative impact that our shared name has brought to my brand and image.
In light of recent declarations by their CMO, Penny Baldwin, and her PR crew expressing their interest in renaming and rebranding the software company that I created and named after myself long ago, I have decided to reach out to the online community to ask for help in moving this process forward.
I would be thrilled to finally free myself, my image, and my name (which I had long before I created McAfee Associates, and am far too old to change.) In an effort to avoid years of increasing public humiliation, public relations nightmares, and negative associations with a company who’s recent reputation has been less than stellar in it’s industry, I would like to make the following offer to anyone interested.
Help me compile a list of possible new names for McAfee Corp. by February 1st 2014 (Name ideas should be posted in the comment section of this post). I will personally provide the list to Mrs Baldwin and the PR gentleman who does not allow anyone in the company to say my name (at least my last name). If the name that you come up with is selected and used to rename the company that currently bears my name, I will provide you with one full year subscription of Norton Antivirus Software and treat you to dinner in a city of your choosing. Let’s not hesitate for a minute to assist everyone involved with this task and tremendous opportunity.
My sincerest thanks,
John McAfee


January 19, 2014 at 12:01 am
Positive Corp.
January 14, 2014 at 3:29 pm
iMockMe
January 12, 2014 at 2:50 pm
Why not just name it “Malware”? At least they would not have to lie, saying their product is an anti-virus.
January 11, 2014 at 1:50 am
It’s a pitty…
…for every one who tried, was inspired and dreamed of winning this competition and to receive the honor to approach the cyber magician more than distance between us and your computer monitor.
I believe this was a unique opportunity and others will not to happen. It is very likely that we will continue living as much as possible like a way of trying to compensate for the lost.
But I also believe that there is none beauty in defeat just as there is none beauty in not trying.
If we do not get out of bed with a determination to face the obstacles, who will do it for us?
The most important is to believe in our dreams, no matter how stupid they may seem in the eyes of others because, actually, they do not understand that life is the now, not the next. Life is the today, not the tomorrow because it may not exist for anyone who has throat cancer.
So why so many words of irony and pain of some people? Is not that what life boils down. Life is not made of irony and painful words and yes, it made of love and simplicity.
I wanted to say to mr. McAfee that in this battle called “approximation” your fans tried, at least get it.
My sincere wishes to the winner of the contest, if there is any. I wish him that this dinner will be beneficial to both.
For those who did not win: be able to live the maximum as they can. I suppose is that what an idol can expect from his fans.
Thank you for your info, James!
Best wishes to everybody,
Nameless
January 11, 2014 at 1:44 am
It’s a pitty…
…for everyone who tried, was inspired and dreamed of winning this competition and to receive the honor to approach the cyber magician more than distance between us and your computer monitor.
I believe this was a unique opportunity and others will not to happen. It is very likely that we will continue living as much as possible like a way of trying to compensate for the lost.
But I also believe that there is none beauty in defeat just as there is none beauty in not trying.
If we do not get out of bed with a determination to face the obstacles, who will do it for us?
The most important is to believe in our dreams, no matter how stupid they may seem in the eyes of others because, actually, they do not understand that life is the now, not the next. Life is the today, not the tomorrow because it may not exist for anyone who has throat cancer.
So why so many words of irony and pain of some people? Is not that what life boils down. Life is not made of irony and painful words and yes, it made of love and simplicity.
I wanted to say to mr. McAfee that in this battle called “approximation” your fans tried, at least get it.
My sincere wishes to the winner of the contest, if there is any. I wish him that this dinner will be beneficial to both.
For those who did not win: be able to live the maximum as they can. I suppose is that what an idol can expect from his fans.
Thank you for your info, James!
Best wishes to everybody,
Nameless
January 9, 2014 at 11:38 pm
It would appear the contest is over, as Intel announced the name change yesterday – news that I’m sure has elated you John. The product will now be known as Intel Security
While I am thrilled for you in finally ridding your name from a product you have not been associated with in decades I am also saddened in losing the opportunity to possibly win the chance to meet you for dinner here in Montreal.
