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Death: wait for investigation to be completed. Instead included statement from Justice Department indicating suicide.
In the media: clean up, way too many instances of "In <month> <year>"
 
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{{Short description|British and American programmer and businessman (1945–2021)}}
{{pp-blp|small=yes}}
{{Recent death }}
{{pp-pc|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{short description|American computer programmer and businessman}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = John McAfee
| name = John McAfee
| image = John McAfee by Gage Skidmore (cropped).jpg
| image = John McAfee by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| caption = McAfee in 2016
| caption = McAfee at [[Politicon]] in 2016
| birth_name = John David McAfee
| birth_name = John David McAfee
| birth_date = {{birth date|mf=yes|1945|9|18}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1945|9|18}}
| birth_place = [[Cinderford]], [[Gloucestershire]], [[England]]
| birth_place = [[Cinderford]], [[Gloucestershire]], England
| death_date = {{death date and age|2021|06|23|1945|9|18|mf=yes}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|2021|06|23|1945|9|18|df=yes}}
| death_place = Brians 2 Penitentiary, [[Sant Esteve Sesrovires]], [[Province of Barcelona|Barcelona]], [[Spain]]
| death_place = [[Sant Esteve Sesrovires]], [[Catalonia]], Spain
| death_cause =
| death_cause = [[Suicide]] by hanging<ref name=cod />
| spouses = {{married|Janice Dyson|2013|2021}}
| nationality = {{hlist|British|American}}
| criminal_charges = Tax evasion
| party = [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]] (before 2015, 2016–2021)<br />Cyber (2015–2016)
| spouses = {{plainlist|
| known_for = Founder of [[McAfee]]
* {{marriage|Fran|end=div}}
| education = [[Roanoke College]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
* {{marriage|Judy Chambliss||2002|end=div}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Businessman|computer programmer}}
* {{marriage|Janice Dyson|2013}}}}
| children = 1<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.afr.com/technology/the-wild-life-and-bizarre-death-of-john-mcafee-20230221-p5cm85 |title=The wild life and bizarre death of John McAfee |date=24 February 2023 |access-date=7 September 2024 |last1 = Tarabay |first1 = Jamie |last2 = Bremner |first2 = Matthew |work = Australian Financial Review }}</ref>{{efn|McAfee frequently claimed to have up to 47 children.<ref name="children" /><ref>{{Cite tweet | user=officialmcafee | date= 18 January 2020 | link= https://x.com/officialmcafee/status/1218522947192795136 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20240830062839/https://x.com/officialmcafee/status/1218522947192795136 | url-status = live| archive-date = 30 August 2024| number = 1218522947192795136 | title = Since you asked: I have 47 children.}}</ref>}}
| party = [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]] (before 2015, 2016–2021)
| otherparty = Cyber (2015–2016)
| known_for = Founder of [[McAfee|McAfee Corp.]]
| education = [[Roanoke College]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
| occupation = {{hlist|Businessman|computer programmer|[[perennial candidate]]}}
}}
}}


'''John David McAfee''' ({{IPAc-en|'|m|æ|k|ə|f|iː}} {{respell|MAK|ə-fee}};<ref name="fec2015">{{cite web |title=FEC Form 2 |url=http://docquery.fec.gov/pdf/254/201509089001618254/201509089001618254.pdf |publisher=Federal Election Commission |access-date=September 9, 2015 |quote=John David McAfee. Office Sought: Presidential |archive-date=February 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227094743/http://docquery.fec.gov/pdf/254/201509089001618254/201509089001618254.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid65694806001?bctid=45365945001&iframe=true&width=700&height=410 | title=Quick Tips: How Do You Pronounce McAfee | first=Scott | last=Taschler | publisher=McAfee, Inc. | date=September 1, 2010 | access-date=February 28, 2019 | archive-date=March 7, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307200026/http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid65694806001?bctid=45365945001&iframe=true&width=700&height=410 | url-status=live }}</ref> September 18, 1945 – June 23, 2021)<ref>{{Cite web|last=Catalunya|first=elDiario es|date=2021-06-23|title=Encuentran muerto al magnate John McAfee en una prisión catalana tras aprobarse su extradición|url=https://www.eldiario.es/catalunya/encuentran-john-mcafee-muerto-prision-catalana-despues-aprobara-extradicion_1_8069355.html|access-date=2021-06-23|website=ElDiario.es|language=es|archive-date=June 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623194544/https://www.eldiario.es/catalunya/encuentran-john-mcafee-muerto-prision-catalana-despues-aprobara-extradicion_1_8069355.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Periódico|first=El|date=2021-06-23|title=El magnate estadounidense John McAfee, hallado muerto en la cárcel Brians 2 de Barcelona|url=https://www.elperiodico.com/es/sociedad/20210623/muere-john-mcafee-carcel-barcelona-extradicion-11852263|access-date=2021-06-23|website=elperiodico|language=es|archive-date=June 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623194529/https://www.elperiodico.com/es/sociedad/20210623/muere-john-mcafee-carcel-barcelona-extradicion-11852263|url-status=live}}</ref> was a British-American computer programmer and businessman. He founded the software company [[McAfee|McAfee Associates]] in 1987 and ran it until 1994, when he resigned from the company. McAfee Associates achieved early success as the creator of McAfee's first commercial [[antivirus software]], and the business now produces a range of enterprise security software. The company was purchased by [[Intel]] in 2011, though it still bears the McAfee brand name. McAfee's wealth peaked in 2007 at $100 million, before his investments plummeted in the [[financial crisis of 2007–2008]].
'''John David McAfee''' ({{IPAc-en|'|m|æ|k|ə|f|iː}} {{respell|MAK|ə-fee}};<ref name="fec2015">{{cite web |title=FEC Form 2 |url=http://docquery.fec.gov/pdf/254/201509089001618254/201509089001618254.pdf |publisher=Federal Election Commission |access-date=9 September 2015 |quote=John David McAfee. Office Sought: Presidential |archive-date=27 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227094743/http://docquery.fec.gov/pdf/254/201509089001618254/201509089001618254.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |people=Burstein, Nanette (director) |date=21 September 2016 |title=Gringo: The Dangerous Life of John McAfee {{!}} Official Trailer {{!}} A Film by Nanette Burstein |url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=TjBgNwAVLWQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/TjBgNwAVLWQ |archive-date=30 October 2021 |access-date=24 June 2021 |publisher=Showtime}}{{cbignore}}</ref> 18 September 1945 – 23 June 2021) was a British and American [[computer programmer]], businessman, and two-time presidential candidate who unsuccessfully sought the [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian Party]] nomination for president of the United States [[2016 Libertarian National Convention|in 2016]] and [[2020 Libertarian National Convention|in 2020]]. In 1987, he wrote the first commercial [[Antivirus software|anti-virus software]], founding [[McAfee|McAfee Associates]] to sell his creation. He resigned in 1994 and sold his remaining stake in the company.<ref name="wsjannounce">{{cite web |author1=Bowdeya Tweh |author2=Robert McMillan |title=John McAfee, Antivirus Software Creator, Is Found Dead in Spanish Jail |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/john-mcafee-antivirus-software-creator-found-dead-in-spanish-jail-11624482910?page=1 |website=Wall Street Journal |publisher=Dow Jones |access-date=23 June 2021 |page=1 |language=en |date=23 June 2021 |url-status=live |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624144403/https://www.wsj.com/articles/john-mcafee-antivirus-software-creator-found-dead-in-spanish-jail-11624482910?page=1}}</ref> McAfee became the company's most vocal critic in later years, urging consumers to uninstall the company's anti-virus software, which he characterized as [[bloatware]]. He disavowed the company's continued use of his name in branding, a practice that has persisted in spite of a short-lived corporate rebrand attempt under [[Intel]] ownership.


After leaving McAfee Associates, he founded the companies Tribal Voice (makers of the [[PowWow (chat program)|PowWow]] chat program), QuorumEx, and Future Tense Central, among others, and was involved in leadership positions in the companies Everykey, MGT Capital Investments, and Luxcore, among others. His personal and business interests included [[smartphone]] apps, [[cryptocurrency]], [[yoga]], and herbal [[antibiotics]]. He resided for a number of years in [[Belize]], but returned to the United States in 2013 while wanted in Belize for questioning on suspicion of murder.<ref>https://www.itpro.com/security/33284/john-mcafee-ordered-to-pay-25-million-over-neighbours-murder</ref>
McAfee's fortunes plummeted in the [[financial crisis of 2007–2008]]. After leaving McAfee Associates, he founded the companies Tribal Voice (makers of the [[PowWow (chat program)|PowWow]] chat program), QuorumEx, and Future Tense Central, among others, and was involved in leadership positions in the companies [[Everykey]], MGT Capital Investments, and Luxcore, among others. His personal and business interests included [[smartphone]] apps, [[cryptocurrency]], [[yoga]], [[Ultralight trike|light-sport aircraft]]<ref name="Fastcompany"/> and [[recreational drug use]]. He resided for a number of years in [[Belize]], but returned to the United States in 2013 while wanted in Belize for questioning on suspicion of murder.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.itpro.com/security/33284/john-mcafee-ordered-to-pay-25-million-over-neighbours-murder |title=John McAfee ordered to pay $25 million over neighbour's murder |date=21 March 2019 |access-date=23 June 2021 |archive-date=23 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623212706/https://www.itpro.com/security/33284/john-mcafee-ordered-to-pay-25-million-over-neighbours-murder |url-status=live}}</ref>


In October 2020, McAfee was arrested in Spain over U.S. [[tax evasion]] charges.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 October 2020 |title=Tech millionaire John McAfee arrested in Spain for US tax evasion |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/business/tech-millionaire-john-mcafee-arrested-spain-for-us-tax-evasion-a4564626.html |access-date=6 October 2020 |website=Evening Standard |language=en |archive-date=17 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117225506/https://www.standard.co.uk/business/tech-millionaire-john-mcafee-arrested-spain-for-us-tax-evasion-a4564626.html |url-status=live}}</ref> U.S. federal prosecutors brought criminal and civil charges alleging that McAfee had failed to file income taxes over a four-year period.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 October 2020 |title=Anti-virus creator John McAfee arrested over tax evasion charges |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54431726 |access-date=6 October 2020 |archive-date=7 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307050152/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54431726 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Software Creator McAfee Arrested In Spain, Awaiting Extradition To US |url=https://www.channelstv.com/2020/10/06/software-creator-mcafee-arrested-in-spain-awaiting-extradition-to-us/ |access-date=6 October 2020 |website=Channels Television |archive-date=27 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127174805/https://www.channelstv.com/2020/10/06/software-creator-mcafee-arrested-in-spain-awaiting-extradition-to-us/ |url-status=live}}</ref> On 23 June 2021, he was found dead due to an apparent [[suicide by hanging]] in his prison cell [[Àmbit metropolità de Barcelona|near Barcelona]] shortly after the [[Spanish National Court]] authorized his [[extradition]] to the U.S.<ref name=Larger>{{Cite news|date=23 June 2021 |title=Larger-than-life software mogul John McAfee dies in Spain by suicide, lawyer says |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/john-mcafee-found-dead-prison-after-spanish-court-allows-extradition-2021-06-23/ |access-date=24 June 2021 |publisher=[[Reuters]] |archive-date=23 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623195144/https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/john-mcafee-found-dead-prison-after-spanish-court-allows-extradition-2021-06-23/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Carranco |first=Rebeca |date=23 June 2021 |title=El fundador del antivirus McAfee, John McAfee, se suicida en una prisión de Barcelona |url=https://elpais.com/economia/2021-06-23/el-fundador-del-antivirus-mcafee-john-mcafee-se-suicida-en-una-prision-de-barcelona.html |access-date=23 June 2021 |website=EL PAÍS |language=es |archive-date=23 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623193534/https://elpais.com/economia/2021-06-23/el-fundador-del-antivirus-mcafee-john-mcafee-se-suicida-en-una-prision-de-barcelona.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite magazine |title=Report: John McAfee Autopsy Rules His Death a Suicide |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2021/06/john-mcafee-autopsy-report |access-date=9 July 2021 |magazine=Vanity Fair |date=29 June 2021 |language=en-US |archive-date=13 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713171812/https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2021/06/john-mcafee-autopsy-report |url-status=live }}</ref> His death generated speculation and theories about the possibility that he was murdered.<ref>{{cite web |last=Czopek |first=Madison |title=Rumors surrounding John McAfee's death linked to QAnon conspiracy |website=Politifact |date=25 June 2021 |url=https://www.politifact.com/article/2021/jun/25/rumors-surrounding-john-mcafees-death-linked-qanon/ |access-date=15 July 2021 |archive-date=14 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714092643/https://www.politifact.com/article/2021/jun/25/rumors-surrounding-john-mcafees-death-linked-qanon/ |url-status=live }}</ref> McAfee's wife, Janice McAfee, said she did not believe McAfee died by suicide.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/john-mcafee-wife-doesnt-believe-suicide-2021-7 |title=Antivirus mogul John McAfee's wife says she doesn't believe he died by suicide |first=Natalie |last=Musumeci |website=Business Insider |date=6 July 2021 |access-date=17 July 2021 |archive-date=17 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717224515/https://www.businessinsider.com/john-mcafee-wife-doesnt-believe-suicide-2021-7 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/wife-john-mcafee-shares-suspect-24532585 |title=Computer tycoon's wife shares 'suspect' suicide note after he is found dead |first=Graeme |last=Murray |date=14 July 2021 |website=The Mirror |access-date=17 July 2021 |archive-date=20 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720111406/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/wife-john-mcafee-shares-suspect-24532585 |url-status=live }}</ref>
McAfee was also a political activist. He unsuccessfully sought the [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian Party]] nomination for [[President of the United States]] in [[2016 Libertarian National Convention|2016]] and [[2020 Libertarian National Convention|2020]].

On October 6, 2020, McAfee was arrested in [[Spain]] over tax evasion charges.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tribune|first=Emea|date=2020-10-06|title=John McAfee Arrested: antivirus software giant, charged with tax evasion in US|url=https://emeatribune.uk/john-mcafee-arrested-antivirus-software-giant-charged-with-tax-evasion-in-us/|access-date=2020-10-06|website=EMEA Tribune|language=en-US|archive-date=December 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209061529/https://emeatribune.uk/john-mcafee-arrested-antivirus-software-giant-charged-with-tax-evasion-in-us/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-06|title=Tech millionaire John McAfee arrested in Spain for US tax evasion|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/business/tech-millionaire-john-mcafee-arrested-spain-for-us-tax-evasion-a4564626.html|access-date=2020-10-06|website=Evening Standard|language=en|archive-date=January 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117225506/https://www.standard.co.uk/business/tech-millionaire-john-mcafee-arrested-spain-for-us-tax-evasion-a4564626.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The charges were announced shortly after the U.S. [[Securities and Exchange Commission]] (SEC) revealed that it had brought civil charges against McAfee and that he could face 30 years in prison if convicted.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-10-06|title=Anti-virus creator John McAfee arrested over tax evasion charges|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54431726|access-date=2020-10-06|archive-date=March 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307050152/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54431726|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Software Creator McAfee Arrested In Spain, Awaiting Extradition To US|url=https://www.channelstv.com/2020/10/06/software-creator-mcafee-arrested-in-spain-awaiting-extradition-to-us/|access-date=2020-10-06|website=Channels Television|archive-date=January 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127174805/https://www.channelstv.com/2020/10/06/software-creator-mcafee-arrested-in-spain-awaiting-extradition-to-us/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On June 23, 2021, McAfee was found dead of an apparent suicide in a prison cell near Barcelona, Spain, shortly after his extradition to the United States was authorized by the [[Audiencia Nacional|Spanish National Court]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Carranco|first=Rebeca|date=2021-06-23|title=El fundador del antivirus McAfee, John McAfee, se suicida en una prisión de Barcelona|url=https://elpais.com/economia/2021-06-23/el-fundador-del-antivirus-mcafee-john-mcafee-se-suicida-en-una-prision-de-barcelona.html|access-date=2021-06-23|website=EL PAÍS|language=es|archive-date=June 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623193534/https://elpais.com/economia/2021-06-23/el-fundador-del-antivirus-mcafee-john-mcafee-se-suicida-en-una-prision-de-barcelona.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
McAfee was born in [[Cinderford]], in the [[Forest of Dean]], [[Gloucestershire]], United Kingdom,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/antivirus-software-pioneer-john-mcafee-195724894.html|title=Antivirus software pioneer John McAfee 'found dead' in Spanish prison cell after court approves extradition|website=news.yahoo.com}}</ref> on a U.S. Army base to an American father, who was stationed there, and a British mother.<ref name="The Hill">{{cite web |last1=Trujillo |first1=Mario |title=Software pioneer McAfee files paperwork to run for president |url=http://thehill.com/policy/technology/252987-software-pioneer-mcafee-files-paperwork-to-run-for-president |website=The Hill |access-date=September 9, 2015 |date=September 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909002804/http://thehill.com/policy/technology/252987-software-pioneer-mcafee-files-paperwork-to-run-for-president |archive-date=September 9, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> He was primarily raised in [[Salem, Virginia]]. McAfee had said he felt as much British as he felt American.<ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-24441931|title=The strange life of John McAfee|first=Leo|last=Kelion|work=BBC News|date=October 11, 2013|access-date=January 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105134431/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-24441931|archive-date=January 5, 2019|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> When McAfee was 15, his father, an abusive alcoholic, committed suicide by gunshot.<ref name="bbc.co.uk"/>
McAfee was born in [[Cinderford]], in the [[Forest of Dean]], [[Gloucestershire]], England,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://news.yahoo.com/antivirus-software-pioneer-john-mcafee-195724894.html |title=Antivirus software pioneer John McAfee 'found dead' in Spanish prison cell after court approves extradition |website=[[Yahoo! News]] |date=23 June 2021 |access-date=23 June 2021 |archive-date=23 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623214612/https://news.yahoo.com/antivirus-software-pioneer-john-mcafee-195724894.html |url-status=live}}</ref> on 18 September 1945,<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/john-mcafee-computer-programmer-and-antivirus-manufacturer-found-dead-in-prison-cell-lqcxtgz6j |title=Obituary: John McAfee, antivirus software designer, dies aged 75 |website=The Times |date=24 June 2021 |access-date=24 June 2021 |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624144408/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/john-mcafee-computer-programmer-and-antivirus-manufacturer-found-dead-in-prison-cell-lqcxtgz6j |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}</ref> on a [[U.S. Army]] base (of the 596th Ordnance Ammunition Company), to an American father, Don McAfee, who was stationed there, and a British mother, Joan Williams.<ref name="The Hill">{{cite web |last1=Trujillo |first1=Mario |title=Software pioneer McAfee files paperwork to run for president |url=https://thehill.com/policy/technology/252987-software-pioneer-mcafee-files-paperwork-to-run-for-president/ |website=The Hill |access-date=9 September 2015 |date=8 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909002804/http://thehill.com/policy/technology/252987-software-pioneer-mcafee-files-paperwork-to-run-for-president |archive-date=9 September 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Guardian Obit">{{Cite news |last=Carlson |first=Michael |url=http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/27/john-mcafee-obituary |title=John McAfee obituary |date=27 June 2021 |website=The Guardian |access-date=19 July 2021 |archive-date=29 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729205224/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/27/john-mcafee-obituary |url-status=live }}</ref> His father was from [[Roanoke, Virginia]]. In spite of primarily being raised in [[Salem, Virginia]], McAfee said he felt as much British as American.<ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-24441931 |title=The strange life of John McAfee |first=Leo |last=Kelion |work=BBC News |date=11 October 2013 |access-date=2 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105134431/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-24441931 |archive-date=5 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> When he was 15, his father, whom a BBC columnist described as "an abusive alcoholic", killed himself with a gun.<ref name="bbc.co.uk"/> He had spent his childhood living in fear that a beating from his father could happen at any time and struggled to make sense of why this was happening to him.<ref name=":4" /> In ''[[Running With the Devil: The Wild World of John McAfee]]'', it is alleged that McAfee may have shot and killed his father, staging the scene to look like a suicide.<ref>{{Cite AV media|people=[[Rocco Castoro]], Alex Cody Foster, [[Robert King (photojournalist)|Robert King]] |title=Running With the Devil: The Wild World of John McAfee |publisher=[[Netflix]]}}</ref>


