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Posts Tagged ‘McAfee’

McAfee Cautions of Hardware Assaults on Windows 8 Computers

January 3rd, 2012

McAfee the security company, which has published its 2012 threat forecasts, states that the security mechanisms incorporated into Microsoft’s Windows 8 operating system will help in preventing assaults against the OS, as a result, hackers will be forced to develop malicious software that will straight aim at the hardware.

Essentially, the development of the bootloader security within Windows 8 utilizes BIOS the legacy protocol for warding off hacks, researchers have demonstrated, says McAfee. However, as the integrated widespread interface of firmware has been developed, attackers will have to create fresh malware for getting around this security feature.

Taking cue from this progress, Intel too has embarked on designing one unified firmware interface that’ll put security booting to task. Naturally, hackers will be prompted for creating malware, which will tackle these fresh protection measures because of the Windows 8 security mechanisms.

A key explanation for this forecast revolves around enhanced Windows 8 operating system with the safeguards for security continuing on it, consequently, making McAfee anticipate that the hackers’ assaults will specifically target hardware rather than attempt at exploiting security vulnerabilities within the OS.

The security company’s forecasts in addition revolve around the notion wherein attackers are expected to utilize particular utilities for affecting the BIOS, graphics processor utilities as well as MBRs (master boot records). It may be interesting to note that while anti-virus firms act seriously towards stopping these assaults, hackers apparently realize that attacking loopholes in hardware is worthier, given the new features of Windows 8 operating system. Besides, attackers have fast made their threats compatible with changes to have as varied as a comfortable access of an end-user’s personal computer to being capable of intercepting a victim’s online banking session.

In the meantime, McAfee as well forecasted that hackers will keep on getting attracted to assaults targeted against mobile devices. The reason being, smart phones, which people frequently utilize for operations such as transactions related to finance, aid in making them extremely attractive amongst hackers. Accordingly, just like criminals managed in infiltrating banking software running on computers, so also will they for similar software within mobile devices, McAfee reports.

Source:http://www.spamfighter.com/News-17247-McAfee-Cautions-of-Hardware-Assaults-on-Windows-8-Computers.htm

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McAfee Predicts the Potential Security Threats in 2012 for Windows 8

December 30th, 2011

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McAfee a well known entity in computer security has released their predictions for the upcoming threats for the year 2012.The PDF which was released recently predicts the upcoming security threats for mobiles,embedded systems and the computer specific threats including the rootkits that might pose a threat for the upcoming Windows 8 Operating System slated for release in the second half of 2012.

The report also acknowledges the efforts Microsoft have put to make the next and the best operating system till date to make it fool proof against any sorts of attacks,but it also raises a concern about the hackers growing interest in hacking into the system using the rootkits ,Neowin reports.

Rootkits are used to subvert both the operating system and security software, while bootkits attack encryption and can replace legitimate boot loaders. These are advanced techniques to intercept encryption keys and passwords, and even subvert driver-signing defenses employed by some OS’s. Attacking hardware and firmware is not easy, but success there would allow attackers to create persistent malware “images” in network cards, hard drives, and even system BIOS. We expect to see more effort put into hardware and firmware exploits and their related real-world attacks throughout 2012 and beyond. Advances in the Windows 8 bootloader security feature have already caused researchers to show how they can be subverted through legacy BIOS; meanwhile, the product has not even been fully released yet.

We have already seen the first BootKit for Windows 8 which was demonstrated at the MalCon conference in india earlier this year,though the maker of the Bootkit handed over the code and some suggestions to Microsoft which will benefit the operating system to be more secured than before,we can expect a polished product from Microsoft in the later part of the year.

Source:http://windows8beta.com/2011/12/mcafee-predicts-the-potential-security-threats-in-2012-for-windows-8

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Tags: McAfee security

McAfee & Intel Tag Team Computer Security

September 15th, 2011

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To combat viral threats McAfee is working with Intel to create new sophisticated ways of preventing attacks, combining software and hardware in the virtual war.

Today’s cybercriminals are familiar with current operating systems and can easily create, navigate and implant viruses in smartphones, tablets and computers. McAfee and Intel are working together to create a new security paradigm, offering security beyond a computer’s operating system.
Their collaboration is called DeepSafe and combines hardware and software to create sophisticated security measures.

“McAfee DeepSAFE uses hardware features already in the Intel processors to provide security beyond the OS,” said Todd Gebhart, co-president of McAfee.