I wish you nothing but the best and am following your work at Future Tense with great anticipation.
And if you and your wife are ever free for dinner while you are here in Montreal I’d be honoured to buy it!
Best Wishes
January 9, 2014 at 11:21 pm
Well, many things come out of the virtual world for the paper and the paper to reality. If this is a game or not, who knows? What matters is that attempts were made since the most in love to the most sarcastic.All things that they say, critics and sarcastic, deep down at the bottom, are comical to all them.All they are being the true expression of a wise sentence that Nietzsche said:�One does not hate as long as one still despises, but only those whom one esteems equal or higher.�
January 9, 2014 at 12:31 am
Are these comments real? You people are retarded!!! U honestly think they Will take a name from a comment section from John’s crazy ass? No!
How about Shitty Inc. Cause Internet security is a joke!!
January 9, 2014 at 12:11 am
“More important than believe in dreams, is to believe in the strength of fight for them.” (Idon’t know who said it… :()
Hello, mr. McAffe!
So, I believe that I am a fighter because my dream is to win this opportunity to meet someone who inspires me every day of my life to moving forward. Always!
My suggestions for today is:
Blindage,
Viena and
Irvine.
Good luck to everybody!
Thank you, mister McAfee!
Your fan, L. (the first letter of my name)
January 8, 2014 at 6:49 pm
Mcapeeons lmao that\’s a winner!
January 8, 2014 at 6:44 pm
For a simple name try “Spanker” does exactly what it says on the tin, spanks viruseses!
January 8, 2014 at 1:25 am
Hello, mr. McAfee!Thanks you for this opportunity to participate of something so great!I searched for a different name during hours. But it seems impossible to find one that still not exist. Can I suggest several names and participate for many times? It\’s called will to win. Lol.Well, let\’s go! These are some of my suggestions:Poseidon (A safe navigation with Poseidon);Krait (Deadly for invaders);Tarantula (We take care of your web);Cosmos (Oh, none suggestion of slogan!);Alcatraz (Very safely);Master Safe, homochromy, Medusa, Tiresias, Nostradamus (Without suggestion of slogan);Horus (The All-Seeing Eye);But from what I\’ve researched, there are already softwares with these names.So I found this. According to Google, does not yet exist:Out of Danger (inviolable!)The name of an antivirus should be a single word or not. A name like this can to differentiate to the other competitors and to show a safe area.I hope you can appreciate them. Thank you, mr. McAfee!Whatever your choice, male or female, admirer or not, I wish good luck to everybody!
January 7, 2014 at 5:23 pm
I think XMac says it all.
January 7, 2014 at 2:40 pm
McA or McAV
January 7, 2014 at 2:02 pm
How about BoP. Bunch of Pussies.
January 7, 2014 at 1:25 pm
Congratulations Mr. McAfee. What will you do with this new-found freedom?
January 7, 2014 at 12:57 pm
My contribution:
PriapismAV-
Guaranteed to keep your PC ‘up’ for more than 4-hours in a slightly dangerous condition or your money back.
January 7, 2014 at 12:57 pm
I suggest McBaldwin or McIntel
January 7, 2014 at 8:41 am
Hello,
I believe I came closest.
http://www.zdnet.com/passing-the-red-shield-intel-security-to-replace-mcafee-brand-7000024869/
I will have to get back to you on a restaurant/location.
Regards,
Aryeh Goretsky
January 7, 2014 at 12:51 pm
Congrats Aryeh. Sounds like you’re the winner.
And well done to Mr McAfee himself. Must be a big relief.
January 7, 2014 at 12:59 pm
DeCafee
January 7, 2014 at 6:11 pm
Way to go Aryeh, nice job.
Enjoy!
January 9, 2014 at 7:08 am
Congrats AG
It’s such an uninspired name though. I told a clleague about the name change today, as my McAfee Moment, and his response was:
“Oh yeah because THAT doesn’t sound like bloatware at all” lol
December 28, 2013 at 5:43 am
My suggestion is ‘UseLinux’
Rows of boxes on shelves with that name in your local BestBuy.
