McAfee Identity Crisis Contest

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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 onlineย 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

WhoIsMcAfee Avatar
ยซ
ยป

99 responses to “McAfee Identity Crisis Contest”

  1. wagonlady Avatar
    wagonlady

    Positive Corp.

  2. DianeDi Avatar
    DianeDi

    iMockMe

  3. MrLocalhost Avatar
    MrLocalhost

    Why not just name it “Malware”? At least they would not have to lie, saying their product is an anti-virus.

  4. Nameless Avatar
    Nameless

    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

  5. Nameless Avatar
    Nameless

    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

  6. James Avatar

    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

  7. Nameless Avatar
    Nameless

    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:รข๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝOne does not hate as long as one still despises, but only those whom one esteems equal or higher.รข๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ

  8. SL Avatar
    SL

    Congrats AG ๐Ÿ˜‰

    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

  9. sohroub Avatar
    sohroub

    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!!

  10. Your fan, L. Avatar
    Your fan, L.

    โ€œMore important than believe in dreams, is to believe in the strength of fight for them.โ€ (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)

  11. Trish Avatar
    Trish

    Mcapeeons lmao that\’s a winner!

  12. Pappa Noodles Avatar
    Pappa Noodles

    For a simple name try “Spanker” does exactly what it says on the tin, spanks viruseses!

  13. Your Fan, L. Avatar
    Your Fan, L.

    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!

  14. Who is Web Avatar

    Way to go Aryeh, nice job.

    Enjoy!

  15. Nels Avatar
    Nels

    I think XMac says it all.

  16. mcpleague Avatar
    mcpleague

    McA or McAV

  17. Zabarov Avatar
    Zabarov

    How about BoP. Bunch of Pussies.

  18. AKSamaan Avatar
    AKSamaan

    Congratulations Mr. McAfee. What will you do with this new-found freedom?

  19. Bad Uncle Leo Avatar

    My contribution:

    PriapismAV-

    Guaranteed to keep your PC ‘up’ for more than 4-hours in a slightly dangerous condition or your money back.

  20. Philipp Avatar

    I suggest McBaldwin or McIntel ๐Ÿ™‚

  21. Graham Cluley Avatar

    Congrats Aryeh. Sounds like you’re the winner.

    And well done to Mr McAfee himself. Must be a big relief.

  22. Aryeh Goretsky Avatar

    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

  23. Bex Avatar
    Bex

    You’re right it is ‘toe the line’…

  24. Bex Avatar
    Bex

    its ‘tow the line’

  25. mondo Avatar
    mondo

    My suggestion is ‘UseLinux’
    Rows of boxes on shelves with that name in your local BestBuy.
    Dinner, Vancouver, BC.

  26. Kim V Avatar
    Kim V

    I like McAspire. Its meaning is good.

  27. David Ogg Avatar
    David Ogg

    SnakeoilAV security theatre edition

  28. Adriana Avatar
    Adriana

    Maverick AV – giving a tip ofthe hat to it\\’s origins. Today it would have to be Nutcase…khxt

  29. Eddie Avatar

    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.

  30. Jonny Avatar

    Merrin Antivirus

  31. Rebecca Arnold Avatar
    Rebecca Arnold

    VirusX – why be complicated or too deep for the average purchaser of McAfee anti-virus? ๐Ÿ˜‰

  32. erick d Avatar
    erick d

    GriffantCapstone CornerstoneMalwareGCCM

  33. erick d Avatar
    erick d

    Cornerstone!
    Being that it should speak for itself

  34. KAZ Avatar

    You Need a easy but versatile name to allow for adaptation of the company .

    Eร—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

  35. Thomas Tarry Avatar
    Thomas Tarry

    Vaccine

  36. Julia Avatar

    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

  37. Christine Avatar
    Christine

    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.

  38. Chris Avatar

    I’ll sell you secav.com ๐Ÿ˜›

  39. Aryeh Goretsky Avatar

    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

  40. salomesammich Avatar
    salomesammich

    My vote’s for Trojan AV. Good luck, Stuffy.

  41. robsoles Avatar

    lol, norton (facepalm)

  42. JohnDomrzalski Avatar

    How about One Shot Antivirus?

    I even packaged it with a logo for you. ๐Ÿ˜‰

    http://skyrocketmedia.com/oneshot.jpg

  43. Captain Twit Avatar
    Captain Twit

    Centronics Antivirus or CAV for short.

  44. Konrad Markham Avatar

    TINFM Internet Security (This is not fucking McAfee)

  45. David K. Avatar
    David K.

    Guess it’s “toe the line,” I should pay more attention to detail but then again I’m not that bright.

  46. Karel Avatar

    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.

  47. Dan Avatar
    Dan

    GarGod

  48. Billy Bogroll Avatar
    Billy Bogroll

    Securikey AntiVirus has a good ring to it. Saludos from Lima.

