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Interview: Ask John McAfee What You Will

samzenpus (5) writes "Founder of the computer anti-virus company McAfee Associates, John McAfee gained world-wide attention eluding Belizean authorities in the jungle. Since we last sat down with John, he's been working on a device that blocks the government's ability to spy on PCs and mobile devices, been asked by the GOP to fix Obamacare, and has seen his last name removed from his old company. The rebranding garnered this response from McAfee: 'I am now everlastingly grateful to Intel for freeing me from this terrible association with the worst software on the planet. These are not my words, but the words of millions of irate users. ... My elation at Intel's decision is beyond words." John has agreed to answer your questions. As usual, ask as many as you'd like, but please, one per post."

12 of 172 comments (clear)

  1. Belize by christurkel · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Do you ever intend to return to Belize to face the charges leveled against you? Or do you enjoy being a fugitive from justice?

    --

    CDE open sourced! https://sourceforge.net/projects/cdesktopenv/
    1. Re:Belize by xevioso · · Score: 5, Informative

      But it is a reasonable question. However, he's already answered it:

      "McAfee, 68, was named by police in Belize as a person of interest in the Nov. 11, 2012, shooting of Gregory Faull, but he fled the small Central American country before he could be questioned.

      McAfee denies involvement in the death of Faull, an Orlando contractor and restaurant owner. But he told Reuters in a telephone interview he would not fight a subpoena for deposition in the lawsuit.

      'Of course not, because the deposition will be here in America. I've told the police in Belize that I will sit for questioning in any neutral country in the world ... I just will not go to Belize," McAfee said.' ...
      The estate is seeking a jury trial and damages in excess of $75,000 on behalf of Faull's 26-year-old daughter."
      http://www.telegraph.co.uk/new...

      A question I would have is, would he agree to a jury trial if he's charged either by Belize or the US.

  2. any new videos? by schneidafunk · · Score: 4, Funny

    Your coke snorting with hookers video was pretty awesome, any new ones coming out soon?

    --
    Some people die at 25 and aren't buried until 75. -Benjamin Franklin
  3. "Buy Belize" ads. by Ungrounded+Lightning · · Score: 4, Interesting

    An observation more than a question, but feel free to comment (especially if you have information on the subject).

    Starting shortly after your Belizian adventure I've noticed a rash of radio advertising, touting Belize as a tax haven and secure retirement site for those ith substantial assets, and trying to sell land to them. These adds always strike me as funny.

    Since their authorities went after you, has Belize suffered a sudden drop in interest as a "safe haven" for the retiring well-off, or perhaps an exodus of others already there?

    --
    Bantam Dominique roosters crow a four-note song. Once you've heard it as "Happy BIRTHday" you can't NOT hear it that way
  4. Re:Didn't we just have an interview with this whac by richy+freeway · · Score: 4, Informative

    You mean like they state, right there, in the second sentence of the summary?

  5. Did you do it? by i+kan+reed · · Score: 4, Funny

    I promise I'm not a cop. You can't say that on the internet if it's not true.

  6. Product Support, please. by dmomo · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I think McAfee anti-virus has a bug. I just installed it scanned my hard drive with it.
    It did not detect that "McAfee" was installed. Are you sure that it's the best malware detector out there?

  7. Device Technology / Licensing by pariah99 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Hey John, I ended up spending a week sailing with friends in Belize last year over summer vacation - lovely place! We actually ended up sailing with a skipper who used to work with you, and he told me you had some wild times together! We didn't spend a lot of time together, but he left a huge impression on me and my sailing buddies. Unfortunately, he very recently passed away, as I'm sure you've heard. Okay, that's a bit besides the point, so on to my question: I was seriously wondering on what kind of technology your device incorporates. Does it use existing technologies like Tor, or is it based on a new protocol. If it's a new thing, is the technology dependent on a number of exit nodes a la Tor, or does it depend on the number of peers using the software in order to obfuscate identifying information. In either case, will you consider releasing the software side of things under an open license?

  8. Re:Why? by Malc · · Score: 5, Funny

    I thought this was pretty funny: John McAfee on How To Uninstall McAfee Antivirus

  9. Google: Doing no harm? by globaljustin · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Mr. McAfee, thanks for taking questions!

    My question: Do you consider Google in its current incarnation to be a "good company"? I ask in the context of revelations about the level of Gmail snooping, Google bus controversy, Google Glass failure, "only criminals want privacy", Larry Page refusing to donate to charity, Google Maps interface changes, etc. You used to be in security, so applying that experience & your recent public issues, do you "trust" Google?

    --
    Thank you Dave Raggett
  10. My only question to him: by Huntr · · Score: 5, Funny

    What the fuck, dude?

  11. Any advice for Peter Norton? by HornWumpus · · Score: 4, Funny

    What advice would you give to Pete to get his name off the second worst software on the planet?

    --
    John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'