Dinner, Vancouver, BC.
December 26, 2013 at 11:09 pm
I like McAspire. Its meaning is good.
December 26, 2013 at 4:25 am
SnakeoilAV security theatre edition
December 23, 2013 at 1:36 pm
Maverick AV – giving a tip ofthe hat to it\\’s origins. Today it would have to be Nutcase…khxt
December 23, 2013 at 5:16 am
Hi John,
I lived north of the border between Mexico and Belize for 5 years. It is true, corruption runs rampant around the area. Need not mention the Mexican cartel nor the police force which I had to bribe over and over again. I do believe your story, as I listened to your interviews on Art Bell and C2C. Stay safe, and trust me, it is not a good idea to befriend any ‘gangs’. Been there done that and they have very little loyalty. I took my Mexican wife to live in Asia, it was good to see some ‘orderly conduct’ in the legal system… US? I do not think I will ever go back. You know why you left there in the first place, right. Peace.
December 22, 2013 at 6:07 pm
Merrin Antivirus
December 18, 2013 at 11:35 pm
VirusX – why be complicated or too deep for the average purchaser of McAfee anti-virus?
December 18, 2013 at 4:27 am
GriffantCapstone CornerstoneMalwareGCCM
December 18, 2013 at 4:18 am
Cornerstone!
Being that it should speak for itself
December 17, 2013 at 8:48 pm
You Need a easy but versatile name to allow for adaptation of the company .
E×STORM … SPY HUNTER … E*FIRE
SECURE=LIFE because now days your life is in your computer so don’t leave your life unprotected use SECURE=LIFE the only software I trust to keep my life secure… IS
SECURE=LIFE
December 17, 2013 at 7:05 pm
Vaccine
December 17, 2013 at 11:41 am
I’d love to go to dinner. So , here is my hat.
Virus formerly known as McAfee. – Fun one
Eefcm – It look authoritative.
Solution 24 – catchy AKA Solution X
Even if none of these names are not selected. I’d like to go to dinner. Though, I do not think you could not take me McMurdo Base Antarctica for dinner. I think we could find somewhere we both could enjoy.
Regards,
Julia
December 17, 2013 at 3:08 am
Call it v-Rex. Short name. Connotes power, strength, easy to spell, remember. Sounds mighty but friendly. Loved the interview John on Coast To Coast in October.
December 16, 2013 at 4:16 pm
I’ll sell you secav.com
December 16, 2013 at 9:29 am
Hello,
On the consumer side, I think they would be likely to brand it as Intel Anti Virus for the the anti-malware solution, and Intel Internet Security for the security suite.
On the business side, perhaps they will bring back the Intel LANDesk Virus Protect moniker, which is the product Intel had in the mid-1990s
Regards,
Aryeh Goretsky
December 16, 2013 at 5:33 am
My vote’s for Trojan AV. Good luck, Stuffy.
December 16, 2013 at 5:24 am
lol, norton (facepalm)
December 16, 2013 at 4:33 am
How about One Shot Antivirus?
I even packaged it with a logo for you.
http://skyrocketmedia.com/oneshot.jpg
December 16, 2013 at 3:03 am
Centronics Antivirus or CAV for short.
December 14, 2013 at 8:13 am
TINFM Internet Security (This is not fucking McAfee)
December 14, 2013 at 2:40 am
How about PC-Condom?In any case, even if I don\’t win, let me know when you\’re in Suriname, I\’d love to have dinner.
December 14, 2013 at 12:32 am
GarGod
December 13, 2013 at 11:53 pm
Securikey AntiVirus has a good ring to it. Saludos from Lima.
December 13, 2013 at 8:31 pm
HAMSTER SECURITY “WE SAFELY CRAWL UP YOUR BUTT”
V-HAMSTER for the AV division
G-HAMSTER for the Government Division
X-HAMSTER for the Porn Division
December 13, 2013 at 6:37 pm
Mc-slow-ya-down
December 13, 2013 at 5:56 pm
They won’t change the name because deep down they wish they were you. Suit wearing tow the company line douchekatard fucksticks are what is wrong with this country.