  49. Inspector Clouseau Avatar
    Inspector Clouseau

    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

  50. sandwillow2 Avatar
  51. David K. Avatar
    David K.

    Their… goddammit, hate when I do that.

  52. David K. Avatar
    David K.

    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.

  53. Peter Avatar

    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 ๐Ÿ™‚

    They might as well call it Baldwin Corp.

  54. Tim Avatar
    Tim

    Mchoo? Corp.

  55. Stephan Avatar
    Stephan

    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.

  56. Marc Avatar

    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

  57. m Avatar
    m

    Stay the funk out

  58. Markus Avatar

    Anna AntiVirus
    AV-Save!
    Good luck for both of us ๐Ÿ˜€

  59. Jimmy Avatar
    Jimmy

    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.)

  60. Steffan Avatar
    Steffan

    InterPath

  61. Inspector Clouseau Avatar
    Inspector Clouseau

    TURD TECH

  62. bRonCOde Avatar
    bRonCOde

    YAM or YAMA : \” Youngsters Against MacAfee \”Though this had been used already ๐Ÿ˜‰

  63. Crablin Avatar
    Crablin

    Call it:

    EnviroFutureWIN.

    PS. Mr. McAfee: living legend, brother. Respect.

  64. Jokerface Avatar
    Jokerface

    J-Central Anti-Virus

  65. Jokerface Avatar
    Jokerface

    A-Central Anti-virus orJ-Central Anti-virus

  66. SL Avatar
    SL

    * 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.

  67. Dylan Avatar

    Gloster Anti-virus
    or Lazzoni Anti-Virus

  68. jeff Avatar
    jeff

    Nova Antivirus

  69. Gil Avatar
  70. Gil Avatar
    Gil

    Snappy

  71. Dave Avatar
    Dave

    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

  72. A.D. Millennium Avatar

    Analware Anti-virus(that way they can continue fucking people in the ass and not drag your name down with it)

  73. RiCARDO Avatar
    RiCARDO

    Brain Security Corp.

  74. Who is Web Avatar

    ……….SaPita………
    Still a Pain in the ass

    ยฏ\_(ใƒ„)_/ยฏ

  75. David K. Avatar
    David K.

    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.

  76. RealTerryPatton Avatar
    RealTerryPatton

    Belize Anti-Polize

  77. Tron Avatar
    Tron

    “EfficiencyAV” plain boring but might reflect what they love to lie about in their product after all … ๐Ÿ˜‰

    I don’t really care about winning here, but I love meeting crazy nerds ๐Ÿ˜‰

    “No my son, only poor people go crazy, rich people become excentric!” ~Lionel Luthor

    Have a good one!

  78. Luis Avatar
    Luis

    “ONE PENNY ONLY” corp.

    What else ? ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Keep on fighting bro

    Best

  79. Charles Bucher Avatar

    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…

  80. Dailen Avatar
    Dailen

    Crappy Antivirus or Bogware or Worthlessware

  81. Brett Avatar
    Brett

    “Why bother? Let’s just pay the NSA to be a helpdesk that doesn’t snitch.” Ticker symbol MANS

  82. Jonathan Avatar
    Jonathan

    One of two suggestions:

    1. Pioneer antivirus

    2. Relevant AV

    Keep up the good work John.

  83. Masum Avatar
    Masum

    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.

  84. Brad Avatar
    Brad

    Intellicide

  85. Joe Albert Avatar

    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….

  86. Ryan Avatar
    Ryan

    How about just MAV

  87. Dave Dowling Avatar

    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.

  88. Brian Avatar
    Brian

    @Rafael
    Hahaa, some brilliant names there ๐Ÿ™‚

    We should tweet them to @mcafee_truth who seems not not like John at all

  89. Dave O. Avatar
    Dave O.

    Eefacm AV!

  90. IcyQueen Avatar
    IcyQueen

    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:)

  91. Brian Avatar
    Brian

    The “I Cant Believe This Antivirus Software Is Not A Virus” AV Software

  92. G. Avatar

    “Virulenza V”
    I just like it.

  93. Rafael Avatar
    Rafael

    @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).

  94. Johan Von VanVerrenburg XVIII Avatar
    Johan Von VanVerrenburg XVIII

    Hindenburg Cyber-Security 2014โ„ข.

  95. Rafael Avatar
    Rafael

    thesoftwareformerlyknownasmcafee, ifbelizewas antivirus, undeletable provirus.
    You choose ๐Ÿ˜‰

  96. oifhax Avatar
    oifhax

    How about McAfee but pronounced the correct way… i have always had issues with the pronunciation, its not MacAfee.

  97. Brian Avatar
    Brian

    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 ๐Ÿ™‚

  98. Daniel Avatar

    BenWare – “Ben” is often used as an antonym for “Mal” malevolent/benevolent. BenWare > Malware