He received a bachelor's degree in mathematics in 1967 from [[Roanoke College]], which subsequently awarded him an honorary [[Sc.D.]] degree in 2008.<ref name="inventors_inventions">{{cite book |last=Woodford |first=Chris |title=Inventors and Inventions, Volume 4 |publisher=[[Marshall Cavendish]] |year=2007 |pages=1030–33 |isbn=978-0-7614-7767-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YcPvV893aXgC&pg=PA1030 |access-date=February 23, 2016 |archive-date=April 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430084528/https://books.google.com/books?id=YcPvV893aXgC&pg=PA1030 |url-status=live }}</ref>
McAfee received a bachelor's degree in mathematics in 1967 from [[Roanoke College]] in Virginia, which subsequently awarded him an honorary [[Doctor of Science]] degree in 2008.<ref name="inventors_inventions">{{cite book |last=Woodford |first=Chris|author1-link=Chris Woodford (author)|title=Inventors and Inventions, Volume 4 |publisher=[[Marshall Cavendish]] |year=2007 |pages=1030–1033 |isbn=978-0-7614-7767-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YcPvV893aXgC&pg=PA1030 |access-date=23 February 2016 |archive-date=30 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430084528/https://books.google.com/books?id=YcPvV893aXgC&pg=PA1030 |url-status=live |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref> After receiving his bachelor's degree, McAfee began working towards a doctorate in mathematics at [[Northeast Louisiana State College]], but was expelled in about 1968 because of a relationship with an undergraduate student, who became his first wife.<ref name=Times20210625>{{cite news |title=John McAfee obituary |date=25 June 2021 |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/john-mcafee-computer-programmer-and-antivirus-manufacturer-found-dead-in-prison-cell-lqcxtgz6j |work=The Times |access-date=25 June 2021 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624144408/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/john-mcafee-computer-programmer-and-antivirus-manufacturer-found-dead-in-prison-cell-lqcxtgz6j |url-status=live}}</ref>


== Ventures ==
== Ventures ==


===NASA, Univac, Xerox, CSC, Booz Allen and Lockheed===
=== Before McAfee Associates ===

McAfee was employed as a programmer by [[NASA]]'s [[Goddard Institute for Space Studies|Institute for Space Studies]] in [[New York City]] from 1968 to 1970. From there, he went to [[UNIVAC|Univac]] as a software designer, and later to [[Xerox]] as an [[operating system]] architect. In 1978, he joined [[Computer Sciences Corporation]] as a software consultant. He worked for consulting firm [[Booz Allen Hamilton]] from 1980–1982.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fox Business|title=John McAfee: I'm Behind Edward Snowden|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjQ-AfRNG18&t=73|website=Youtube|publisher=Youtube|access-date=August 23, 2015|archive-date=February 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202224423/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjQ-AfRNG18&t=73|url-status=live}}</ref> In the 1980s, while employed by [[Lockheed Corporation|Lockheed]], McAfee received a copy of the [[Brain (computer virus)|Brain]] computer virus, and began developing software to combat viruses.
McAfee was employed as a programmer by [[NASA]] from 1968 to 1970.<ref name=Larger/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Dean |first=Sam |date=2021-06-23 |title=Antivirus pioneer John McAfee found dead in prison after extradition ruling |url=https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2021-06-23/mcafee-antivirus-software-creator-found-dead-in-spanish-prison-hours-after-court-okays-his-extradition-to-the-us |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=31 March 2024 |archive-date=31 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331232832/https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2021-06-23/mcafee-antivirus-software-creator-found-dead-in-spanish-prison-hours-after-court-okays-his-extradition-to-the-us |url-status=live }}</ref> From there, he went to [[UNIVAC|Univac]] as a software designer, and later to [[Xerox]] as an [[operating system]] architect. In 1978, he joined [[Computer Sciences Corporation]] as a software consultant. He worked for consulting firm [[Booz Allen Hamilton]] from 1980 to 1982.<ref>{{cite AV media |date=27 June 2013 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjQ-AfRNG18 |title=John McAfee: I'm Behind Edward Snowden |publisher=[[Fox Business]] |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=15 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224050223/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjQ-AfRNG18 |archive-date=24 December 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1986, while employed by [[Lockheed Corporation|Lockheed]], he read about the [[Brain (computer virus)|Brain computer virus]] made for the PC, and he found it terrifying.<ref name="Times20210625" /> Sensing a business opportunity, he went about creating an antivirus software that could detect the computer virus and remove it automatically.<ref name="Guardian Obit" /> In 1987, McAfee created [[McAfee|McAfee Associates Inc.]] to sell this software, which he named VirusScan.<ref name="inventors_inventions" /> This was the first anti-virus software brought to market, and one of the first software products to be distributed over the [[Internet]].<ref name="Guardian Obit"/><ref name="inventors_inventions"/>


=== McAfee Associates ===
=== McAfee Associates ===
Initially McAfee did not seek a large userbase of paying users, but rather wanted to raise awareness of the need to be protected from computer viruses. However, by making people fear such malware, he managed to generate millions of sales, and by 1990 he was making $5 million a year.<ref name=":4" /> The company was [[Delaware General Corporation Law|incorporated in Delaware]] in 1992, and had its [[initial public offering]] the same year. In August 1993, McAfee stepped down as chief executive and remained with the company as the chief technical officer. He was succeeded by Bill Larson.<ref>{{cite news |title=Executive Changes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/08/25/business/executive-changes-750593.html |access-date=25 June 2021 |work=The News York Times |date=25 August 1993 |archive-date=25 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625145612/https://www.nytimes.com/1993/08/25/business/executive-changes-750593.html?searchResultPosition=16 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1994 he sold his remaining stake in the company.<ref name="latimesblog2"/> He had no further involvement in its operations.<ref name="wsjannounce" />
In 1987 McAfee founded [[McAfee|McAfee Associates]], a computer anti-virus company.<ref name="inventors_inventions"/> The company was [[Delaware General Corporation Law|incorporated in Delaware]] in 1992, and McAfee resigned from the company in 1994.<ref name="inventors_inventions"/> Two years after McAfee Associates went public, McAfee sold his remaining stake in the company.<ref name="latimesblog2"/>


[[Network Associates]] was formed in 1997 as a merger of McAfee Associates and [[NetScout Systems, Inc.|Network General]]. The Network Associates company name was retained for seven years, when it was renamed McAfee, Inc. In August 2010, [[Intel]] bought McAfee,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.mcafee.com/us/about/news/2011/q1/20110228-01.aspx | work=McAfee News | title=Intel Completes Acquisition of McAfee | date=February 28, 2011 | access-date=April 13, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110827102142/http://www.mcafee.com/us/about/news/2011/q1/20110228-01.aspx | archive-date=August 27, 2011 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11025866 | work=BBC News | title=Intel in $7.68bn McAfee takeover | date=August 19, 2010 | access-date=June 21, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031040203/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11025866 | archive-date=October 31, 2018 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref> maintaining the separate branding, until January 2014, when it announced that McAfee-related products will be marketed as Intel Security. McAfee expressed his pleasure at the name change, saying, "I am now everlastingly grateful to Intel for freeing me from this terrible association with the worst software on the planet."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25631183|title=CES 2014: Director loses direction as teleprompter fails|work=BBC News|date=7 January 2014|access-date=June 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105215258/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25631183|archive-date=January 5, 2019|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The unit was spun out of Intel in April 2017 as McAfee, LLC, as a joint venture between [[TPG Capital]] and Intel.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://fortune.com/2017/04/04/intel-mcafee-spinoff-security/|title=Security Vendor McAfee Returns to Its Roots After Intel Spin-Out|last=Lev-Ram|first=Michal|date=April 4, 2017|website=Fortune|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731062129/http://fortune.com/2017/04/04/intel-mcafee-spinoff-security/|archive-date=July 31, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=January 5, 2019|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
After various mergers and ownership changes, [[Intel]] acquired McAfee in August 2010.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11025866 |work=BBC News |title=Intel in $7.68bn McAfee takeover |date=19 August 2010 |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031040203/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11025866 |archive-date=31 October 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2014, Intel announced that McAfee-related products would be marketed as Intel Security. McAfee expressed his pleasure at the name change, saying, "I am now everlastingly grateful to Intel for freeing me from this terrible association with the worst software on the planet."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25631183 |title=CES 2014: Director loses direction as teleprompter fails |work=BBC News |date=7 January 2014 |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105215258/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25631183 |archive-date=5 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> The business was soon de-merged from Intel, once more under the McAfee name.


=== After McAfee Associates ===
=== PowWow, QuoromEx, MGT and more ===
Other business ventures that were founded by McAfee include [[PowWow (chat program)|Tribal Voice]], which developed one of the first instant messaging programs,<ref>{{cite web |last=Pontin |first=Jason |url=http://www.technologyreview.com/Biztech/14405/ |title=From the Editor |work=[[MIT Technology Review]] |publisher=Technologyreview.com |date=May 1, 2005 |access-date=November 15, 2012 |archive-date=March 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316103743/http://www.technologyreview.com/Biztech/14405/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[PowWow (chat program)|PowWow]]. In 2000, he invested in and joined the board of directors of [[Check Point#Acquisitions|Zone Labs]], makers of [[firewall (computing)|firewall software]], prior to its acquisition by [[Check Point|Check Point Software]] in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.informationweek.com/zone-labs-to-get-funding-new-board-membe/6509869 |title=Zone Labs To Get Funding, New Board Member |date=October 2, 2000 |access-date=November 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014111722/http://www.informationweek.com/zone-labs-to-get-funding-new-board-membe/6509869 |archive-date=October 14, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
McAfee founded the company [[PowWow (chat program)|Tribal Voice]] in 1994, which developed one of the first instant messaging programs,<ref>{{cite web |last=Pontin |first=Jason |url=http://www.technologyreview.com/Biztech/14405/ |title=From the Editor |work=[[MIT Technology Review]] |publisher=Technologyreview.com |date=1 May 2005 |access-date=15 November 2012 |archive-date=16 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316103743/http://www.technologyreview.com/Biztech/14405/ |url-status=live}}</ref> [[PowWow (chat program)|PowWow]].


In 2000, he invested in and joined the board of directors of [[Check Point#Acquisitions|Zone Labs]], makers of [[firewall (computing)|firewall software]], prior to its acquisition by [[Check Point|Check Point Software]] in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.informationweek.com/zone-labs-to-get-funding-new-board-membe/6509869 |title=Zone Labs To Get Funding, New Board Member |date=2 October 2000 |access-date=17 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014111722/http://www.informationweek.com/zone-labs-to-get-funding-new-board-membe/6509869 |archive-date=14 October 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> In the 2000s McAfee invested in and advertised ultra-light flights, which he marketed as ''aerotrekking''.<ref name="Fastcompany">{{cite news |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/1615167/plagued-lawsuits-mcafee-founder-hunts-cures-belize |title=Plagued by Lawsuits, McAfee Founder Hunts for Cures in Belize |first=Jeff |last=Wise |authorlink=Jeff Wise |publisher=[[Fast Company]] |date=1 May 2010 |access-date=26 June 2021 |archive-date=16 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616140553/https://www.fastcompany.com/1615167/plagued-lawsuits-mcafee-founder-hunts-cures-belize |url-status=live}}</ref>
In August 2009, ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported that McAfee's personal fortune had declined to $4 million from a peak of $100 million, the effect of the [[financial crisis of 2007–2008]] on his investments.<ref name="latimesblog2">{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/21/business/economy/21inequality.html?_r=1&hp | title=Rise of the Super-Rich Hits a Sobering Wall | newspaper=The New York Times | format=article | date=August 21, 2009 | first1=David | last1=Leonhardt | first2=Geraldine | last2=Fabrikant | access-date=May 7, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116013404/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/21/business/economy/21inequality.html?_r=1&hp | archive-date=November 16, 2012 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref>


In 2000 he bought a large property in Colorado and opened a yoga and meditation retreat there. In the following year he authored four books on yoga and meditation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moss |first=Rebecca |date=July 24, 2012 |title=John McAfee: Anti-virus king turned relational yoga inventor talks latest endeavor (or prank?) |url=https://www.westword.com/news/john-mcafee-anti-virus-king-turned-relational-yoga-inventor-talks-latest-endeavor-or-prank-5833168 |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=Westword |language=en |archive-date=3 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203063111/https://www.westword.com/news/john-mcafee-anti-virus-king-turned-relational-yoga-inventor-talks-latest-endeavor-or-prank-5833168 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2009, McAfee was interviewed in Belize for the [[CNBC]] special "The Bubble Decade," in which it was reported that he had invested in and/or built many mansions in the USA that went unsold when the 2007 global recession hit. The report also discussed his quest to produce plants for possible medicinal uses on his land in Belize.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.zimbio.com/watch/zLx7RCsWlZn/The+Bubble+Decade/CNBC+Originals |title=The Bubble Decade |access-date=May 25, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417025600/http://www.zimbio.com/watch/zLx7RCsWlZn/The+Bubble+Decade/CNBC+Originals |archive-date=April 17, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>


In August 2009 ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported that McAfee's personal fortune had declined to $4 million from a peak of $100 million due to the effect of the [[financial crisis of 2007–2008]] on his investments.<ref name="latimesblog2">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/21/business/economy/21inequality.html |title=Rise of the Super-Rich Hits a Sobering Wall |newspaper=The New York Times |format=article |date=21 August 2009 |first1=David |last1=Leonhardt |first2=Geraldine |last2=Fabrikant |access-date=7 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116013404/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/21/business/economy/21inequality.html?_r=1&hp |archive-date=16 November 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In February 2010, McAfee started the company QuorumEx,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://quorumex.com/ |title=Quorum sensing inhibitor agents from the jungles and savannas of Belize |publisher=QuorumEx.com |access-date=November 15, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325201353/http://quorumex.com/ |archive-date=March 25, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> headquartered in Belize, which aimed to produce herbal [[antibiotics]] that disrupt [[quorum sensing]] in bacteria.<ref name="fast-company">{{cite web|url=http://www.fastcompany.com/node/1615167/print|title=Plagued by Lawsuits, McAfee Founder Hunts for Cures in Belize|publisher=Fast Company|format=article|date=May 1, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100424054349/http://www.fastcompany.com/node/1615167/print|archive-date=April 24, 2010|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="gizmodo1">{{cite web |url=https://gizmodo.com/5958877 |title=Secrets, Schemes, and Lots of Guns: Inside John McAfee's Heart of Darkness |first=Jeff |last=Wise |publisher=[[Gizmodo]] |date=November 8, 2012 |access-date=September 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115231510/http://gizmodo.com/5958877 |archive-date=January 15, 2013 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>


McAfee relocated to [[Belize]] in 2009, buying a beachfront property on the island of [[Ambergris Caye]] and later also some property near the mainland village of [[Carmelita, Belize|Carmelita]], where he surrounded himself with a large group of armed security guards.<ref>{{Citation |last=Burstein |first=Nanette |title=Gringo: The Dangerous Life of John McAfee |date=2016-09-24 |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6071534/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 |type=Documentary, Crime |access-date=2023-10-21 |publisher=Showtime Networks |archive-date=2 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002055131/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6071534/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In June 2013, McAfee uploaded a parody video titled ''How to Uninstall McAfee Antivirus'' onto his [[YouTube]] channel. In the video, McAfee criticized McAfee's antivirus software while snorting white powder, and being stroked and undressed by scantily clad women. The video has garnered over 10 million views. McAfee told [[Reuters]] that he made the video to ridicule the media's negative coverage of him. A spokesman for McAfee Inc. called the video's statements "ludicrous."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-johnmcafee-video-idUSBRE95J00Z20130620|title=John McAfee resurfaces as ranting video star, mocks McAfee software|last=Finkle|first=Jim|date=June 19, 2013|work=Reuters|access-date=January 5, 2019|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105201231/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-johnmcafee-video-idUSBRE95J00Z20130620|archive-date=January 5, 2019|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>