That being said I’ll say MAV Antivirus just in case because it is the safe and douche-ee thing to do. There new “spokesman” could be a 1985 Kawasaki Ninja 900.
December 13, 2013 at 5:58 pm
Their… goddammit, hate when I do that.
December 14, 2013 at 3:21 am
Guess it’s “toe the line,” I should pay more attention to detail but then again I’m not that bright.
January 3, 2014 at 11:57 pm
its ‘tow the line’
January 4, 2014 at 12:01 am
You’re right it is ‘toe the line’…
December 13, 2013 at 5:48 pm
You know they ain’t gonna choose a name from your list.
But I guess you’re trying to eliminate the cool names out there
They might as well call it Baldwin Corp.
December 13, 2013 at 4:07 pm
Mchoo? Corp.
December 13, 2013 at 3:06 pm
McAronee
People can still identify with it because compared to the old name only two letters changed.
Plus it will forever be associated with something most people have a lot of positive experience with.
They could also keep the red logo and reinterpret it as a plate and red pasta sauce. Yummi.
December 13, 2013 at 2:04 pm
John,
Contact me if you are still in Montreal I will treat you to dinner.
As far as the name I would call it
Protect Av
December 13, 2013 at 12:55 pm
Stay the funk out
December 13, 2013 at 11:10 am
Anna AntiVirus
AV-Save!
Good luck for both of us
December 13, 2013 at 10:00 am
SAV – Shiva AntiVirus (Shiva Corp.)
VAV – Vishnu AntiVirus (Vishnu Corp.)
MAV – Momentum AntiVirus (Momentum Corp.)
PAV – Proton AntiVirus (Proton Corp.)
TAV – Terminator AntiVirus (Terminator Corp.)
December 13, 2013 at 4:57 am
InterPath
December 13, 2013 at 4:28 am
TURD TECH
December 13, 2013 at 4:08 am
YAM or YAMA : \” Youngsters Against MacAfee \”Though this had been used already
December 13, 2013 at 3:55 am
Call it:
EnviroFutureWIN.
PS. Mr. McAfee: living legend, brother. Respect.
December 13, 2013 at 3:41 am
A-Central Anti-virus orJ-Central Anti-virus
December 13, 2013 at 3:43 am
J-Central Anti-Virus
December 13, 2013 at 3:05 am
* Laffer Antivirus (hat tip to Leisure Suit Larry)
* Lagware (because thats what they cause)
* BadBoyfriend (because they keep showing up and whining for your attention like a bad boybriend)
* “He who must not be named” Company (wtf really? They won’t say your name?)
* Voldemort SecurityWare
McCafe’ would be cute since that is how so many people try to pronounce your name but alas, Mickey D’s already too that one for their coffee.
December 13, 2013 at 2:59 am
Gloster Anti-virus
or Lazzoni Anti-Virus
December 13, 2013 at 2:48 am
Nova Antivirus
December 13, 2013 at 2:23 am
ViLab
December 13, 2013 at 2:20 am
Snappy
December 13, 2013 at 2:02 am
IVAn-jenn
Named for Ivanovsky(discovered first virus) and Jenner(Smallpox vaccine).
the program accomplishes two goals, detection(Ivanovsky) and vaccination/destruction(Jenner)
Contains the letters:
AV: (anti-virus)
In – jen: (inject)
IV: (intravenous) connotations of medicine
December 13, 2013 at 1:58 am
Analware Anti-virus(that way they can continue fucking people in the ass and not drag your name down with it)
December 13, 2013 at 1:56 am
Brain Security Corp.
December 13, 2013 at 1:52 am
……….SaPita………
Still a Pain in the ass
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
December 13, 2013 at 1:39 am
Replace the M in the shield with a V, Vagina Antivirus.