DeepSafe technology allows for hardware-assisted security to provide viral protection from a deeper security footprint. Operating below the operating system, it can proactively detect and prevent advanced persistent threats (APT) and malware.

“From this unique vantage point, DeepSAFE can apply new techniques to deliver a whole new generation of protection in real time to prevent malicious activity and not just detect infections.”

Traditional security measures rely solely on software protection. By recruiting hardware in the war against viruses, traditional viruses will be easier to detect and remove.

“At McAfee our customers and partners trust us to help them stay ahead of the cybercriminals and keep their business protected,” said Michael DeCesare, co-president of McAfee.

“This technology and our joint collaboration with Intel is the next evolution of security and will enable McAfee to continue to be the trusted security provider to our largest and most complex customers.”

The announcement was made at the Intel Developer Forum held in San Francisco, and the technology is expected to be incorporated in next generation computers.

Source:http://www.smartoffice.com.au/Technology/Industry/F3G3U5K3?page=1

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Tags: INTEL McAfee security

Intel and McAfee Reveal DeepSAFE Tech

September 15th, 2011

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ZoomTuesday during the Intel Developers Forum, newly-acquired and now wholly-owned subsidiary McAfee demonstrated DeepSAFE, a technology that allows McAfee to develop hardware-assisted security products to take advantage of a “deeper” security footprint.

According to the company, the tech resides underneath the computer’s operating system to gain better sight on deeply-rooted malware that typically embeds themselves outside the OS to evade current security solutions. McAfee DeepSAFE technology actually provides a direct view of system memory and processor activity that other solutions currently can’t access, and will expose the rootkit in real-time as it is trying to hide malware.

“McAfee DeepSAFE technology sits beyond the operating system (and close to the silicon) allowing McAfee products to have an additional vantage point in the computing stack to better protect systems,” the company said. “McAfee anticipates the McAfee DeepSAFE technology will be a foundation for a number of hardware-assisted security products that take advantage of a ‘deeper’ security footprint which will work in conjunction with McAfee Endpoint Security Platform that so many organizations trust to protect their endpoints and information.”

Todd Gebhart, co-president of McAfee, said that the new tech won’t be embedded directly on Intel’s processors, but will instead take advantage of hardware features already included in Intel’s current Core lineup and processors in the future. Consider the software as “hardware assisted” and optimized to run on Intel’s technology, using Intel VTx technology available on all Intel Core i3, i5, i7 processors and vPro platforms. Intel VTx technology is available for use by anyone.

“This is a tremendous shift for McAfee and one of the biggest innovations in the security industry’s history,” said Todd Gebhart, co-president of McAfee. “McAfee DeepSAFE uses hardware features already in the Intel processors to provide security beyond the OS. From this unique vantage point, DeepSAFE can apply new techniques to deliver a whole new generation of protection in real time to prevent malicious activity and not just detect infections.”

McAfee said that the DeepSAFE technology runs with Microsoft Windows 7, but the company anticipates that it will also run with Windows 8 when it is released — there’s even a potential for Android support. The McAfee DeepSAFE technology that Paul Otellini discussed in his demo during the Intel Developers Forum early this week is currently in beta. However, additional details and technology specifics will be forthcoming, McAfee said.

“By combining the features of existing Intel hardware and innovations in security software, Intel and McAfee are driving innovation in the security industry by providing a new way to protect computing devices,” said Renée James, senior vice president and general manager of the Software and Services Group at Intel and the Chairman of McAfee. “We are truly excited to introduce this technology upon which we will deliver new solutions.”

Source:http://www.tomshardware.com/news/McAfee-DeepSAFE-malware-rootkit-Paul-Otellini,13436.html

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Tags: computer INTEL McAfee

McAfee Placed In The “Leaders” Quadrant of Gartner’s Magic Quadrant

August 15th, 2011

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McAfee is at the top of its game in the secure email gateway market, at least according to research firm Gartner, which placed the company in the “Leaders” quadrant of its Magic Quadrants for Secure Email Gateways.

Gartner has so-called “Magic Quadrants” for a variety of specific markets that indicate how various companies stack up against the competition. The quadrants are defined as follows on Gartner’s methodologies page, with the Leaders quadrant being the top of the heap:

Leaders execute well against their current vision and are well positioned for tomorrow.
Visionaries understand where the market is going or have a vision for changing market rules, but do not yet execute well.
Niche Players focus successfully on a small segment, or are unfocused and do not out-innovate or outperform others.
Challengers execute well today or may dominate a large segment, but do not demonstrate an understanding of market direction.

