Two acquired tastes that I don’t really like are coming together to form the cat poop and onions combination platter of the technology world.  Intel, the world’s largest maker of computer processors, has announced that it has purchased outright security firm McAfee for a staggering $7.68 billion dollars.  It’s the rare win-win deal for both sides.  Intel gets to diversify beyond its physical product; McAfee suddenly becomes affiliated with the biggest name in computer components on the planet.

“Security is becoming a really big deal,” said Hans Mosesmann of securities firm Raymond James Associates.  “The “security threats that are out there are not going away — you could argue that they are going to get worse — and having a tightly coupled hardware and software is a strategic advantage.”  That’s also what Renee James, software head for Intel, is saying:  “As we look at all of the growth areas for Intel silicon, one of the consistent purchase criteria for both IT managers and consumer is security.  This is a pretty natural step for us.”

Here’s hoping that McAfee’s recent security failures and Intel’s nasty anti-competitive streak won’t lead to bad news for all the poor suckers who depend on McAfee for computer safety and customer service.

Tags: Intel, McAfee, Intel buys McAfee, mergers, acquisitions, Intel buys McAfee for .68 billion dollars, Renee James, Hans Mosesmann, Raymond James Associates, technology news, McAfee bought

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