In 2009, McAfee was interviewed in Belize for the [[CNBC]] special ''The Bubble Decade'', in which it was reported that he had invested in and/or built many mansions in the USA that went unsold when the 2007 global recession hit. The report also discussed his quest to raise plants for possible medicinal uses on his land in Belize.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.zimbio.com/watch/zLx7RCsWlZn/The+Bubble+Decade/CNBC+Originals |title=The Bubble Decade |access-date=25 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417025600/http://www.zimbio.com/watch/zLx7RCsWlZn/The+Bubble+Decade/CNBC+Originals |archive-date=17 April 2015}}</ref>
Also in 2013, McAfee started the company Future Tense Central, which aimed to produce a secure computer network device called the D-Central.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/john-mcafees-100-antinsa-device-this-is-coming-and-cannot-be-stopped-8851328.html|title=John McAfee's $100 'anti-NSA' device: 'this is coming and cannot be|author=James Vincent|date=October 2, 2013|work=The Independent|access-date=September 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712233400/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/john-mcafees-100-antinsa-device-this-is-coming-and-cannot-be-stopped-8851328.html|archive-date=July 12, 2015|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> By 2016, it was also serving as an [[business incubator|incubator]].<ref name="Hardawar" />


In February 2014, McAfee announced Cognizant, an application for smartphones, which displays information about the permissions of other installed applications.<ref name="SiliconAngle1">{{cite web |url=http://siliconangle.com/blog/2014/02/11/john-mcafee-has-had-enough-of-excessive-app-permissions-introduces-cognizant/ |title=John McAfee has had enough of excessive app permissions introduces Cognizant |publisher=[[SiliconAngle]] |date=February 11, 2014 |access-date=February 11, 2014 |first=John |last=Casaretto |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222003053/http://siliconangle.com/blog/2014/02/11/john-mcafee-has-had-enough-of-excessive-app-permissions-introduces-cognizant/ |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In April 2014, Cognizant was renamed DCentral 1, and an [[Android (operating system)|Android]] version of it was released for free on [[Google Play]].<ref name="WhoisMcAfee">{{cite web |url=http://www.whoismcafee.com/dcentral1-app/ |title=DCentral1 App Now available for download |publisher=WhoisMcAfee.Com |date=April 3, 2014 |access-date=April 4, 2014 |first=John |last=McAfee |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407045517/http://www.whoismcafee.com/dcentral1-app/ |archive-date=April 7, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="GooglePlay1">{{cite web |url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dcentral1.android |title=DCentral 1 by John McAfee |date=April 3, 2014 |access-date=April 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408021432/https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dcentral1.android |archive-date=April 8, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
In February 2010, McAfee and biologist Allison Adonizio started the company QuorumEx,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://quorumex.com/ |title=Quorum sensing inhibitor agents from the jungles and savannas of Belize |publisher=QuorumEx.com |access-date=15 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325201353/http://quorumex.com/ |archive-date=25 March 2010}}</ref> headquartered in Belize, which aimed to produce herbal [[antibiotics]] that disrupt [[quorum sensing]] in bacteria.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-06-22 |title=From Antivirus to Antibiotics, McAfee Searches for a Last Cure |url=https://gizmodo.com/from-antivirus-to-antibiotics-mcafee-searches-for-a-la-5569746 |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=Gizmodo |language=en |archive-date=3 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203063112/https://gizmodo.com/from-antivirus-to-antibiotics-mcafee-searches-for-a-la-5569746 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="fast-company">{{cite web |url=http://www.fastcompany.com/node/1615167/print |title=Plagued by Lawsuits, McAfee Founder Hunts for Cures in Belize |publisher=Fast Company |format=article |date=1 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100424054349/http://www.fastcompany.com/node/1615167/print |archive-date=24 April 2010}}</ref><ref name="gizmodo1">{{cite web |url=https://gizmodo.com/5958877 |title=Secrets, Schemes, and Lots of Guns: Inside John McAfee's Heart of Darkness |first=Jeff |last=Wise |publisher=[[Gizmodo]] |date=8 November 2012 |access-date=9 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115231510/http://gizmodo.com/5958877 |archive-date=15 January 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>


In June 2013, McAfee uploaded a parody video titled ''How to Uninstall McAfee Antivirus'' onto his [[YouTube]] channel. In it, he critiques the antivirus software while snorting white powder and being stripped by scantily clad women. It received ten million views. He told [[Reuters]] the video was meant to ridicule the media's negative coverage of him. A spokesman for McAfee Inc. called the video's statements "ludicrous".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-johnmcafee-video-idUSBRE95J00Z20130620 |title=John McAfee resurfaces as ranting video star, mocks McAfee software |last=Finkle |first=Jim |date=19 June 2013 |work=Reuters |access-date=5 January 2019 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105201231/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-johnmcafee-video-idUSBRE95J00Z20130620 |archive-date=5 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>
At the [[DEF CON]] conference in [[Las Vegas, Nevada]], in August 2014, he warned Americans not to use smartphones, suggesting [[Mobile app|apps]] are used to spy on clueless consumers who do not read privacy user agreements.<ref>Danny Yadron, [https://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2014/08/08/john-mcafee-at-def-con-dont-use-smartphones/ John McAfee at Def Con: Don't Use Smartphones] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712192223/https://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2014/08/08/john-mcafee-at-def-con-dont-use-smartphones/ |date=July 12, 2017 }}, ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', August 8, 2014</ref>
[[File:John McAfee Def Con (14902350795).jpg|thumb|left|McAfee in 2015]]
In January 2016, he became the chief evangelist for security startup Everykey.<ref name="Hardawar">{{cite news |last=Hardawar |first=Devindra |url=https://www.engadget.com/2016/01/10/john-mcafeee-everykey/ |title=John McAfee on his new startup and why he should be president |work=[[Engadget]] |date=January 16, 2016 |access-date=January 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110150408/http://www.engadget.com/2016/01/10/john-mcafeee-everykey/ |archive-date=January 10, 2016 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>


Also in 2013, McAfee founded Future Tense Central, which aimed to produce a secure computer network device called the D-Central.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/john-mcafees-100-antinsa-device-this-is-coming-and-cannot-be-stopped-8851328.html |title=John McAfee's $100 'anti-NSA' device: 'this is coming and cannot be |author=James Vincent |date=2 October 2013 |work=The Independent |access-date=1 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712233400/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/john-mcafees-100-antinsa-device-this-is-coming-and-cannot-be-stopped-8851328.html |archive-date=12 July 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> By 2016, it was also an [[business incubator|incubator]].<ref name="Hardawar" />
In February 2016, McAfee received media attention by publicly volunteering to [[2015 San Bernardino attack#Phone decryption|decrypt the iPhone]] used by the San Bernardino shooters, avoiding the need for [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] to build a [[Backdoor (computing)|backdoor]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Hathaway |first=Jay |title=Antivirus Wild Man John McAfee Offers to Solve FBI's iPhone Problem So Apple Doesn't Have To |url=https://nymag.com/following/2016/02/john-mcafee-says-he-can-crack-that-iphone.html |website=Following: How We Live Online |date=February 19, 2016 |access-date=February 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160223133848/http://nymag.com/following/2016/02/john-mcafee-says-he-can-crack-that-iphone.html |archive-date=February 23, 2016 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> McAfee later admitted that his claims of how simple cracking the phone would be were a publicity stunt, though he still claimed he could pull it off.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailydot.com/politics/john-mcafee-lied-iphone-apple-fbi/|title=John McAfee lied about San Bernardino shooter's iPhone hack to 'get a s**tload of public attention'|last=Turton|first=William|publisher=[[The Daily Dot]]|date=March 7, 2016|access-date=May 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160515024010/http://www.dailydot.com/politics/john-mcafee-lied-iphone-apple-fbi/|archive-date=May 15, 2016|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>


In May 2016, McAfee was appointed chief executive chairman and [[Chief executive officer|CEO]] of MGT Capital Investments, a technology [[holding company]]. The company initially stated that it would rename itself John McAfee Global Technologies,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/05/09/john-mcafees-first-move-as-a-new-ceo-is-to-rename-the-company-after-himself/ |title=John McAfee's first move as a new CEO was to rename the company after himself |last=Tepper |first=Fitz |website=TechCrunch |access-date=May 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510050502/http://techcrunch.com/2016/05/09/john-mcafees-first-move-as-a-new-ceo-is-to-rename-the-company-after-himself/ |archive-date=May 10, 2016 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> although this plan was abandoned due to a dispute with Intel over rights to the "McAfee" name.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mgtci.com/about-intro|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803212510/https://www.mgtci.com/about-intro|url-status=dead|title=About MGT|archivedate=August 3, 2017}}</ref> McAfee changed MGT's focus from [[social network game|social gaming]] to cybersecurity, stating in an interview that "anti-virus software is dead, it no longer works," and that "the new paradigm has to stop the hacker getting in" before they can do damage.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/091416/john-mcafee-interview-new-cybersecurity-paradigm.asp|title=John McAfee Interview: Cyberwars are the New Warfare|publisher=MSN|access-date=August 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803213636/http://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/091416/john-mcafee-interview-new-cybersecurity-paradigm.asp|archive-date=August 3, 2017|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
In February 2014, McAfee announced Cognizant, an application for smartphones which displays information about the permissions of other installed applications.<ref name="SiliconAngle1">{{cite web |url=http://siliconangle.com/blog/2014/02/11/john-mcafee-has-had-enough-of-excessive-app-permissions-introduces-cognizant/ |title=John McAfee has had enough of excessive app permissions introduces Cognizant |publisher=SiliconAngle |date=11 February 2014 |access-date=11 February 2014 |first=John |last=Casaretto |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222003053/http://siliconangle.com/blog/2014/02/11/john-mcafee-has-had-enough-of-excessive-app-permissions-introduces-cognizant/ |archive-date=22 February 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2014, it was renamed DCentral 1, and an [[Android (operating system)|Android]] version was released for free on [[Google Play]].<ref name="WhoisMcAfee">{{cite web |url=http://www.whoismcafee.com/dcentral1-app/ |title=DCentral1 App Now available for download |publisher=WhoisMcAfee.Com |date=3 April 2014 |access-date=4 April 2014 |first=John |last=McAfee |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407045517/http://www.whoismcafee.com/dcentral1-app/ |archive-date=7 April 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="GooglePlay1">{{cite web |url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dcentral1.android |title=DCentral 1 by John McAfee |date=3 April 2014 |access-date=4 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408021432/https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dcentral1.android |archive-date=8 April 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>


[[File:John McAfee Def Con (14902350795).jpg|thumb|McAfee at [[DEF CON]] 2014]]
Soon after joining MGT, McAfee claimed that he and his team had exploited a flaw in the [[Android (operating system)|Android]] operating system that allowed him to read encrypted messages from [[WhatsApp]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Morgan |first=Steve |url=http://cybersecurityventures.com/whatsapp-message-hacked-by-john-mcafee-and-crew/ |title=WhatsApp Message Hacked By John McAfee And Crew |work=Cybersecurity Ventures |date=May 15, 2016 |access-date=May 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160516201313/http://cybersecurityventures.com/whatsapp-message-hacked-by-john-mcafee-and-crew/ |archive-date=May 16, 2016 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> [[Gizmodo]] investigated these claims, and reported that McAfee had sent reporters malware-infected phones to make this hack work. McAfee responded to these accusations, writing: "Of course the phones had malware on them. How that malware got there is the story, which we will release after speaking with Google. It involves a serious flaw in the Android architecture."<ref name="Gizmodo3">{{cite web |last=Turton |first=William |url=https://gizmodo.com/john-mcafee-apparently-tried-to-trick-reporters-into-th-1776765480 |title=John McAfee Apparently Tried to Trick Reporters Into Thinking He Hacked WhatsApp |publisher=Gawker Media |work=Gizmodo |date=May 16, 2016 |access-date=May 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160516195937/http://gizmodo.com/john-mcafee-apparently-tried-to-trick-reporters-into-th-1776765480 |archive-date=May 16, 2016 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>


At the [[DEF CON]] conference in Las Vegas in August 2014, McAfee warned people not to use smartphones, suggesting [[Mobile app|apps]] are used to spy on clueless consumers who do not read privacy user agreements.<ref>Danny Yadron, [https://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2014/08/08/john-mcafee-at-def-con-dont-use-smartphones/ John McAfee at Def Con: Don't Use Smartphones] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712192223/https://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2014/08/08/john-mcafee-at-def-con-dont-use-smartphones/ |date=12 July 2017 }}, ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', 8 August 2014</ref> In January 2016, he became the chief evangelist for security startup Everykey.<ref name="Hardawar">{{cite news |last=Hardawar |first=Devindra |url=https://www.engadget.com/2016/01/10/john-mcafeee-everykey/ |title=John McAfee on his new startup and why he should be president |work=[[Engadget]] |date=16 January 2016 |access-date=11 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110150408/http://www.engadget.com/2016/01/10/john-mcafeee-everykey/ |archive-date=10 January 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>
McAfee also moved MGT into the [[bitcoin mining|mining]] of [[bitcoin]] and other [[cryptocurrency|cryptocurrencies]], saying that it was intended both to make money for the company, and to increase MGT's expertise in dealing with [[blockchain]]s, which he thought was important for cybersecurity.<ref>{{cite web |title=John McAfee Says Bitcoin Boom to Put MGT in the Black |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-05-24/john-mcafee-says-bitcoin-boom-to-put-mgt-capital-in-the-black |authors=Lily Katz and Esha Dey |publisher=Bloomberg |date=May 24, 2017 |access-date=August 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803212105/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-05-24/john-mcafee-says-bitcoin-boom-to-put-mgt-capital-in-the-black |archive-date=August 3, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>


In February 2016, McAfee publicly volunteered to [[2015 San Bernardino attack#Phone decryption|decrypt the iPhone]] used by [[Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik]] in San Bernardino, avoiding the need for [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] to build a [[Backdoor (computing)|backdoor]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Hathaway |first=Jay |title=Antivirus Wild Man John McAfee Offers to Solve FBI's iPhone Problem So Apple Doesn't Have To |url=https://nymag.com/following/2016/02/john-mcafee-says-he-can-crack-that-iphone.html |website=Following: How We Live Online |date=19 February 2016 |access-date=24 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160223133848/http://nymag.com/following/2016/02/john-mcafee-says-he-can-crack-that-iphone.html |archive-date=23 February 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> He later admitted that his claims regarding the ease of cracking the phone were a publicity stunt, while still asserting its possibility.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailydot.com/politics/john-mcafee-lied-iphone-apple-fbi/ |title=John McAfee lied about San Bernardino shooter's iPhone hack to 'get a s**tload of public attention' |last=Turton |first=William |publisher=[[The Daily Dot]] |date=7 March 2016 |access-date=15 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160515024010/http://www.dailydot.com/politics/john-mcafee-lied-iphone-apple-fbi/ |archive-date=15 May 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In August 2017, McAfee stepped down as CEO, instead serving as MGT's "chief cybersecurity visionary." In January 2018, he left the company altogether. Both sides stated that the decision was amicable, with McAfee saying that he wanted to spend all of his time on cryptocurrencies, while the company stated that they were getting pressured by potential investors to disassociate themselves from McAfee.<ref>{{cite web |title=MGT Splits From John McAfee, Turns Focus to Digital Coin Mining |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-26/mgt-splits-from-john-mcafee-turns-focus-to-digital-coin-mining |date=January 26, 2018 |authors=Lily Katz and Esha Dey |publisher=Bloomberg |access-date=February 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213021047/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-26/mgt-splits-from-john-mcafee-turns-focus-to-digital-coin-mining |archive-date=February 13, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>


In May 2016, McAfee was appointed chairman and [[Chief executive officer|CEO]] of MGT Capital Investments, a technology [[holding company]]. It initially said it would rename itself John McAfee Global Technologies,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/05/09/john-mcafees-first-move-as-a-new-ceo-is-to-rename-the-company-after-himself/ |title=John McAfee's first move as a new CEO was to rename the company after himself |last=Tepper |first=Fitz |website=TechCrunch |date=9 May 2016 |access-date=10 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510050502/http://techcrunch.com/2016/05/09/john-mcafees-first-move-as-a-new-ceo-is-to-rename-the-company-after-himself/ |archive-date=10 May 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> although this plan was abandoned due to a dispute with Intel over rights to the "McAfee" name.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.mgtci.com/about-intro |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803212510/https://www.mgtci.com/about-intro |url-status=dead |title=About MGT |archivedate=3 August 2017}}</ref> He changed MGT's focus from [[social network game|social gaming]] to cybersecurity, saying "anti-virus software is dead, it no longer works", and that "the new paradigm has to stop the hacker getting in" before they can do damage. The first product for this purpose was Sentinel.<ref>{{cite press release | url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/john-mcafee-provides-update-on-mgt-sentinel-300438839.html | title=John McAfee Provides Update on MGT Sentinel | access-date=12 September 2023 | archive-date=4 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004231752/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/john-mcafee-provides-update-on-mgt-sentinel-300438839.html | url-status=live }}</ref>
On August 13, 2018, McAfee took a position of CEO with Luxcore, a cryptocurrency company focused on enterprise solutions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Anti-Virus Guru McAfee to Head Blockchain Startup |url=https://www.investopedia.com/news/john-mcafee-named-ceo-blockchain-startup/ |date=August 17, 2018 |author=Nathan Reiff |publisher=Investopedia |access-date=September 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911044534/https://www.investopedia.com/news/john-mcafee-named-ceo-blockchain-startup/ |archive-date=September 11, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

Soon after joining MGT, McAfee said he and his team had exploited a flaw in the [[Android (operating system)|Android]] operating system that allowed him to read encrypted messages from [[WhatsApp]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Morgan |first=Steve |url=http://cybersecurityventures.com/whatsapp-message-hacked-by-john-mcafee-and-crew/ |title=WhatsApp Message Hacked By John McAfee And Crew |work=Cybersecurity Ventures |date=15 May 2016 |access-date=16 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160516201313/http://cybersecurityventures.com/whatsapp-message-hacked-by-john-mcafee-and-crew/ |archive-date=16 May 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Gizmodo]] investigated his claim, and reported that he had sent reporters [[malware]]-infected phones to make this hack work. He replied: "Of course the phones had malware on them. How that malware got there is the story, which we will release after speaking with Google. It involves a serious flaw in the Android architecture."<ref name="Gizmodo3">{{cite web |last=Turton |first=William |url=https://gizmodo.com/john-mcafee-apparently-tried-to-trick-reporters-into-th-1776765480 |title=John McAfee Apparently Tried to Trick Reporters Into Thinking He Hacked WhatsApp |publisher=Gawker Media |work=Gizmodo |date=16 May 2016 |access-date=16 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160516195937/http://gizmodo.com/john-mcafee-apparently-tried-to-trick-reporters-into-th-1776765480 |archive-date=16 May 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>

McAfee moved MGT into the [[bitcoin mining|mining]] of [[bitcoin]] and other [[cryptocurrency|cryptocurrencies]], both to make money for the company, and to increase MGT's expertise in dealing with [[blockchain]]s, which he thought was important for cybersecurity.<ref>{{cite news |title=John McAfee Says Bitcoin Boom to Put MGT in the Black |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-05-24/john-mcafee-says-bitcoin-boom-to-put-mgt-capital-in-the-black |author1=Lily Katz |author2=Esha Dey |newspaper=Bloomberg.com |publisher=Bloomberg |date=24 May 2017 |access-date=3 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803212105/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-05-24/john-mcafee-says-bitcoin-boom-to-put-mgt-capital-in-the-black |archive-date=3 August 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In August 2017, McAfee stepped down as CEO, instead serving as MGT's "chief cybersecurity visionary." In January 2018, he left the company altogether. Both sides said the split was amicable; he said he wanted to spend all of his time on cryptocurrencies, while the company told of pressure from potential investors to disassociate itself from him.<ref>{{cite news |title=MGT Splits From John McAfee, Turns Focus to Digital Coin Mining |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-26/mgt-splits-from-john-mcafee-turns-focus-to-digital-coin-mining |date=26 January 2018 |author1=Lily Katz |author2=Esha Dey |newspaper=Bloomberg.com |publisher=Bloomberg |access-date=13 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213021047/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-26/mgt-splits-from-john-mcafee-turns-focus-to-digital-coin-mining |archive-date=13 February 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On 13 August 2018, McAfee took a position of CEO with Luxcore, a cryptocurrency company focused on enterprise solutions.