Gartner cited the breadth of McAfee’s portfolio, which includes both on-premises and SaaS SEG solutions, as well as its well-established malware research as reasons for its inclusion in the Leaders quadrant.

Source:http://hothardware.com/News/McAfee-Placed-In-The-Leaders-Quadrant-of-Gartners-Magic-Quadrant/

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Intel completes $7.68 billion McAfee purchase

March 1st, 2011

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Intel announced Monday that its acquisition of computer security company McAfee is officially complete.

The deal was first revealed in August 2010, when Intel, the world’s largest chip maker, revealed it would be paying $7.68 billion in cash for McAfee. At the time, that amounted to about $48 per share.

Computer security, online or not, has often had little to do with the hardware. Chip makers focus on making powerful, fast and efficient processors, leaving the art of antivirus and encryption to the software engineers. With this latest acquisition, however, Intel is shifting its philosophy to more dramatically wed hardware and software.

“In the past, energy-efficient performance and Internet connectivity have defined computing requirements,” said Renée James, Intel SVP and general manager. “Intel has added security as a third pillar of what people demand from their experiences with personal computers and other connected devices.”

McAfee and its president, Dave DeWalt, now report to Intel’s Software and Services Group, which is headed by James.

Whether it’s McAfee and Intel or some other tech entity, the next generation of IT security leaders has a lot of work to do. As quickly as new technologies, new products and new features proliferate across consumer services and devices, so do security threats and privacy holes surface.

Part of the problem is the sheer magnitude of data. Consider, for a minute, all trends that point to the waterfall surge of smartphone usage taking place around the world. The fun in smartphones might be using applications so cute and teeny we call them “apps,” but, in reality, those apps house mountains of personal data: bank account information, medical histories, etc. Computer security in the 21st century is no walk in the park.

Accounting for this completed acquisition, Intel expects first quarter revenue to be $11.7 billion, plus or minus $400 million. Intel predicts that full-year growth percentage will float somewhere in the mid-to high teens, compared to a previous estimate of approximately 10 percent.

Source:http://vator.tv/news/2011-02-28-intel-completes-768-billion-mcafee-purchase

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Intel plunges into security business by acquiring McAfee

September 10th, 2010

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In the wake of growing cyber crime; security in the cyber arena has become all the more important. When a person buys a new computer, it seldom happens that the new computer comes without a security-software; and if it does, the customer is requested right away to get one installed in case he’s going to be an earnest internet user.

And when security has such an important part to play; organisations can always bank upon the revenue producing capability of a security-software. Intel, the most coveted processor producing company is all set to take over McAfee (the largest dedicated security technology company) for approximately $7.68 billion. Diversification; either in-house or by takeovers and mergers has always been one of the most sought after techniques of improving business. Let’s see what this deal will have in store.

Intel Corporation has come into an agreement with McAfee Inc.; to purchase all of the company’s common stock at $48 per share in cash. Buying all the shares at that price will amount to a whopping $7.68 billion. The Board of Directors of both the organisations had unanimously reached a consensus and approved the deal which shall be closed once the shareholders of McAfee have approved and all the mandatory conditions of a takeover has been fulfilled. McAfee then shall become a wholly owned subsidiary of Intel.

The main idea behind the deal was to provide the global community with better protection in the area of online computing by adopting a fundamentally new approach involving software, hardware and services. Also Intel has put the issue of security at the same priority level as the rest of its strategic focus areas in energy efficient performance and online connectivity.

With the takeover, Intel will be benefitted with the inclusion of some very talented people who have so far contributed by security innovations, products and services which the industry and consumers have trusted to make their experiences with Internet much safer. The deal is hoped to be very helpful because the security issue is in sync with the basic goal of Intel; which is to provide an outstanding computing experience in fast growing business areas, especially around the move to wireless mobility.

Intel hopes to bring out a new security product next year from its strategic partnership. With this collaboration; Intel and McAfee will jointly explore concepts to further strengthen the security in the cloud network and a plethora of computers and others devices that people use in their daily lives.

The deal sure does sound promising enough given the times when the security in online computing can’t be given a backseat. However, as far as the effect of the deal on Indian market is concerned, it’s unlikely that we’ll see any implications here. Indian domestic market has too many players and Indian market being extremely price sensitive needs to be watched out carefully to know the pros and cons of the deal.