“Don’t be a pussy with your computer’s safety.”
Okay, I’ll get back to you.
December 13, 2013 at 1:34 am
Belize Anti-Polize
December 13, 2013 at 1:32 am
“EfficiencyAV” plain boring but might reflect what they love to lie about in their product after all …
I don’t really care about winning here, but I love meeting crazy nerds
“No my son, only poor people go crazy, rich people become excentric!” ~Lionel Luthor
Have a good one!
December 13, 2013 at 1:18 am
“ONE PENNY ONLY” corp.
What else ?
Keep on fighting bro
Best
December 13, 2013 at 1:17 am
Call it Patriot DefenseGives it a good ring. Makes it a no-brainer solution to those handing out gov\’t contracts.Wasnt sure if you were going for sarcasm here or what…
December 13, 2013 at 1:14 am
Crappy Antivirus or Bogware or Worthlessware
December 13, 2013 at 1:01 am
“Why bother? Let’s just pay the NSA to be a helpdesk that doesn’t snitch.” Ticker symbol MANS
December 13, 2013 at 12:49 am
One of two suggestions:
1. Pioneer antivirus
2. Relevant AV
Keep up the good work John.
December 13, 2013 at 12:37 am
Sanati-Security Suit A play on the word \\”sanitise\\” which means to rid of germs or dirt through sterilising. Notice the three \\”S\\”s also has a phonemic loop (similar to Co-ca-co-la). A creative logo can be generated using the three S\\’s too.
December 13, 2013 at 12:30 am
Intellicide
December 13, 2013 at 12:14 am
They Should have named it “Mccrappy” Anti-Virus as soon as you left because its been crappy ever since.”Mc” also being a prefix for “McDonalds” as well , they could up the perceived Value in the eyes of the Public by giving the software out with Big Macs….
December 12, 2013 at 11:55 pm
How about just MAV
December 12, 2013 at 11:48 pm
My suggestion for a name is: They fork out the going consultant rate for me, you and 3-5 top notch name recognition marketers or such, to sit down for a day or 4 here in Canada somewhere to brainstorm a new name for them!
A nice catchy, easy to remember one, that should make them r i c h. Edit this up, and mail it.
December 12, 2013 at 11:38 pm
Eefacm AV!
December 12, 2013 at 11:34 pm
MyCoffee Antivirus.
Just a slight change in pronunciation => cleaned person identity, kept brand identity, created indication that this antivirus is everyone’s cup of… coffee. (Preferred over tea anyway.)
Greetings from AVG:)
December 12, 2013 at 11:24 pm
The “I Cant Believe This Antivirus Software Is Not A Virus” AV Software
December 12, 2013 at 11:23 pm
“Virulenza V”
I just like it.
December 12, 2013 at 11:19 pm
@Brian: your comment wasnt out while I wrote my comment.Obviously a brilliant idea.Oh, and id like to add \”dontcallitmcafee\”, or \”Delete\”(sounds kind of catchy).
December 12, 2013 at 11:39 pm
@Rafael
Hahaa, some brilliant names there
We should tweet them to @mcafee_truth who seems not not like John at all
December 12, 2013 at 11:18 pm
Hindenburg Cyber-Security 2014™.
December 12, 2013 at 11:16 pm
thesoftwareformerlyknownasmcafee, ifbelizewas antivirus, undeletable provirus.
You choose
December 12, 2013 at 11:14 pm
How about McAfee but pronounced the correct way… i have always had issues with the pronunciation, its not MacAfee.
December 12, 2013 at 11:08 pm
I\’m guessing \”McFuckUpYourComputer\” is out, as is, the \”The Company Formally Known as McAfee\”; how about something totally innocuous and corporate, \”IAV\” (Intel Anti Virus), with a jingle of course.Perfect harmony, utterly crap software that slows down your computer requiring you to buy faster a processor
December 12, 2013 at 11:07 pm
BenWare – “Ben” is often used as an antonym for “Mal” malevolent/benevolent. BenWare > Malware