==Politics==
==Politics==
===Political positions===
===Positions===
McAfee was a [[Libertarianism in the United States|libertarian]], advocating the [[decriminalization of cannabis]], an end to the [[War on Drugs|war on drugs]], [[non-interventionism]] in foreign policy, a [[free market]] economy which does not [[redistribute wealth]], and upholding [[free trade]]. McAfee supported abolishing the [[Transportation Security Administration]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mcafee2016.com/issues/ |title=John McAfee 2016 – Libertarian For President: John McAfee On The Issues |website=Mcafee2016.com |access-date=March 30, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323221428/https://mcafee2016.com/issues/ |archive-date=March 23, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
McAfee was a [[Libertarianism in the United States|libertarian]], advocating the [[decriminalization of cannabis]], an end to the [[War on Drugs|war on drugs]], [[non-interventionism]] in foreign policy, a [[free market]] economy which does not [[redistribute wealth]], and upholding [[free trade]]. He supported abolishing the [[Transportation Security Administration]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mcafee2016.com/issues/ |title=John McAfee 2016 – Libertarian For President: John McAfee On The Issues |website=Mcafee2016.com |access-date=30 March 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323221428/https://mcafee2016.com/issues/ |archive-date=23 March 2016}}</ref>


McAfee advocated increased cyber awareness, and more action against the threat of [[cyberwarfare]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2016/03/23/politics/john-mcafee-third-party-libertarian/index.html |title=John McAfee still thinks 'this is the year of the third party' |work=CNN |date=March 23, 2016 |access-date=March 30, 2016 |last=Watkins |first=Eli |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329120511/http://edition.cnn.com/2016/03/23/politics/john-mcafee-third-party-libertarian/index.html |archive-date=March 29, 2016 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
McAfee advocated increased cyber awareness and more action against the threat of [[cyberwarfare]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2016/03/23/politics/john-mcafee-third-party-libertarian/index.html |title=John McAfee still thinks 'this is the year of the third party' |work=CNN |date=23 March 2016 |access-date=30 March 2016 |last=Watkins |first=Eli |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329120511/http://edition.cnn.com/2016/03/23/politics/john-mcafee-third-party-libertarian/index.html |archive-date=29 March 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> He pushed [[religious liberty]], saying that business owners should be able to deny service in circumstances that contradict their religious beliefs, adding: "No one is forcing you to buy anything or to choose one person over another. So why should I be forced to do anything if I am not harming you? It's my choice to sell, your choice to buy."<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/mar/31/inside-the-beltway-gary-johnson-john-mcafee-austin/ |title=Inside the Beltway: Libertarian hopefuls spar over Nazi-themed wedding cake on Fox forum |work=The Washington Times |access-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401140101/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/mar/31/inside-the-beltway-gary-johnson-john-mcafee-austin/ |archive-date=1 April 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>


McAfee contended that taxes were illegal, and claimed in 2019 that he had not filed a [[Tax return (United States)|tax return]] since 2010. He referred to himself as "a prime target" of the [[Internal Revenue Service]].<ref>Louis Casiano, "John McAfee calls taxes 'illegal,' says it's been 8 years since he filed a return", Fox News, 4 January 2019, at [https://www.foxnews.com/us/john-mcafee-trashes-irs-in-series-of-tweets] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190114071628/https://www.foxnews.com/us/john-mcafee-trashes-irs-in-series-of-tweets|date=14 January 2019}}.</ref>
McAfee advocated [[religious liberty]], saying that business owners should be able to deny service in circumstances that contradict their religious beliefs, and: "No one is forcing you to buy anything or to choose one person over another. So why should I be forced to do anything if I am not harming you? It's my choice to sell, your choice to buy."<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/mar/31/inside-the-beltway-gary-johnson-john-mcafee-austin/ |title=Inside the Beltway: Libertarian hopefuls spar over Nazi-themed wedding cake on Fox forum |work=The Washington Times |access-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401140101/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/mar/31/inside-the-beltway-gary-johnson-john-mcafee-austin/ |archive-date=April 1, 2016 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

In July 2017, McAfee predicted on Twitter that the price of a [[bitcoin]] would jump to $500,000 within three years, adding: "If not, I will eat my own dick on national television."<ref>{{cite tweet |last=McAfee |first=John |author-link=John McAfee |user=officialmcafee |number=887024683379544065 |date=17 July 2017 |title=@maguraaa if not, I will eat my dick on national television. |language=en |access-date=15 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903054821/https://twitter.com/officialmcafee/status/887024683379544065 |archive-date=3 September 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2019, he predicted a price of $1 million by the end of 2020.<ref>{{cite tweet |last=McAfee |first=John |author-link=John McAfee |user=officialmcafee |number=1150467506915676168 |date=14 July 2019 |title=Bitcoin is at the mid 10's and people worry. LMFAO!! Why do you pay attention to weekly fluctuations? Look at the past few months FFS! It's rising drastically. I'm still positive about my $1 mil BTC price by the end of 2020. Alt coins like MTC and Apollo will rise ten times more. |language=en |access-date=15 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820032419/https://twitter.com/officialmcafee/status/1150467506915676168 |archive-date=20 August 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2020, he tweeted that his predictions were "a ruse to onboard new users," and that bitcoin had limited potential because it is "an ancient technology."<ref name="The Independent 2019-09-04">{{cite news |date=4 September 2019 |title=Bitcoin price dips towards $10,000 but john mcafee stands by $1m cryptocurrency bet |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/bitcoin-price-latest-john-mcafee-cryptocurrency-btc-bet-twitter-a9005846.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413172125/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/bitcoin-price-latest-john-mcafee-cryptocurrency-btc-bet-twitter-a9005846.html |archive-date=13 April 2021 |access-date=13 April 2021}}</ref>


===2016 presidential campaign===
===2016 presidential campaign===
{{see also|2016 Libertarian Party presidential primaries}}
{{see also|2016 Libertarian Party presidential primaries}}
[[File:John McAfee Feldman presidential campaign, 2016 logo.png|thumb|McAfee's 2016 campaign logo]]
On September 8, 2015, McAfee announced that he would seek the office of [[President of the United States]] in the [[2016 United States presidential election|2016 presidential election]], as the candidate of a newly formed [[political party]] called the Cyber Party.<ref name="The Hill"/><ref>{{cite web |last=Garcia |first=Ahiza |url=https://money.cnn.com/2015/09/08/news/john-mcafee-for-president/index.html?sr=fbmoney090815mcafee730story |title=John McAfee announces he's running for President |date=September 8, 2015 |publisher=[[CNN]] |access-date=September 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911231649/http://money.cnn.com/2015/09/08/news/john-mcafee-for-president/index.html?sr=fbmoney090815mcafee730story |archive-date=September 11, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> On December 24, 2015, he re-announced his candidacy bid saying that he would instead seek the presidential nomination of the [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian Party]].<ref name= "Hardawar" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Swartz |first1=Jon |title=McAfee will run as Libertarian Party candidate for president |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/12/24/mcafee-run-libertarian-party-candidate-president/77877980/ |newspaper=USA Today |access-date=December 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225101320/http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/12/24/mcafee-run-libertarian-party-candidate-president/77877980/ |archive-date=December 25, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> On the campaign trail, McAfee consistently polled among the top three presidential candidates for his party with his rivals [[Gary Johnson]] and [[Austin Petersen]].<ref name="The Awl">{{cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Zachary |url=http://www.theawl.com/2016/05/john-mcafee-libertarian-candidate-for-president |title=On The Campaign Trail With John McAfee |work=The Awl |date=May 5, 2016 |access-date=May 7, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506142958/http://www.theawl.com/2016/05/john-mcafee-libertarian-candidate-for-president |archive-date=May 6, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The three candidates appeared in the Libertarian Party's first nationally televised [[Stossel Libertarian presidential forum, 2016|presidential debate]] on March 29, 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2016/03/31/fbn-s-john-stossel-hosts-libertarian-presidential-forum-featuring-johnson-mcafee-petersen.html |title=FBN's John Stossel Hosts Libertarian Presidential Forum Featuring Johnson, McAfee & Petersen |work=Fox Business |date=March 31, 2016 |access-date=May 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521124658/http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2016/03/31/fbn-s-john-stossel-hosts-libertarian-presidential-forum-featuring-johnson-mcafee-petersen.html |archive-date=May 21, 2016 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
On 8 September 2015, McAfee announced a bid for [[president of the United States]] in the [[2016 United States presidential election|2016 presidential election]], as the candidate of a newly formed [[political party]] called the Cyber Party.<ref name="The Hill"/><ref>{{cite web |last=Garcia |first=Ahiza |url=https://money.cnn.com/2015/09/08/news/john-mcafee-for-president/index.html?sr=fbmoney090815mcafee730story |title=John McAfee announces he's running for President |date=8 September 2015 |publisher=[[CNN]] |access-date=8 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911231649/http://money.cnn.com/2015/09/08/news/john-mcafee-for-president/index.html?sr=fbmoney090815mcafee730story |archive-date=11 September 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> On 24&nbsp;December 2015, he re-announced his candidacy bid saying that he would instead seek the presidential nomination of the [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian Party]].<ref name= "Hardawar" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Swartz |first1=Jon |title=McAfee will run as Libertarian Party candidate for president |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/12/24/mcafee-run-libertarian-party-candidate-president/77877980/ |newspaper=USA Today |access-date=25 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225101320/http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/12/24/mcafee-run-libertarian-party-candidate-president/77877980/ |archive-date=25 December 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> On the campaign trail, he consistently polled alongside the party's other top candidates, [[Gary Johnson]] and [[Austin Petersen]].<ref name="The Awl">{{cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Zachary |url=http://www.theawl.com/2016/05/john-mcafee-libertarian-candidate-for-president |title=On The Campaign Trail With John McAfee |work=The Awl |date=5 May 2016 |access-date=7 May 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506142958/http://www.theawl.com/2016/05/john-mcafee-libertarian-candidate-for-president |archive-date=6 May 2016}}</ref> The three partook in the Libertarian Party's [[2016 Stossel Libertarian presidential forum|first nationally televised presidential debate]] on 29 March 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2016/03/31/fbn-s-john-stossel-hosts-libertarian-presidential-forum-featuring-johnson-mcafee-petersen.html |title=FBN's John Stossel Hosts Libertarian Presidential Forum Featuring Johnson, McAfee & Petersen |work=Fox Business |date=31 March 2016 |access-date=21 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521124658/http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2016/03/31/fbn-s-john-stossel-hosts-libertarian-presidential-forum-featuring-johnson-mcafee-petersen.html |archive-date=21 May 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> His running mate was photographer, [[commercial real estate]] broker and Libertarian activist Judd Weiss.<ref>{{cite web |last=Doherty |first=Brian |title=John McAfee Will Be the Next President of the United States, Says John McAfee |url=http://reason.com/blog/2016/05/20/john-mcafee-will-be-the-next-president-o |magazine=Reason |date=20 May 2016 |access-date=16 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817154152/http://reason.com/blog/2016/05/20/john-mcafee-will-be-the-next-president-o |archive-date=17 August 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>


McAfee came in second in the primaries<ref>{{Cite news |last=Garfinkel |first=Noah |date=24 July 2019 |title=Fugitive software tycoon John McAfee makes another run for Libertarian presidential nomination |language=en |work=Washington Examiner |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/fugitive-software-tycoon-john-mcafee-makes-another-run-for-libertarian-presidential-nomination |access-date=3 May 2020 |archive-date=6 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506125722/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/fugitive-software-tycoon-john-mcafee-makes-another-run-for-libertarian-presidential-nomination |url-status=live}}</ref> and third at the [[2016 Libertarian National Convention]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bring |first=Daniel M. |date=28 January 2020 |title='It doesn't matter who the president is', says Libertarian presidential candidate John McAfee |language=en-US |work=Spectator US |url=https://spectator.us/brief-skype-conversation-john-mcafee/ |access-date=3 May 2020 |archive-date=14 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414233911/https://spectator.us/brief-skype-conversation-john-mcafee/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
McAfee announced that his vice presidential choice would be the photographer, former [[commercial real estate]] broker, and Libertarian activist Judd Weiss.<ref>{{cite web|last=Doherty|first=Brian|title=John McAfee Will Be the Next President of the United States, Says John McAfee|url=http://reason.com/blog/2016/05/20/john-mcafee-will-be-the-next-president-o|magazine=Reason|date=May 20, 2016|access-date=August 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817154152/http://reason.com/blog/2016/05/20/john-mcafee-will-be-the-next-president-o|archive-date=August 17, 2016|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

McAfee was the runner-up in the primaries<ref>{{Cite news |last=Garfinkel |first=Noah |date=July 24, 2019 |title=Fugitive software tycoon John McAfee makes another run for Libertarian presidential nomination |language=en |work=Washington Examiner |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/fugitive-software-tycoon-john-mcafee-makes-another-run-for-libertarian-presidential-nomination |access-date=May 3, 2020 |archive-date=May 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506125722/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/fugitive-software-tycoon-john-mcafee-makes-another-run-for-libertarian-presidential-nomination |url-status=live }}</ref> but came in third at the [[2016 Libertarian National Convention]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bring |first=Daniel M. |date=January 28, 2020 |title='It doesn't matter who the president is', says Libertarian presidential candidate John McAfee |language=en-US |work=Spectator US |url=https://spectator.us/brief-skype-conversation-john-mcafee/ |access-date=May 3, 2020 |archive-date=April 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414233911/https://spectator.us/brief-skype-conversation-john-mcafee/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


====Notable endorsements====
====Notable endorsements====
* [[Adam Kokesh]], talk show host and activist<ref>{{cite web|last1=Lesiak|first1=Krzysztof|title=Adam Kokesh endorses John McAfee|url=http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2016/05/adam-kokesh-endorses-john-mcafee/|website=Independent Political Report|access-date=May 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519092348/http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2016/05/adam-kokesh-endorses-john-mcafee/|archive-date=May 19, 2016|url-status=live|df=mdy-all|date=May 18, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Adam Kokesh]], talk show host and activist<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lesiak |first1=Krzysztof |title=Adam Kokesh endorses John McAfee |url=http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2016/05/adam-kokesh-endorses-john-mcafee/ |website=Independent Political Report |access-date=18 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519092348/http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2016/05/adam-kokesh-endorses-john-mcafee/ |archive-date=19 May 2016 |url-status=live |date=18 May 2016}}</ref>
* [[John Moore (Nevada politician)|John Moore]], Nevada assemblyman<ref>{{cite web|last1=McAfee|first1=John|title=Nevada Assemblyman John Moore, the most prominent...|url=https://www.facebook.com/officialmcafee/posts/620378254785025|website=Facebook|access-date=May 31, 2016|archive-date=February 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202224423/https://www.facebook.com/officialmcafee/posts/620378254785025|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[John Moore (Nevada politician)|John Moore]], Nevada assemblyman<ref>{{cite web |last1=McAfee |first1=John |title=Nevada Assemblyman John Moore, the most prominent... |url=https://www.facebook.com/officialmcafee/posts/620378254785025 |website=Facebook |access-date=31 May 2016 |archive-date=2 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202224423/https://www.facebook.com/officialmcafee/posts/620378254785025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[L. Neil Smith]], science fiction author and activist<ref>{{cite web|last1=Smith|first1=L. Neil|title=My 2016 Endorsement|url=http://ncc-1776.org/tle2016/tle861-20160228-02.html|website=The Libertarian Enterprise|access-date=May 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623171959/http://ncc-1776.org/tle2016/tle861-20160228-02.html|archive-date=June 23, 2016|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
* [[L. Neil Smith]], science fiction author and activist<ref>{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=L. Neil |title=My 2016 Endorsement |url=http://ncc-1776.org/tle2016/tle861-20160228-02.html |website=The Libertarian Enterprise |access-date=18 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623171959/http://ncc-1776.org/tle2016/tle861-20160228-02.html |archive-date=23 June 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>


===2020 presidential campaign===
===2020 presidential campaign===
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[[File:McAfee 2020 logo.png|thumb|McAfee's 2020 campaign logo]]
[[File:McAfee 2020 logo.png|thumb|McAfee's 2020 campaign logo]]


Contrary to his assertion at the [[2016 Libertarian National Convention|2016 convention]], McAfee announced on June 3, 2018, via [[Twitter]] that he would run for president again in [[2020 United States presidential election|2020]], either with the Libertarian Party or under the banner of a party of his own creation.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://fortune.com/2018/06/04/john-mcafee-president-2020/|title=John McAfee Says He Will Run for President in 2020|last=Marinova|first=Polina|date=June 4, 2018|work=Fortune|access-date=January 23, 2019|archive-date=June 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180605015347/http://fortune.com/2018/06/04/john-mcafee-president-2020/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Marinova |first=Polina |date=June 4, 2018 |title=John McAfee Says He Will Run for President in 2020 |language=en |work=Fortune |url=https://fortune.com/2018/06/04/john-mcafee-president-2020/ |access-date=May 3, 2020 |archive-date=May 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200507153451/https://fortune.com/2018/06/04/john-mcafee-president-2020/ |url-status=live }}</ref> His main campaign issue was to promote the use of cryptocurrencies. He stated that he will either again seek the nomination of the Libertarian Party, or form his own party;<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://fortune.com/2018/06/04/john-mcafee-president-2020/ |title=John McAfee Says He Will Run for President in 2020 |access-date=June 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180605015347/http://fortune.com/2018/06/04/john-mcafee-president-2020/ |archive-date=June 5, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> he ultimately ran as a Libertarian.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 7, 2019 |title=Millionaire John McAfee planning US presidential run … from Cuba |language=en |work=South China Morning Post |agency=Agence France-Presse |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3017562/fugitive-millionaire-antivirus-guru-john-mcafee |access-date=May 3, 2020 |archive-date=May 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200522074052/https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3017562/fugitive-millionaire-antivirus-guru-john-mcafee |url-status=live }}</ref>
Contrary to his assertion at the [[2016 Libertarian National Convention|2016 convention]], McAfee tweeted on 3 June 2018 that he would run for president again in [[2020 United States presidential election|2020]], either with the Libertarian Party or a separate party that he would create.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://fortune.com/2018/06/04/john-mcafee-president-2020/ |title=John McAfee Says He Will Run for President in 2020 |last=Marinova |first=Polina |date=4 June 2018 |work=Fortune |access-date=23 January 2019 |archive-date=5 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180605015347/http://fortune.com/2018/06/04/john-mcafee-president-2020/ |url-status=live}}</ref> He later chose to run as a Libertarian.<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 July 2019 |title=Millionaire John McAfee planning US presidential run … from Cuba |language=en |work=South China Morning Post |agency=Agence France-Presse |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3017562/fugitive-millionaire-antivirus-guru-john-mcafee |access-date=3 May 2020 |archive-date=22 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200522074052/https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3017562/fugitive-millionaire-antivirus-guru-john-mcafee |url-status=live}}</ref> He mainly campaigned for wider cryptocurrency use.


