John McAfee

John McAfee

Born	September 18, 1945
Birth place	Cinderford, Gloucestershire, England
Died	June 23, 2021
Death place	Sant Esteve Sesrovires, Spain
Occupation	Computer programmer, businessman

John David McAfee (September 18, 1945 – June 23, 2021) was a British-American computer programmer and businessman. He was the founder of McAfee, one of the first software companies to develop commercial antivirus software. McAfee's life was marked by his entrepreneurial spirit, controversial public persona, and legal troubles.

Early Life and Education

John McAfee was born in Cinderford, Gloucestershire, England, to an American father and a British mother. He was raised in Salem, Virginia, United States. McAfee attended Roanoke College, where he earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics in 1967. He later pursued a Ph.D. in mathematics at Northeast Louisiana State College, but he was expelled due to inappropriate conduct.

Career

Early Career

McAfee began his career working for NASA's Institute for Space Studies in New York City from 1968 to 1970. He later worked at Xerox, Lockheed Martin, and other technology companies, where he gained experience in software development and computer security.

Founding of McAfee Associates

In 1987, McAfee founded McAfee Associates, a software company that developed one of the first commercial antivirus programs. The company quickly became a leader in the antivirus software market, and McAfee's software was widely used by businesses and individuals to protect their computers from viruses and malware.

Later Ventures

After resigning from McAfee Associates in 1994, McAfee sold his remaining stake in the company. He then pursued various business ventures, including Tribal Voice, which developed one of the first instant messaging programs, and QuorumEx, a company focused on producing herbal antibiotics.

Controversies and Legal Issues

John McAfee's life was marked by numerous controversies and legal issues. In 2012, he was sought for questioning in connection with the murder of his neighbor in Belize, but he fled the country and sought asylum in Guatemala. He was later deported to the United States.

In 2019, McAfee was arrested in the Dominican Republic for allegedly bringing weapons into the country. In 2020, he was arrested in Spain on charges of tax evasion in the United States. He was awaiting extradition to the U.S. when he was found dead in his prison cell in 2021.

Personal Life

McAfee was known for his eccentric lifestyle and outspoken personality. He was married several times and had a passion for adventure and technology. Despite his legal troubles, McAfee remained a popular figure in the tech community and was active on social media.

Legacy

John McAfee's contributions to the field of computer security are significant. His development of antivirus software helped shape the industry and set the standard for future cybersecurity measures. Despite his controversial life, McAfee's impact on technology and business remains influential.

Also see

• McAfee (company)
• Antivirus software
• Cybersecurity
• Entrepreneurship