On January 22, 2019, McAfee announced via Twitter that he would be continuing his campaign "in exile", following reports that he, his wife, and four of his campaign staff were being indicted for tax-related felonies by the [[Internal Revenue Service|IRS]]. McAfee indicated that he was in "international waters", and had previously tweeted that he was on his way to Venezuela.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/john-mcafee-plans-to-run-for-president-in-exile-using-thousands-of-masked-doppelgangers/|title=John McAfee plans to run for president 'in exile' using thousands of masked doppelgangers|last=Reilly|first=Claire|date=January 22, 2019|work=CNet|access-date=January 23, 2019|archive-date=January 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123223416/https://www.cnet.com/news/john-mcafee-plans-to-run-for-president-in-exile-using-thousands-of-masked-doppelgangers/|url-status=live}}</ref> The IRS has not commented on the alleged indictments.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/tech/john-mcafee-is-running-from-u-s-authorities-and-running-for-president-on-a-boat|title=John McAfee is running from U.S. authorities – and running for President. On a boat.|last=Cruthers|first=Brooke|date=January 24, 2019|work=Fox News|access-date=January 24, 2019|archive-date=May 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514013238/https://www.foxnews.com/tech/john-mcafee-is-running-from-u-s-authorities-and-running-for-president-on-a-boat|url-status=live}}</ref> On June 29, McAfee tweeted that his campaign headquarters had been relocated to [[Havana, Cuba]].<ref name="auto" /> Around the same time, McAfee defended [[Communism|Communist]] revolutionary [[Che Guevara]] on Twitter, putting himself at odds with the Libertarian Party, with [[Libertarian National Committee]] chairman [[Nicholas Sarwark]] saying, "I hear very little buzz about McAfee this time around...making a defense of Che Guevara from Cuba may ingratiate him with the Cuban government, but it didn't resonate well with Libertarians."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://reason.com/2019/06/26/john-mcafee-libertarian-party-presidential-hopeful-is-running-his-campaign-in-exile-from-cuba/|title=John McAfee, Libertarian Party Presidential Hopeful, Is Running His Campaign-in-Exile from Cuba|author=Doherty, Brian|date=June 26, 2019|access-date=July 14, 2019|work=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]|archive-date=July 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715034305/https://reason.com/2019/06/26/john-mcafee-libertarian-party-presidential-hopeful-is-running-his-campaign-in-exile-from-cuba/|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 22 January 2019, McAfee [[Twitter|tweeted]] that he would continue his campaign "in exile," following reports that he, his wife, and four campaign staff were indicted for tax-related felonies by the [[Internal Revenue Service|IRS]]. He said he was in "international waters," and had previously tweeted that he was going to [[Venezuela]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/john-mcafee-plans-to-run-for-president-in-exile-using-thousands-of-masked-doppelgangers/ |title=John McAfee plans to run for president 'in exile' using thousands of masked doppelgangers |last=Reilly |first=Claire |date=22 January 2019 |work=CNet |access-date=23 January 2019 |archive-date=23 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123223416/https://www.cnet.com/news/john-mcafee-plans-to-run-for-president-in-exile-using-thousands-of-masked-doppelgangers/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The IRS has not commented on the alleged indictments.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.foxnews.com/tech/john-mcafee-is-running-from-u-s-authorities-and-running-for-president-on-a-boat |title=John McAfee is running from U.S. authorities – and running for President. On a boat. |last=Cruthers |first=Brooke |date=24 January 2019 |work=Fox News |access-date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=14 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514013238/https://www.foxnews.com/tech/john-mcafee-is-running-from-u-s-authorities-and-running-for-president-on-a-boat |url-status=live}}</ref> He defended [[Communist revolution|Marxist revolutionary]] [[Che Guevara]] on Twitter, putting himself at odds with [[Libertarian National Committee]] chairman [[Nicholas Sarwark]], who wrote, "I hear very little buzz about McAfee this time around&nbsp;... making a defense of Che Guevara from Cuba may ingratiate him with the Cuban government, but it didn't resonate well with Libertarians."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://reason.com/2019/06/26/john-mcafee-libertarian-party-presidential-hopeful-is-running-his-campaign-in-exile-from-cuba/ |title=John McAfee, Libertarian Party Presidential Hopeful, Is Running His Campaign-in-Exile from Cuba |author=Doherty, Brian |date=26 June 2019 |access-date=14 July 2019 |work=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]] |archive-date=15 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715034305/https://reason.com/2019/06/26/john-mcafee-libertarian-party-presidential-hopeful-is-running-his-campaign-in-exile-from-cuba/ |url-status=live}}</ref>


In a tweet, on March 4, 2020, McAfee simultaneously suspended his 2020 presidential campaign and announced his campaign for the Libertarian party vice presidential nomination.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}} The next day, he returned to the presidential field, reversing the suspension of his bid, as "No one in the Libertarian Party Would [''[[sic]]''] consider me For Vice President."<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1235615452841172992 |user=officialmcafee |title=I regret that I must, Once again, Reverse my prior self. No one in the Libertarian Party Would consider me For Vice President. I must return to my run For President. BTW... Accoring[sic] to Reason Mag: I came in second In the North Carolina Libertarian Super Tuesday elections:) |author=John McAfee |date=March 5, 2020}}</ref> The next month, he endorsed [[Adam Kokesh]]; he simultaneously became Kokesh's vice-presidential candidate, though McAfee decided to also continue his campaign for the presidency.<ref name="AprilWelch">{{Cite news |last=Welch |first=Matt |date=April 13, 2020 |title=Judge Jim Gray To Seek Libertarian Presidential Nomination |language=en-US |work=Reason |url=https://reason.com/2020/04/13/judge-jim-gray-to-seek-libertarian-presidential-nomination/ |access-date=May 3, 2020 |archive-date=April 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423093401/https://reason.com/2020/04/13/judge-jim-gray-to-seek-libertarian-presidential-nomination/ |url-status=live }}</ref> McAfee was again not nominated, losing to [[Jo Jorgensen]] and [[Spike Cohen]] for the vice-presidential slot.
In a tweet on 4 March 2020, McAfee simultaneously suspended his 2020 presidential campaign, endorsed [[Vermin Supreme]], and announced his campaign for the Libertarian Party vice presidential nomination.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://reason.com/2020/03/04/libertarian-super-tuesday-big-night-for-jacob-hornberger-nota-john-mcafee-drops-out-and-backs-vermin-supreme/ |title=Libertarian Super Tuesday: Big Night for Jacob Hornberger, NOTA; John McAfee Drops Out and Backs Vermin Supreme |date=4 March 2020 |last=Welch |first=Matt |author-link=Matt Welch |website=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]] |access-date=24 June 2021 |archive-date=25 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225080252/https://reason.com/2020/03/04/libertarian-super-tuesday-big-night-for-jacob-hornberger-nota-john-mcafee-drops-out-and-backs-vermin-supreme/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The next day, he returned to the presidential field, reversing the suspension of his bid, as "No one in the Libertarian Party Would consider me For Vice President."<ref>{{cite tweet |last=McAfee |first=John |author-link=John McAfee |user=officialmcafee |number=1235615452841172992 |date=5 March 2020 |title=I regret that I must, Once again, Reverse my prior self. No one in the Libertarian Party Would consider me For Vice President. I must return to my run For President. BTW... Accoring to Reason Mag: I came in second In the North Carolina Libertarian Super Tuesday elections:) https://t.co/SX3hrN8ERQ |language=en |access-date=15 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127065249/https://twitter.com/officialmcafee/status/1235615452841172992 |archive-date=27 November 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> The next month, he endorsed [[Adam Kokesh]] and became Kokesh's vice-presidential candidate, while still seeking the presidency for himself.<ref name="AprilWelch">{{Cite news |last=Welch |first=Matt |date=13 April 2020 |title=Judge Jim Gray To Seek Libertarian Presidential Nomination |language=en-US |work=Reason |url=https://reason.com/2020/04/13/judge-jim-gray-to-seek-libertarian-presidential-nomination/ |access-date=3 May 2020 |archive-date=23 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423093401/https://reason.com/2020/04/13/judge-jim-gray-to-seek-libertarian-presidential-nomination/ |url-status=live}}</ref> At the [[2020 Libertarian National Convention]], McAfee failed to qualify for the vice-presidential nomination.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 May 2020 |title=Libertarian Party Picks Spike Cohen as Its Vice-Presidential Candidate |url=https://reason.com/2020/05/24/libertarian-party-picks-spike-cohen-as-its-vice-presidential-candidate/ |access-date=24 June 2021 |website=Reason.com |language=en-US |archive-date=4 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210104044539/https://reason.com/2020/05/24/libertarian-party-picks-spike-cohen-as-its-vice-presidential-candidate/ |url-status=live}}</ref>


==Other views==
==Legal issues==
McAfee was named a defendant in a 2008 civil court case related to his Aerotrekking light-sport aircraft venture and the death of nephew Joel Bitow and a passenger.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/docket/CivilCourtCases/caseInfo.asp?caseNumber=CV2008-009723 |title=Civil Court Case Information – Case History (CV2008-009723) |publisher=The Judicial Branch of Arizona |date=28 April 2008 |access-date=26 June 2021 |archive-date=26 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626135108/https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Fjalla+One%7COswald |url-status=live}}</ref>
McAfee contended that taxes are illegal and claimed in 2019 that he had not filed a tax return since 2010. He referred to himself as being a "prime target" of the U.S. [[Internal Revenue Service]].<ref>Louis Casiano, "John McAfee calls taxes 'illegal,' says it's been 8 years since he filed a return", Fox News, Jan. 4, 2019, at [https://www.foxnews.com/us/john-mcafee-trashes-irs-in-series-of-tweets] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190114071628/https://www.foxnews.com/us/john-mcafee-trashes-irs-in-series-of-tweets |date=January 14, 2019 }}.</ref>


On 30 April 2012, McAfee's property in [[Orange Walk Town]], [[Belize]], was raided by the [[Gang Suppression Unit]] of the [[Belize Police Department]]. A GSU press release said he was arrested for unlicensed drug manufacturing and possession of an unlicensed weapon.<ref name="gizmodo1" /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/69891 |title=GSU says McAfee's research facility had unlicensed weapons |work=Channel 5 Belize |date=2 May 2012 |access-date=4 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505070518/http://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/69891 |archive-date=5 May 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="kvsmith">{{cite web |website=KVSmith.com |url=http://kvsmith.com/?p=651/print |title=Belize SWAT team raids antivirus pioneer McAfee |publisher=Ken Smith |format=article |date=7 May 2012 |access-date=2 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115032750/http://kvsmith.com/?p=651%2Fprint |archive-date=15 November 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> He was released without charge.<ref>{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Patrick E. |url=https://news.yahoo.com/belize-police-urge-software-founder-appear-175045107--finance.html |title=Belize police urge software founder to appear |work=Yahoo! News |agency=Associated Press |date=13 November 2012 |access-date=26 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117034500/http://news.yahoo.com/belize-police-urge-software-founder-appear-175045107--finance.html |archive-date=17 January 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2012, McAfee told a ''Wired'' reporter that from 2010 to 2011 he had made several posts to the drug discussion forum [[Bluelight (web forum)|Bluelight]] discussing his use and manufacturing of the stimulant drug [[Methylenedioxypyrovalerone|MDPV]] under the alias 'Stuffmonger'.<ref name=":1">{{Cite magazine |last=Davis |first=Joshua |title=John McAfee Fled to Belize, But He Couldn't Escape Himself |url=https://www.wired.com/2012/12/ff-john-mcafees-last-stand/ |access-date=2024-03-18 |magazine=Wired |language=en-US |issn=1059-1028 |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624032228/https://www.wired.com/2012/12/ff-john-mcafees-last-stand/ |url-status=live }}</ref> As of March 2024, the Stuffmonger account had made 220 posts on the site in 2010 & early 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stuffmonger - User profile |url=https://www.bluelight.org/community/members/stuffmonger.169169/ |access-date=March 18, 2024 |website=Bluelight}}</ref>
In July 2017, McAfee wrote on [[Twitter]] that he predicted that the price of one bitcoin would jump to $500,000 within three years, and "If not, I will eat my own dick on national television."<ref>{{Cite web|last=McAfee|first=John|date=2017-07-17|title=@maguraaa if not, I will eat my dick on national television|url=https://twitter.com/officialmcafee/status/887024683379544065|url-status=live|access-date=2021-06-23|website=Twitter|language=en|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623211537/https://twitter.com/officialmcafee/status/887024683379544065}}</ref> In July 2019, he continued to defend a prediction of $1 million by the end of 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McAfee|first=John|date=2019-07-14|title=I'm still positive about my $1 mil BTC price by the end of 2020.|url=https://twitter.com/officialmcafee/status/1150467506915676168|url-status=live|access-date=2021-06-23|website=Twitter|language=en|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623211506/https://twitter.com/officialmcafee/status/1150467506915676168}}</ref> In January 2020, however, he stated on Twitter that his previous predictions were simply "A ruse to onboard new users", and that bitcoin had limited potential because it was "an ancient technology".<ref name="The Independent 2019-09-04">{{cite news|date=2019-09-04|title=Bitcoin price dips towards $10,000 but john mcafee stands by $1m cryptocurrency bet|work=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/bitcoin-price-latest-john-mcafee-cryptocurrency-btc-bet-twitter-a9005846.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413172125/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/bitcoin-price-latest-john-mcafee-cryptocurrency-btc-bet-twitter-a9005846.html|archive-date=April 13, 2021|accessdate=2021-04-13}}</ref>


In 2012, Belize police spokesman Raphael Martinez confirmed that McAfee was neither convicted nor charged, only suspected.<ref name="Reuters">{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/belize-mcafee-idUSL1E8MD5XK20121114 |title=Software pioneer McAfee says framed for murder in Belize |work=Reuters |date=13 November 2012 |access-date=1 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924172004/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/14/belize-mcafee-idUSL1E8MD5XK20121114 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>
==Personal life==
The night after McAfee arrived in the United States after being deported from Guatemala in December 2012, he was solicited by Janice Dyson, then a prostitute in [[South Beach]] ([[Miami Beach, Florida|Miami Beach]]). The two spent the night together. Despite Dyson being more than 30 years McAfee's junior, McAfee and Dyson subsequently began a relationship, and married in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/tracking-mysterious-cybersecurity-tycoon-john-mcafee-reporters-notebook/story?id=47337598|title=Tracking down John McAfee, mysterious cybersecurity tycoon: Reporter's notebook|last=Gutman|first=Matt|date=May 15, 2017|website=ABC News|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103001551/https://abcnews.go.com/US/tracking-mysterious-cybersecurity-tycoon-john-mcafee-reporters-notebook/story?id=47337598|archive-date=January 3, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=January 5, 2019|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/john-mcafee-says-belize-government-trying-kidnap-him-720189|title=John McAfee says violent cartels are out to get him – and his wife was in on it|last=Cuthbertson|first=Anthony|date=November 23, 2017|website=Newsweek|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105070711/https://www.newsweek.com/john-mcafee-says-belize-government-trying-kidnap-him-720189|archive-date=January 5, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=January 5, 2019|df=mdy-all}}</ref>


In January 2014, while in Canada, he said that when the Belizean government raided his property, it seized his assets, and that his house later burned down under suspicious circumstances.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Jose Pagliery |title=John McAfee enjoying new life in Canada |url=https://money.cnn.com/2014/01/08/technology/john-mcafee/ |website=CNN |access-date=14 August 2020 |date=8 January 2014 |archive-date=10 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200510090745/https://money.cnn.com/2014/01/08/technology/john-mcafee/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
McAfee originally took up residence in [[Portland, Oregon]], in 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wweek.com/portland/blog-29632-software_millionaire_john_mcafee_says_he_is_now_calling_portland_home.html|title=Software Millionaire John McAfee Says He Is Now Calling Portland Home|last=O'Hara|first=Mary Emily|date=January 11, 2013|work=Willamette Week|access-date=February 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130211090947/http://www.wweek.com/portland/blog-29632-software_millionaire_john_mcafee_says_he_is_now_calling_portland_home.html|archive-date=February 11, 2013|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>


On 2 August 2015, McAfee was arrested in [[Henderson County, Tennessee]], on one count of driving under the influence and one count of possession of a firearm while intoxicated.<ref name="tennessee2015">{{cite news |title=John McAfee arrested on DUI, gun charges in Henderson County |work=WBBJ 7 Eye Witness News |url=http://www.wbbjtv.com/video/john-mcafee-arrested-on-dui-gun-charges-in-henderson-county/ |url-status=live |access-date=23 June 2021 |quote=Software guru and West Tennessee resident John McAfee was arrested over the weekend on DUI and gun charges |archive-date=23 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623194520/https://www.wbbjtv.com/2015/08/04/john-mcafee-arrested-on-dui-gun-charges-in-henderson-county/}}</ref>
In a 2012 article in ''[[Mensa Bulletin]]'', the magazine of [[American Mensa]], McAfee stated that being the developer of the first commercial anti-virus program had made him "the most popular hacking target," confiding: "Hackers see hacking me as a badge of honor." He added that for his own security, he has other people buy his computer equipment for him, uses pseudonyms for setting up computers and logging in, and changes his [[IP address]] several times a day.<ref>{{cite news|title=The M Files (interview feature)|work=Mensa Bulletin|date= January 2012|page= 21}}</ref> When asked on another occasion if he personally used McAfee's antivirus software, McAfee replied: "I take it off," and, "It's too annoying."<ref name="FT Magazine">{{cite news |title=Four hours with John McAfee |first=Adam |last=Thomson |work=FT Magazine |date=December 7, 2012 |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/fcc5bdda-3f36-11e2-a095-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2EZ3tRjaS |access-date=December 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121209203718/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/fcc5bdda-3f36-11e2-a095-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2EZ3tRjaS |archive-date=December 9, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>


In July 2019, McAfee and members of his entourage were arrested while his yacht was docked at [[Puerto Plata Province|Puerto Plata]], [[Dominican Republic]], on suspicion of carrying high-caliber weapons and ammunition. They were held for four days and released.<ref>{{cite news |author=Crothers, Brooke |date=25 July 2019 |title=John McAfee released after being detained in the Dominican Republic |url=https://www.foxnews.com/tech/john-mcafee-released-after-detained-dominican-republic |url-status=live |newspaper=Fox News |access-date=26 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725215703/https://www.foxnews.com/tech/john-mcafee-released-after-detained-dominican-republic |archive-date=25 July 2019}}</ref> Weapons were seized, according to the Public Ministry.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-dominican-usa-mcafee-idUSKCN1UL02T |date=26 July 2019 |first1=Ezequiel Abiu |last1=Lopez |first2=Anthony |last2=Esposito |editor1-first=Peter |editor1-last=Cooney |title=McAfee detained in Dominican Republic, released after four days |newspaper=Reuters |accessdate=24 June 2021 |archive-date=16 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016014518/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-dominican-usa-mcafee-idUSKCN1UL02T |url-status=live}}</ref>
McAfee claimed that the former cocaine baron "Boston" [[George Jung]] is writing his official biography, ''No Domain''.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Swartz|first1=Jon|title=John McAfee breaks long silence in interview|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2013/05/12/john-mcafee-portland-belize-mysterious-murder/2135255/#|work=USA Today|access-date=August 15, 2014|date=May 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141002191711/http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2013/05/12/john-mcafee-portland-belize-mysterious-murder/2135255/|archive-date=October 2, 2014|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>


On 11 August 2020, McAfee falsely stated that he was arrested in [[Norway]] during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] after refusing to replace a lace thong with a more effective face mask. He later tweeted a picture of himself with a bruised eye, claiming it occurred during this arrest.<ref>{{cite web |title=The things the DoJ's latest move against McAfee has taught us |url=https://trendinginthenews.com/crypto-currency/the-things-the-dojs-latest-move-against-mcafee-has-taught-us |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424133704/https://trendinginthenews.com/crypto-currency/the-things-the-dojs-latest-move-against-mcafee-has-taught-us |archive-date=24 April 2021 |access-date=24 April 2021 |website=Trending In The News |language=en}}</ref> A photo of the alleged arrest shows an officer with the German word for "police" on his uniform, ostensibly invalidating McAfee's claim of having been arrested in Norway. The [[Augsburg]] police later said he tried to enter Germany on that day, but was not arrested.<ref>{{cite news |title=McAfee trägt statt Schutzmaske einen Tanga |work=Blick |url=https://www.blick.ch/news/ausland/millionaer-am-flughafen-augsburg-d-mit-privatjet-gestoppt-mcafee-traegt-statt-schutzmaske-einen-tanga-id16037999.html |url-status=live |access-date=13 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812224712/https://www.blick.ch/news/ausland/millionaer-am-flughafen-augsburg-d-mit-privatjet-gestoppt-mcafee-traegt-statt-schutzmaske-einen-tanga-id16037999.html |archive-date=12 August 2020}}</ref>
On February 8, 2018, McAfee claimed to reside in [[Lexington, Tennessee]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}}


==Death==
=== Death of Gregory Faull ===
On 12 November 2012, Belize police began to search for McAfee as a [[person of interest]] in connection to the homicide investigation of American immigrant Gregory Viant Faull, who was found dead of a gunshot wound the day before, at his home on the island of [[Ambergris Caye]], the largest island in Belize.<ref name="gizmodo2">{{cite web |url=https://gizmodo.com/5959812/john-mcafee-wanted-for-murder?tag=john-mcafee |title=Exclusive: John McAfee Wanted for Murder |author=Wise, Jeff |website=[[Gizmodo]] |date=12 November 2012 |access-date=9 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625051345/http://gizmodo.com/5959812/john-mcafee-wanted-for-murder?tag=john-mcafee |archive-date=25 June 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="FoxNews">{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/tech/u-s-antivirus-legend-john-mcafee-wanted-for-murder-in-belize |title=Exclusive: U.S. antivirus legend John McAfee wanted for murder in Belize |author1=Kaplan, Jeremy A. |author2=Liu, Alec |work=[[Fox News]] |date=12 November 2012 |access-date=13 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113024605/http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2012/11/12/us-antivirus-legend-john-mcafee-wanted-for-murder-in-belize/ |archive-date=13 November 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> Faull was a neighbor of McAfee's.<ref name="Wired">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/11/threatlevel_1112_mcafee/ |title=Murder Suspect John McAfee: I'm Innocent |last=Davis |first=Joshua |magazine=Wired |date=12 November 2012 |access-date=8 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321121135/http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/11/threatlevel_1112_mcafee |archive-date=21 March 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> In a contemporary interview with ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'',<ref>{{cite news |last1=Menchu |first1=Sofia |last2=Kriel |first2=Lomi |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/belize-mcafee-arrest-idINDEE8B501X20121206 |title=Guatemala detains software guru McAfee, to expel him to Belize |work=Reuters.com |access-date=26 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121212221622/http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/12/06/belize-mcafee-arrest-idINDEE8B501X20121206 |archive-date=12 December 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> McAfee said he had been afraid police would kill him and refused their routine questions and evaded them.<ref name="Wired" /> He buried himself in sand for several hours with a cardboard box over his head.<ref name=":4" /> Belize's prime minister, [[Dean Barrow]], called him "extremely paranoid, even bonkers".<ref name="nickallen">{{cite news |title=John Mcafee is 'bonkers', says Belize prime minister |first=Nick |last=Allen |work=The Telegraph |date=15 November 2012 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/centralamericaandthecaribbean/belize/9681177/John-Mcafee-is-bonkers-says-Belize-prime-minister.html |access-date=15 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116162801/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/centralamericaandthecaribbean/belize/9681177/John-Mcafee-is-bonkers-says-Belize-prime-minister.html |archive-date=16 November 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> He fled Belize rather than cooperate.<ref>{{cite news |last=Menchu |first=Sofia |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/belize-mcafee-arrest-idINDEE8B501X20121206 |title=Guatemala detains software guru McAfee, to expel him to Belize |work=Reuters |access-date=26 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121212221622/http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/12/06/belize-mcafee-arrest-idINDEE8B501X20121206 |archive-date=12 December 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="AFP">{{cite news |title=Fugitive McAfee seeks asylum in Guatemala |work=AFB |date=15 November 2012 |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gcGbmN-CpxHfUnR0bWT1aXQeBVLw?docId=CNG.7c553bdf12ba7d7d1f681c11f209a379.231 |access-date=5 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121208012112/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gcGbmN-CpxHfUnR0bWT1aXQeBVLw?docId=CNG.7c553bdf12ba7d7d1f681c11f209a379.231 |archive-date=8 December 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/belize-mcafee-arrest-idUSL1E8N60A820121206 |title=4-Guatemala detains software guru McAfee, to expel him to Belize |work=Reuters |date=6 December 2012 |access-date=26 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130110023635/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/06/belize-mcafee-arrest-idUSL1E8N60A820121206 |archive-date=10 January 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>
On June 23, 2021, McAfee was found dead in his Barcelona prison cell in Brians 2 Penitentiary, hours after the Spanish National Court approved of his extradition to the United States on tax evasion charges. The Catalan Justice Department said in a statement that "everything indicates" McAfee took his own life.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://elpais.com/economia/2021-06-23/el-fundador-del-antivirus-mcafee-john-mcafee-se-suicida-en-una-prision-de-barcelona.html|title=El fundador del antivirus McAfee, John McAfee, se suicida en una prisión de Barcelona|first=Rebeca|last=Carranco|date=June 23, 2021|website=EL PAÍS|access-date=June 23, 2021|archive-date=June 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623193534/https://elpais.com/economia/2021-06-23/el-fundador-del-antivirus-mcafee-john-mcafee-se-suicida-en-una-prision-de-barcelona.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-06-23|title=John McAfee found dead in prison after Spanish court allows extradition|url=https://reut.rs/3d6VhZP|website=Reuters|access-date=June 23, 2021|archive-date=June 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623200236/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-usa-mcafee-report/john-mcafee-found-dead-in-prison-after-spanish-court-allows-extradition-idUSKCN2DZ2FV|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|last=Feuerherd|first=Ben|date=2021-06-23|title=Antivirus software pioneer John McAfee dies by suicide in prison: report|url=https://nypost.com/2021/06/23/john-mcafee-dies-by-suicide-inside-prison-in-barcelona/|access-date=2021-06-23|website=New York Post|archive-date=June 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623194439/https://nypost.com/2021/06/23/john-mcafee-dies-by-suicide-inside-prison-in-barcelona/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-06-23|title=McAfee antivirus software creator dead in Spanish prison|url=https://apnews.com/article/europe-extradition-technology-business-c39cc0f375a975946fb83b60cc2bf3d3|website=AP News|access-date=June 23, 2021|url-status=live|archive-date=June 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623202210/https://apnews.com/article/europe-extradition-technology-business-c39cc0f375a975946fb83b60cc2bf3d3}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Withers|first=Paul|date=2021-06-23|title=John McAfee dead: Antivirus software supremo found dead in Barcelona prison|url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1453763/John-McAfee-dead-suicide-Barcelona-prison-spain-tax-evasion-probe|access-date=2021-06-23|website=Express.co.uk|language=en|archive-date=June 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623195148/https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1453763/John-McAfee-dead-suicide-Barcelona-prison-spain-tax-evasion-probe|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-06-23|title=BBC News - US tycoon McAfee found dead in Spanish prison: report|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-57589822|website=British Broadcasting Channel|access-date=June 23, 2021|archive-date=June 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623200021/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-57589822|url-status=live}}</ref>


In December 2012, the magazine ''[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]'' accidentally gave away McAfee's location at a Guatemalan resort, when a photo taken by one of its journalists accompanying him was posted with the [[geotagging|EXIF geolocation]] metadata still attached.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.technewsdaily.com/15768-mcafee-rookie-mistake.html |title=McAfee's Rookie Mistake Gives Away His Location |last1=Weitzenkorn |first1=Ben |date=4 December 2012 |work=TechNewsDaily |access-date=5 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121205005905/http://www.technewsdaily.com/15768-mcafee-rookie-mistake.html |archive-date=5 December 2012}}</ref>
==Legal issues==


While in [[Guatemala]], McAfee asked Chad Essley, an American cartoonist and animator, to set up a [[blog]] so he could write about his experience while on the run.<ref>{{cite news |title=John McAfee Starts Blog While in Hiding |url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/11/john-mcafee-starts-blog-while-in-hiding/ |work=ABC News |access-date=18 November 2012 |archive-date=19 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119102527/http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/11/john-mcafee-starts-blog-while-in-hiding/ |url-status=live}}</ref> He then appeared publicly in [[Guatemala City]], where he unsuccessfully sought [[political asylum]].<ref>{{cite news |title=John McAfee refused asylum by Guatemala |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-20629897 |access-date=24 June 2021 |agency=BBC News |date=7 December 2012 |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624070021/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-20629897 |url-status=live}}</ref>
On April 30, 2012, McAfee's property in [[Orange Walk Town]], [[Belize]], was raided by the [[Gang Suppression Unit]] of the [[Belize Police Department]]. At that time, McAfee was in bed with a girlfriend. A GSU press release stated that McAfee was arrested for unlicensed drug manufacturing and possession of an unlicensed weapon.<ref name="gizmodo1"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/69891|title=GSU says McAfee's research facility had unlicensed weapons|work=Channel 5 Belize|date=May 2, 2012|access-date=May 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505070518/http://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/69891|archive-date=May 5, 2012|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/69892|title=Antivirus Founder, John McAfee, says politics caused GSU raid|work=Channel 5 Belize|date=May 2, 2012|access-date=May 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505065142/http://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/69892|archive-date=May 5, 2012|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="kvsmith">{{cite web|website=KVSmith.com|url=http://kvsmith.com/?p=651/print|title=Belize SWAT team raids antivirus pioneer McAfee|publisher=Ken Smith|format=article|date=May 7, 2012|access-date=February 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115032750/http://kvsmith.com/?p=651%2Fprint|archive-date=November 15, 2012|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> He was released without charge.<ref>{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Patrick E. |url=https://news.yahoo.com/belize-police-urge-software-founder-appear-175045107--finance.html |title=Belize police urge software founder to appear |work=Yahoo! News |agency=Associated Press |date=November 13, 2012 |access-date=December 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117034500/http://news.yahoo.com/belize-police-urge-software-founder-appear-175045107--finance.html |archive-date=January 17, 2013 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In 2012, Belize police spokesman, Raphael Martinez, confirmed that McAfee was neither convicted nor charged, only suspected.<ref name="Reuters">{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/14/belize-mcafee-idUSL1E8MD5XK20121114 |title=Software pioneer McAfee says framed for murder in Belize |work=Reuters |date=November 13, 2012 |access-date=July 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924172004/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/14/belize-mcafee-idUSL1E8MD5XK20121114 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}</ref>


In January 2014, McAfee claimed that when the Belizean government raided his property, it seized his assets, and that his house later burned down under suspicious circumstances.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Jose Pagliery |title=John McAfee enjoying new life in Canada |url=https://money.cnn.com/2014/01/08/technology/john-mcafee/ |website=CNN |access-date=14 August 2020 |date=January 8, 2014 |archive-date=May 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200510090745/https://money.cnn.com/2014/01/08/technology/john-mcafee/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
On 5 December 2012, he was arrested for illegally entering Guatemala. Shortly afterward, the board reviewing his asylum plea denied it and he was taken to a detention center to await deportation to Belize.<ref name="Globe and Mail">{{cite news |title=Software founder McAfee denied asylum in Guatemala, being deported to Belize |first=Sonia |last=Perez-Diaz |work=Global and Mail |date=6 December 2012 |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/software-founder-mcafee-denied-asylum-in-guatemala-being-deported-to-belize/article6028990/ |access-date=6 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121206201420/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/software-founder-mcafee-denied-asylum-in-guatemala-being-deported-to-belize/article6028990/ |archive-date=6 December 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>


On November 12, 2012, Belize police started a search for McAfee as a "person of interest" in connection to the murder of American expatriate Gregory Viant Faull. Faull was found dead of a gunshot wound on November 11, 2012, at his home on the island of [[Ambergris Caye]], the largest island in Belize.<ref name="gizmodo2">{{cite web |url=https://gizmodo.com/5959812/john-mcafee-wanted-for-murder?tag=john-mcafee |title=Exclusive: John McAfee Wanted for Murder |author=Wise, Jeff |website=[[Gizmodo]] |date=November 12, 2012 |access-date=September 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625051345/http://gizmodo.com/5959812/john-mcafee-wanted-for-murder?tag=john-mcafee |archive-date=June 25, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="FoxNews">{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2012/11/12/us-antivirus-legend-john-mcafee-wanted-for-murder-in-belize/ |title=Exclusive: U.S. antivirus legend John McAfee wanted for murder in Belize |authors=Kaplan, Jeremy A. & Liu, Alec |work=[[Fox News]] |date=November 12, 2012 |access-date=November 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113024605/http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2012/11/12/us-antivirus-legend-john-mcafee-wanted-for-murder-in-belize/ |archive-date=November 13, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Faull was a neighbor of McAfee's.<ref name="Wired">{{cite news |url=https://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/11/threatlevel_1112_mcafee/ |title=Murder Suspect John McAfee: I'm Innocent |last=Davis |first=Joshua |work=Wired |date=November 12, 2012 |access-date=March 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321121135/http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/11/threatlevel_1112_mcafee |archive-date=March 21, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In a November 2012 interview with ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'',<ref>{{cite news |last1=Menchu |first1=Sofia |last2=Kriel |first2=Lomi |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/12/06/belize-mcafee-arrest-idINDEE8B501X20121206 |title=Guatemala detains software guru McAfee, to expel him to Belize |work=Reuters.com |access-date=December 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121212221622/http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/12/06/belize-mcafee-arrest-idINDEE8B501X20121206 |archive-date=December 12, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> McAfee said that he has always been afraid police would kill him, and thus refused their routine questions; he has since evaded the Belizean authorities.<ref name="Wired"/> Belize's prime minister, [[Dean Barrow]], called McAfee "extremely [[Paranoia|paranoid]], even bonkers."<ref name=nickallen>{{cite news |title=John Mcafee is 'bonkers', says Belize prime minister |first=Nick |last=Allen |work=The Telegraph |date=November 15, 2012 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/centralamericaandthecaribbean/belize/9681177/John-Mcafee-is-bonkers-says-Belize-prime-minister.html |access-date=November 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116162801/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/centralamericaandthecaribbean/belize/9681177/John-Mcafee-is-bonkers-says-Belize-prime-minister.html |archive-date=November 16, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> McAfee fled Belize when he was sought for questioning concerning the murder.<ref>{{cite news |last=Menchu |first=Sofia |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/12/06/belize-mcafee-arrest-idINDEE8B501X20121206 |title=Guatemala detains software guru McAfee, to expel him to Belize |work=Reuters |access-date=December 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121212221622/http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/12/06/belize-mcafee-arrest-idINDEE8B501X20121206 |archive-date=December 12, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref name=AFP>{{cite news |title=Fugitive McAfee seeks asylum in Guatemala |work=AFB |date=November 15, 2012 |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gcGbmN-CpxHfUnR0bWT1aXQeBVLw?docId=CNG.7c553bdf12ba7d7d1f681c11f209a379.231 |access-date=December 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121208012112/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gcGbmN-CpxHfUnR0bWT1aXQeBVLw?docId=CNG.7c553bdf12ba7d7d1f681c11f209a379.231 |archive-date=December 8, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/06/belize-mcafee-arrest-idUSL1E8N60A820121206 |title= 4-Guatemala detains software guru McAfee, to expel him to Belize |work=Reuters |date=December 6, 2012 |access-date=December 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130110023635/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/06/belize-mcafee-arrest-idUSL1E8N60A820121206 |archive-date=January 10, 2013 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
On 6 December 2012, [[Reuters]] and [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] reported that McAfee had two minor heart attacks in the detention center and was hospitalized.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Gutman, Matt |author2=Laurent, Anne |date=6 December 2012 |title=John McAfee Suffers Possible Heart Attack at Guatemala Detention Center |work=ABC News |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/john-mcafee-suffers-heart-attack-guatemala-detention-center/story?id=17890926 |url-status= |access-date=6 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623194519/https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/john-mcafee-suffers-heart-attack-guatemala-detention-center/story?id=17890926 |archive-date=23 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=6 December 2012 |title=John McAfee: Software entrepreneur hospitalized in Guatemala after heart attacks |work=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-mcafee-heart-attack-20121206,0,2291425.story |url-status=live |access-date=6 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121207043629/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-mcafee-heart-attack-20121206,0,2291425.story |archive-date=7 December 2012}}</ref> His lawyer said he had no heart attacks, rather [[high blood pressure]] and [[anxiety attack]]s.<ref>{{cite web |date=7 December 2012 |title=McAfee in hospital scare after losing asylum bid |url=http://www.rappler.com/world/17478-mcafee-in-hospital-scare-after-losing-asylum-bid |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121210120249/http://www.rappler.com/world/17478-mcafee-in-hospital-scare-after-losing-asylum-bid |archive-date=10 December 2012 |access-date=8 December 2012 |website=Rappler.com |agency=[[Agence France-Presse]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Salay |first1=Miguel |date=7 December 2012 |title=McAfee returns to Guatemalan detention center after hospital visit |work=CNN |publisher=Turner Broadcasting System |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2012/12/06/world/americas/guatemala-mcafee-asylum-rejected/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=8 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121208023138/http://edition.cnn.com/2012/12/06/world/americas/guatemala-mcafee-asylum-rejected/index.html |archive-date=8 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=7 December 2012 |title=McAfee ontslagen uit ziekenhuis |url=http://nos.nl/artikel/448809-mcafee-ontslagen-uit-ziekenhuis.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121210123401/http://nos.nl/artikel/448809-mcafee-ontslagen-uit-ziekenhuis.html |archive-date=10 December 2012 |access-date=26 December 2012 |website=NOS.nl}}</ref> McAfee later said he faked the heart attacks to buy time for his attorney to file a series of appeals that ultimately prevented his deportation to Belize, thus hastening that government's decision to send him back to the United States.<ref>{{cite news |last=Zarrella |first=John |title=John McAfee says he faked heart attack to avoid deportation to Belize |url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/13/justice/florida-john-mcafee/index.html?hpt=hp_t4 |work=CNN |access-date=14 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121217055611/http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/13/justice/florida-john-mcafee/index.html?hpt=hp_t4 |archive-date=17 December 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>


On 12 December 2012, McAfee was released and deported to the United States.<ref>{{cite news |title=McAfee Released, Leaving Guatemala For The U.S. |url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/12/12/167035105/mcafee-to-be-released-supporters-say |work=NPR |access-date=12 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121213071424/http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/12/12/167035105/mcafee-to-be-released-supporters-say |archive-date=13 December 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>
The magazine ''[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]'' accidentally gave away McAfee's location at a Guatemalan resort in early December 2012, when a photo taken by one of its journalists accompanying McAfee was posted with the [[geotagging|EXIF geolocation]] metadata still attached.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.technewsdaily.com/15768-mcafee-rookie-mistake.html |title=McAfee's Rookie Mistake Gives Away His Location |last1=Weitzenkorn |first1=Ben |date=December 4, 2012 |work=TechNewsDaily |access-date=December 5, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121205005905/http://www.technewsdaily.com/15768-mcafee-rookie-mistake.html |archive-date=December 5, 2012 }}</ref> While in [[Guatemala]], McAfee asked Chad Essley, an American cartoonist and animator, to set up a blog so that McAfee could write about his experience while on the run.<ref>{{cite news|title=John McAfee Starts Blog While in Hiding|url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/11/john-mcafee-starts-blog-while-in-hiding/|work=ABC News|access-date=November 18, 2012|archive-date=November 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119102527/http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/11/john-mcafee-starts-blog-while-in-hiding/|url-status=live}}</ref> McAfee then appeared publicly in [[Guatemala City]], where he attempted to seek [[political asylum]].


On 14 November 2018, the Circuit Court in [[Orlando, Florida]], refused to dismiss a wrongful death lawsuit against him for Faull's death.<ref>{{cite web |title=United States District Court Ruling Case No: 6:13-cv-1746-Orl-31KRS |url=https://regmedia.co.uk/2018/11/15/faull_estate_v_mcafee_ruling.pdf |website=regmedia.co.uk/ |access-date=16 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181117105031/https://regmedia.co.uk/2018/11/15/faull_estate_v_mcafee_ruling.pdf |archive-date=17 November 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=John McAfee is 'liable' for 2012 death of Belize neighbour, rules court |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/11/15/john_mcafee_liable_death_neighbour_belize/ |website=regmedia.co.uk/ |access-date=16 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115221218/https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/11/15/john_mcafee_liable_death_neighbour_belize/ |archive-date=15 November 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> McAfee did not appear in court, lost the case by default and was ordered to pay $25 million to Faull's estate.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-03-19 |title=Estate of Faull v. McAfee, Case No: 6:13-cv-1746-Orl-31LRH |url=https://casetext.com/case/in-re-faull-4 |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=casetext.com |archive-date=3 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203063112/https://casetext.com/case/in-re-faull-4 |url-status=live }}</ref>
On December 5, 2012, McAfee was arrested for illegally entering Guatemala. Shortly afterward, he was placed under arrest, and a board to review McAfee's plea for asylum was formed. The committee denied his asylum, so he was taken from his holding facility to a detention center in order to await deportation to Belize.<ref name="Globe and Mail">{{cite news |title=Software founder McAfee denied asylum in Guatemala, being deported to Belize |first=Sonia |last=Perez-Diaz |work=Global and Mail |date=December 6, 2012 |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/software-founder-mcafee-denied-asylum-in-guatemala-being-deported-to-belize/article6028990/ |access-date=December 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121206201420/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/software-founder-mcafee-denied-asylum-in-guatemala-being-deported-to-belize/article6028990/ |archive-date=December 6, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>


=== U.S. tax evasion charges and planned extradition ===
On December 6, 2012, [[Reuters]] and [[ABC News]] reported that McAfee had two minor heart attacks in a Guatemalan detention center and was hospitalized.<ref>{{cite news |author=Gutman, Matt & Laurent, Anne |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/john-mcafee-suffers-heart-attack-guatemala-detention-center/story?id=17890926 |title=John McAfee Suffers Possible Heart Attack at Guatemala Detention Center |work=ABC News |date=December 6, 2012 |access-date=December 6, 2012 |archive-date=June 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623194519/https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/john-mcafee-suffers-heart-attack-guatemala-detention-center/story?id=17890926 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-mcafee-heart-attack-20121206,0,2291425.story |title=John McAfee: Software entrepreneur hospitalized in Guatemala after heart attacks |work=Chicago Tribune |date=December 6, 2012 |access-date=December 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121207043629/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-mcafee-heart-attack-20121206,0,2291425.story |archive-date=December 7, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> McAfee's lawyer stated that his client had not suffered heart attacks, but had instead suffered from [[high blood pressure]] and [[anxiety attack]]s.<ref>{{cite web |title=McAfee in hospital scare after losing asylum bid |url=http://www.rappler.com/world/17478-mcafee-in-hospital-scare-after-losing-asylum-bid |website=Rappler.com |agency=[[Agence France-Presse]] |access-date=December 8, 2012 |date=December 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121210120249/http://www.rappler.com/world/17478-mcafee-in-hospital-scare-after-losing-asylum-bid |archive-date=December 10, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2012/12/06/world/americas/guatemala-mcafee-asylum-rejected/index.html |title=McAfee returns to Guatemalan detention center after hospital visit |last1=Salay |first1=Miguel |date=December 7, 2012 |work=CNN |publisher=Turner Broadcasting System |access-date=December 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121208023138/http://edition.cnn.com/2012/12/06/world/americas/guatemala-mcafee-asylum-rejected/index.html |archive-date=December 8, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://nos.nl/artikel/448809-mcafee-ontslagen-uit-ziekenhuis.html |title=McAfee ontslagen uit ziekenhuis |website=NOS.nl |date=December 7, 2012 |access-date=December 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121210123401/http://nos.nl/artikel/448809-mcafee-ontslagen-uit-ziekenhuis.html |archive-date=December 10, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
In January 2019, McAfee announced that he was on the run from U.S. authorities, and living internationally on a boat following the convening of a [[grand jury]] to indict him, his wife, and four of his [[2020 Libertarian Party presidential primaries]] staff on tax evasion charges.<ref name="IRSCharges">{{cite web |url=https://www.foxnews.com/tech/john-mcafee-is-running-from-u-s-authorities-and-running-for-president-on-a-boat |title=John McAfee is running from U.S. authorities – and running for President. On a boat. |last=Cruthers |first=Brooke |date=24 January 2019 |work=Fox News |access-date=14 May 2019 |archive-date=14 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514013238/https://www.foxnews.com/tech/john-mcafee-is-running-from-u-s-authorities-and-running-for-president-on-a-boat |url-status=live}}</ref> At the time, the [[Internal Revenue Service]] had not independently confirmed the existence of any such indictment.<ref name="IRSCharges" />


On 5 October 2020, McAfee was arrested in Spain at the request of the [[United States Department of Justice]] for tax evasion. The June indictment, which was unsealed upon his arrest, alleged he earned millions of dollars from 2014 to 2018, and failed to file income tax returns.<ref name="justice">{{cite news |url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/john-mcafee-indicted-tax-evasion |title=John McAfee Indicted for Tax Evasion |author=Office of Public Affairs, U.S. Department of Justice |date=5 October 2020 |access-date=5 October 2020 |archive-date=5 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005222421/https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/john-mcafee-indicted-tax-evasion |url-status=live}}</ref>
McAfee later said he had faked the heart attacks while being held in Guatemala, to buy time for his attorney to file a series of appeals that ultimately prevented his deportation to Belize, thus hastening the government's decision to send him back to the United States.<ref>{{cite news|last=Zarrella|first=John|title=John McAfee says he faked heart attack to avoid deportation to Belize|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/13/justice/florida-john-mcafee/index.html?hpt=hp_t4|work=CNN|access-date=December 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121217055611/http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/13/justice/florida-john-mcafee/index.html?hpt=hp_t4|archive-date=December 17, 2012|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> On December 12, 2012, McAfee was released from detention in Guatemala, and deported to the United States.<ref>{{cite news|title=McAfee Released, Leaving Guatemala For The U.S.|url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/12/12/167035105/mcafee-to-be-released-supporters-say|work=NPR|access-date=December 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121213071424/http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/12/12/167035105/mcafee-to-be-released-supporters-say|archive-date=December 13, 2012|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>


On 6 October, the [[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]] (SEC) filed a complaint further alleging McAfee and his bodyguard promoted certain [[initial coin offerings]] (ICOs) in a fraudulent [[cryptocurrency]] [[pump and dump]] scheme.<ref name="icofraud">{{cite web |title=SEC Complaint: John David McAfee and Jimmy Gale Watson, Jr. |url=https://www.sec.gov/litigation/complaints/2020/comp-pr2020-246.pdf |website=US Securities and Exchange Commission |publisher=United States Court, Southern District of New York |access-date=24 June 2021 |location=New York |pages=2–5 |language=en |date=5 October 2010 |url-status=live |archive-date=17 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017024032/https://www.sec.gov/litigation/complaints/2020/comp-pr2020-246.pdf}}</ref> It claims he presented himself as an impartial investor when he promoted the ICOs, despite allegedly getting paid $23 million in digital assets in return.<ref name="icofraud" />
On August 2, 2015, McAfee was arrested in [[Henderson County, Tennessee]] on one count of driving under the influence and one count of possession of a firearm while intoxicated.<ref>{{cite news |title=John McAfee arrested on DUI, gun charges in Henderson County |url=http://www.wbbjtv.com/video/john-mcafee-arrested-on-dui-gun-charges-in-henderson-county/ |work=WBBJ 7 Eye Witness News |access-date=March 25, 2016 |archive-date=June 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623194520/https://www.wbbjtv.com/2015/08/04/john-mcafee-arrested-on-dui-gun-charges-in-henderson-county/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


On 5 March 2021, the [[United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York|U.S. Attorney's Office for the
On November 14, 2018, the Circuit Court in [[Orlando, Florida]], refused to dismiss a wrongful death lawsuit against McAfee for Faull's death.<ref>{{cite web |title=United States District Court Ruling Case No: 6:13-cv-1746-Orl-31KRS |url=https://regmedia.co.uk/2018/11/15/faull_estate_v_mcafee_ruling.pdf |website=regmedia.co.uk/ |access-date=November 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181117105031/https://regmedia.co.uk/2018/11/15/faull_estate_v_mcafee_ruling.pdf |archive-date=November 17, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=John McAfee is 'liable' for 2012 death of Belize neighbour, rules court |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/11/15/john_mcafee_liable_death_neighbour_belize/ |website=regmedia.co.uk/ |access-date=November 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115221218/https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/11/15/john_mcafee_liable_death_neighbour_belize/ |archive-date=November 15, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
Southern District of New York]] formally indicted him and an executive adviser on these charges.<ref name="indictment"/>


McAfee was jailed in Spain, pending extradition to the United States.<ref name="indictment">{{cite press release |url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/john-david-mcafee-and-executive-adviser-his-cryptocurrency-team-indicted-manhattan |title=John David McAfee And Executive Adviser Of His Cryptocurrency Team Indicted In Manhattan Federal Court For Fraud And Money Laundering Conspiracy Crimes |agency=U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney's Office Southern District of New York |access-date=5 March 2021 |archive-date=5 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305163907/https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/john-david-mcafee-and-executive-adviser-his-cryptocurrency-team-indicted-manhattan |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Shaban |first=Hamza |title=John McAfee charged with fraud over alleged cryptocurrency scheme |language=en-US |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/03/05/john-mcafee-charged-cryptocurrency/ |access-date=6 March 2021 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=7 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307114626/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/03/05/john-mcafee-charged-cryptocurrency/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
In January 2019, McAfee announced that he was on the run from U.S. authorities, and living internationally on a boat following the convening of a [[Grand Jury]] to indict him, his wife, and four of his [[2020 Libertarian Party presidential primaries|2020 Presidential campaign]] workers on tax-related charges.<ref name=IRSCharges>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/tech/john-mcafee-is-running-from-u-s-authorities-and-running-for-president-on-a-boat|title=John McAfee is running from U.S. authorities – and running for President. On a boat.|last=Cruthers|first=Brooke|date=January 24, 2019|work=Fox News|access-date=May 14, 2019|archive-date=May 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514013238/https://www.foxnews.com/tech/john-mcafee-is-running-from-u-s-authorities-and-running-for-president-on-a-boat|url-status=live}}</ref> The IRS has not independently confirmed the existence of these charges.<ref name="IRSCharges" />


On 23 June 2021, the [[Spanish National Court]] authorized his extradition to face charges in [[Tennessee]];<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/spain-high-court-allows-john-mcafees-extradition-us-rcna1255 |title=Spain High Court allows John McAfee's extradition to the U.S. |website=NBC News |date=23 June 2021 |access-date=23 June 2021 |archive-date=23 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623194528/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/spain-high-court-allows-john-mcafees-extradition-us-rcna1255 |url-status=live}} 23 June 2021.</ref><ref name="wsjannounce" /> McAfee is suspected to have committed suicide several hours after the authorization, though the official ruling has come under suspicion by the public as Mcafee made his disintention to commit suicide clear by his tweet from 2019. The tweet, posted in November 2019, said: "Getting subtle messages from U.S. officials saying, in effect: 'We're coming for you McAfee! We're going to kill yourself'. I got a tattoo today just in case. If I suicide myself, I didn't. I was whackd. Check my right arm." It included a photo of a tattoo that said "$WHACKD."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/john-mcafee-tweet-said-his-suicide-would-him-being-whackd-2021-6|title=2 years before his death, John McAfee posted a tweet saying, 'If I suicide myself, I didn't. I was whackd.'|first=Mia|last=Jankowicz|website=Business Insider|access-date=16 May 2024|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624230129/https://www.businessinsider.com/john-mcafee-tweet-said-his-suicide-would-him-being-whackd-2021-6|url-status=live}}</ref> The New York extradition case was still pending in a lower Spanish court.<ref name="wsjannounce" />
In July 2019, McAfee and members of his entourage were arrested while his yacht was docked at [[Puerto Plata Province|Puerto Plata]], [[Dominican Republic]], on suspicion of carrying high-caliber weapons and ammunition. They were held for four days before being released.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/tech/john-mcafee-released-after-detained-dominican-republic |title=John McAfee released after being detained in the Dominican Republic |author=Crothers, Brooke |date=July 25, 2019 |access-date=July 26, 2019 |archive-date=July 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725215703/https://www.foxnews.com/tech/john-mcafee-released-after-detained-dominican-republic |url-status=live }}</ref>


==Personal life==
On August 11, 2020, McAfee fabricated a hoax<ref>{{cite news |last1=Steinbuch |first1=Yaron |title=John McAfee's 'arrest' over thong face mask was all a hoax |url=https://nypost.com/2020/08/11/john-mcafee-apparently-arrested-for-wearing-thong-instead-of-face-mask/ |access-date=13 August 2020 |work=New York Post |archive-date=June 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623194527/https://nypost.com/2020/08/11/john-mcafee-apparently-arrested-for-wearing-thong-instead-of-face-mask/ |url-status=live }}</ref> that he was arrested in [[Norway]] during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], after refusing to replace a lace thong with a more effective face mask. McAfee later posted a picture of himself to Twitter with a bruised eye, claiming that it occurred during this arrest.<ref>{{cite web |last1=News |first1=Trending In The |title=The things the DoJ's latest move against McAfee has taught us |url=https://trendinginthenews.com/crypto-currency/the-things-the-dojs-latest-move-against-mcafee-has-taught-us |website=Trending In The News |publisher=Trending in the News |access-date=24 April 2021 |language=en |archive-date=April 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424133704/https://trendinginthenews.com/crypto-currency/the-things-the-dojs-latest-move-against-mcafee-has-taught-us |url-status=live }}</ref> However, the photo of the alleged arrest shows an officer with the German word for "police" on their uniform, so it could not have been an arrest in Norway. The [[Augsburg]] Police later confirmed McAfee unsuccessfully attempted to enter Germany on that day, but was not arrested.<ref>{{cite news |title=McAfee trägt statt Schutzmaske einen Tanga |url=https://www.blick.ch/news/ausland/millionaer-am-flughafen-augsburg-d-mit-privatjet-gestoppt-mcafee-traegt-statt-schutzmaske-einen-tanga-id16037999.html |access-date=13 August 2020 |work=Blick |archive-date=August 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812224712/https://www.blick.ch/news/ausland/millionaer-am-flughafen-augsburg-d-mit-privatjet-gestoppt-mcafee-traegt-statt-schutzmaske-einen-tanga-id16037999.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
McAfee married three times. He met his first wife, Fran, circa 1968 while he was working towards a doctorate at [[Northeast Louisiana State College]] and she was an 18-year-old undergraduate student.<ref name=BusinessWeek20230220>{{cite magazine | last1=Tarabay | first1=Jamie | last2=Bremmer | first2=Matthew | date=February 20, 2023 | title=Fear Made John McAfee Rich | magazine=Bloomberg Business Week | publisher=Bloomberg | pages=42 to 47 <!-- Information about first wife is on page 45. --> }}</ref><ref name=Times20210625/> Their affair led to his expulsion from the college.<ref name=Times20210625/> He married his second wife, Judy, a former flight attendant at [[American Airlines]], circa 1987; they divorced in 2002.<ref name=Times20210625/>


The night after McAfee arrived in the United States after being [[deportation|deported]] from [[Guatemala]] in December 2012, he was [[Solicitation#United States|solicited]] by and slept with Janice Dyson, then a prostitute 30 years his junior in [[South Beach]], [[Miami Beach, Florida]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gutman |first=Matt |date=15 May 2017 |title=Tracking down John McAfee, mysterious cybersecurity tycoon: Reporter's notebook |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/tracking-mysterious-cybersecurity-tycoon-john-mcafee-reporters-notebook/story?id=47337598 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103001551/https://abcnews.go.com/US/tracking-mysterious-cybersecurity-tycoon-john-mcafee-reporters-notebook/story?id=47337598 |archive-date=3 January 2019 |access-date=5 January 2019 |website=ABC News |language=en |quote=...McAfee's wife Janice. He met her the day after our interview in [[Miami]]. She was a [[prostitute]]. He says he used that wad of cash to pay her for a day, and the night. A good time that lasted a long time. Four years already}}</ref> They began a relationship and married in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cuthbertson |first=Anthony |date=23 November 2017 |title=John McAfee says violent cartels are out to get him – and his wife was in on it |url=https://www.newsweek.com/john-mcafee-says-belize-government-trying-kidnap-him-720189 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105070711/https://www.newsweek.com/john-mcafee-says-belize-government-trying-kidnap-him-720189 |archive-date=5 January 2019 |access-date=5 January 2019 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}</ref> She claims that he saved her from human traffickers.<ref name=":4" /> The couple moved to [[Portland, Oregon]] in 2013.<ref>{{cite news |last=O'Hara |first=Mary Emily |date=11 January 2013 |title=Software Millionaire John McAfee Says He Is Now Calling Portland Home |work=Willamette Week |url=http://www.wweek.com/portland/blog-29632-software_millionaire_john_mcafee_says_he_is_now_calling_portland_home.html |url-status=live |access-date=23 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130211090947/http://www.wweek.com/portland/blog-29632-software_millionaire_john_mcafee_says_he_is_now_calling_portland_home.html |archive-date=11 February 2013}}</ref>
On October 5, 2020, McAfee was arrested in [[Spain]] at the request of the [[United States Department of Justice|U.S. Department of Justice]] for tax evasion. The indictment alleges he earned millions of dollars from 2014–18, but has failed to file income tax returns.<ref name="justice">{{cite news |url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/john-mcafee-indicted-tax-evasion |title=John McAfee Indicted for Tax Evasion |author=Office of Public Affairs, U.S. Department of Justice |date=October 5, 2020 |access-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005222421/https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/john-mcafee-indicted-tax-evasion |url-status=live }}</ref>


In a 2012 article in ''[[Mensa Bulletin]]'', the magazine of the [[American Mensa]], McAfee said developing the first commercial antivirus program had made him "the most popular hacking target" and "[h]ackers see hacking me as a badge of honor." For his own cybersecurity, he said he had other people buy his computer equipment for him, used pseudonyms for setting up computers and logins, and changed his [[IP address]] several times a day.<ref>{{cite news |date=January 2012 |title=The M Files (interview feature) |page=21 |work=Mensa Bulletin}}</ref> When asked on another occasion if he personally used McAfee's antivirus software, he replied: "I take it off [...] it's too annoying."<ref name="FT Magazine">{{cite news |last=Thomson |first=Adam |date=7 December 2012 |title=Four hours with John McAfee |work=FT Magazine |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/fcc5bdda-3f36-11e2-a095-00144feabdc0.html |url-status=live |access-date=10 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121209203718/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/fcc5bdda-3f36-11e2-a095-00144feabdc0.html |archive-date=9 December 2012}}</ref>
On October 6, 2020, the [[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]] filed a complaint<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sec.gov/litigation/complaints/2020/comp-pr2020-246.pdf|title=John McAfee Charged with Fraudulently Touting ICOs|author=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission|access-date=October 14, 2020|archive-date=October 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017024032/https://www.sec.gov/litigation/complaints/2020/comp-pr2020-246.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> alleging that McAfee had fraudulently promoted certain [[Initial coin offering|ICO]]s. According to the SEC, McAfee presented himself as an impartial investor when he promoted the ICOs, despite the fact that he was allegedly paid $23 million in digital assets in exchange for the promotions.


According to a 2016 article, McAfee had been using the then legal drug [[Alpha-Pyrrolidinohexiophenone|alpha-PHP]] which he imported from China and which may have caused his paranoia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wise |first=Jeff |date=2016-09-30 |title=The Obscure, Legal Drug That Fuels John McAfee |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2016/09/the-obscure-legal-drug-that-fuels-john-mcafee.html |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=Intelligencer |language=en |archive-date=21 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121184711/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2016/09/the-obscure-legal-drug-that-fuels-john-mcafee.html |url-status=live }}</ref> McAfee reportedly previously used the stimulant drug [[MDPV]] beginning in 2010, and was a member of the online drug discussion forum [[Bluelight (web forum)|Bluelight]].<ref name=":1" />
On March 5, 2021, the [[United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York | U.S. Attorney's Office for the
Southern District of New York]] announced that they had formally indicted McAfee and an executive adviser for allegedly fraudulently promoting certain [[Cryptocurrency|cryptocurrencies]] and performing [[Pump and dump|pump and dump schemes]]. McAfee was incarcerated in Spain, pending extradition to the United States.<ref name="indictment">{{cite news|url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/john-david-mcafee-and-executive-adviser-his-cryptocurrency-team-indicted-manhattan|title=John David McAfee And Executive Adviser Of His Cryptocurrency Team Indicted In Manhattan Federal Court For Fraud And Money Laundering Conspiracy Crimes|author=U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office Southern District of New York|access-date=March 5, 2021|archive-date=March 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305163907/https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/john-david-mcafee-and-executive-adviser-his-cryptocurrency-team-indicted-manhattan|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Shaban|first=Hamza|title=John McAfee charged with fraud over alleged cryptocurrency scheme|language=en-US|work=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/03/05/john-mcafee-charged-cryptocurrency/|access-date=2021-03-06|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=March 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307114626/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/03/05/john-mcafee-charged-cryptocurrency/|url-status=live}}</ref>


In 2015, he resided in [[Lexington, Tennessee]].<ref name="tennessee2015" />
On June 23, 2021, McAfee was found dead by apparent suicide in his prison cell.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-06-23|title=U.S. software mogul John McAfee dies by hanging in Spanish prison - lawyer says|url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/john-mcafee-found-dead-prison-after-spanish-court-allows-extradition-2021-06-23/|access-date=2021-06-23|website=Reuters|archive-date=June 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623195144/https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/john-mcafee-found-dead-prison-after-spanish-court-allows-extradition-2021-06-23/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Spanish National Court had authorized the extradition of McAfee to the United States shortly before his death.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/spain-high-court-allows-john-mcafees-extradition-us-rcna1255|title=Spain High Court allows John McAfee's extradition to the U.S.|website=NBC News|access-date=June 23, 2021|archive-date=June 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623194528/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/spain-high-court-allows-john-mcafees-extradition-us-rcna1255|url-status=live}} June 23, 2021.</ref>


In December 2018, he tweeted that he had "47 genetic children."<ref name="children">{{cite tweet |last=McAfee |first=John |author-link=John McAfee |user=officialmcafee |number=1078845703340867584 |date=29 December 2018 |title=@PugCoins @theemrsmcafee I have 47 genetic children. |language=en |access-date=15 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220911031022/https://twitter.com/officialmcafee/status/1078845703340867584 |archive-date=11 September 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-57591682 |title=The final years of John McAfee's controversial life |author=James Clayton |website=[[BBC News]] |date=24 June 2021 |access-date=24 June 2021 |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624144347/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-57591682 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Sarah Marsh |title=Fugitive U.S. tech guru: Cryptocurrency is next Cuban revolution |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cuba-usa-mcafee-idUSKCN1U028D |website=[[Reuters]] |date=5 July 2019 |access-date=24 June 2021 |archive-date=7 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107232031/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cuba-usa-mcafee-idUSKCN1U028D |url-status=live}}</ref> His third wife described him in a Father's Day message as "father of many, loved by few."<ref name=":4" />
==In the media==


==Death==
''[[Gringo: The Dangerous Life of John McAfee]]'' is a [[Showtime Networks]] documentary about the portion of McAfee's life spent in Belize. It began airing in September 2016.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.sho.com/titles/3437264/gringo-the-dangerous-life-of-john-mcafee|title=Gringo: The Dangerous Life of John McAfee|publisher=ShowTime|date=2016|access-date=September 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927103729/http://www.sho.com/titles/3437264/gringo-the-dangerous-life-of-john-mcafee|archive-date=September 27, 2016|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The documentary covers allegations of both the rape of McAfee's former business partner, Allison Adonizio, and the murders of Belizean David Middleton and American expat Gregory Faull.<ref>{{ cite news |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/9/12/12887124/john-mcafee-rape-murder-accusations-gringo-documentary-tiff |title=New Showtime doc accuses John McAfee of rape and involvement in two murders |work=The Verge |date=September 16, 2016 |author=Zelenko, Michael |access-date=June 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610145937/https://www.theverge.com/2016/9/12/12887124/john-mcafee-rape-murder-accusations-gringo-documentary-tiff |archive-date=June 10, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{ cite news |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/john-mcafee-accused-of-rape-and-murder-in-explosive-new-doc |title=John McAfee Accused of Rape and Murder in Explosive New Doc |author=Yamato, Jen |work=The Daily Beast |date=December 9, 2016 |access-date=June 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613034853/http://www.thedailybeast.com/john-mcafee-accused-of-rape-and-murder-in-explosive-new-doc |archive-date=June 13, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In an interview with Bloomberg's Pimm Fox and Kathleen Hayes on September 8, 2016, McAfee claimed that these incidents were fabricated, saying that "Belize is a third-world [[banana republic]] and you can go down there and make any story you want if you pay your interviewees, which Showtime did."<ref>{{ cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2016-09-08/john-mcafee-showtime-s-gringo-documentary-is-fiction|date=September 8, 2016|work=Bloomberg|title=Jonh McAfee: Showtime's 'Gringo' Documentary is Fiction|access-date=June 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805163028/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2016-09-08/john-mcafee-showtime-s-gringo-documentary-is-fiction|archive-date=August 5, 2017|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/other/john-mcafee-showtimes-gringo-documentary-is-fiction/vp-AAiFeCk|date=September 8, 2016|work=MSN News|title=John McAfee: Showtime's 'Gringo' Documentary is Fiction|access-date=June 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201035916/http://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/other/john-mcafee-showtimes-gringo-documentary-is-fiction/vp-AAiFeCk|archive-date=December 1, 2017|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
On 23 June 2021, McAfee was found dead in his prison cell, hours after the Spanish National Court ordered his [[extradition]] to the United States on criminal charges filed in [[Tennessee]] by the [[United States Department of Justice Tax Division]].<ref name="wsjannounce" /> The [[Catalan Justice Department]] said "everything indicates" he killed himself by hanging.<ref name="Larger" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Carranco |first=Rebeca |date=23 June 2021 |title=El fundador del antivirus McAfee, John McAfee, se suicida en una prisión de Barcelona |url=https://elpais.com/economia/2021-06-23/el-fundador-del-antivirus-mcafee-john-mcafee-se-suicida-en-una-prision-de-barcelona.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623193534/https://elpais.com/economia/2021-06-23/el-fundador-del-antivirus-mcafee-john-mcafee-se-suicida-en-una-prision-de-barcelona.html |archive-date=23 June 2021 |access-date=23 June 2021 |website=EL PAÍS}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Li |first1=David K. |last2=Arisekola |first2=Segilola |last3=Dasrath |first3=Diana |date=23 June 2021 |title=John McAfee dies by suicide, hours after Spanish court authorized his extradition to U.S. |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/john-mcafee-dies-suicide-hours-after-spanish-court-authorized-his-n1272176 |publisher=NBC |access-date=23 June 2021 |archive-date=23 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623204006/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/john-mcafee-dies-suicide-hours-after-spanish-court-authorized-his-n1272176 |url-status=live}}</ref> An official [[autopsy]] confirmed his suicide.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |title=Autopsy reportedly shows antivirus creator John McAfee died by suicide in Spanish prison cell |work=[[The Globe and Mail]] |publisher= |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-autopsy-reportedly-shows-antivirus-creator-john-mcafee-died-by-suicide/ |access-date=30 June 2021 |archive-date=30 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630073125/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-autopsy-reportedly-shows-antivirus-creator-john-mcafee-died-by-suicide/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":7" /> A Spanish court also ruled McAfee died by suicide.<ref name=cod>{{Cite news|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/john-mcafee-died-by-suicide-spanish-court-rules-after-prolonged-delay-11644786188?mod=home-page|title=John McAfee died by suicide, Spanish court rules after prolonged delay|newspaper=Marketwatch |access-date=14 February 2022|archive-date=13 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213220215/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/john-mcafee-died-by-suicide-spanish-court-rules-after-prolonged-delay-11644786188?mod=home-page|url-status=live |last1=Swartz |first1=Jon }}</ref>


McAfee's death ignited speculation and [[Conspiracy theory|conspiracy theories]] about the possibility that he was murdered. Such speculation was particularly fueled by a 2019 post McAfee made on Twitter that read, in part, "If I suicide myself, I didn't. I was whackd {{sic}}."<ref>{{cite tweet |last=McAfee |first=John |author-link=John McAfee |user=officialmcafee |number=1200864283766251521 |date=30 November 2019 |title=Getting subtle messages from U.S. officials saying, in effect: "We're coming for you McAfee! We're going to kill yourself". I got a tattoo today just in case. If I suicide myself, I didn't. I was whackd. Check my right arm. $WHACKD available only on https://t.co/HdSEYi9krq:) https://t.co/rJ0Vi2Hpjj |language=en |access-date=15 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221221211359/https://twitter.com/officialmcafee/status/1200864283766251521 |archive-date=21 December 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> McAfee's death drew comparisons to the circumstances of the [[Death of Jeffrey Epstein|death of American financier Jeffrey Epstein]], who was found dead in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Greenspan |first1=Rachel E. |last2=Asarch |first2=Steven |title=QAnon followers are already spreading Epstein-like conspiracy theories about John McAfee's reported suicide |website=Business Insider |date=23 June 2021 |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/john-mcafee-death-suicide-qanon-jeffrey-epstein-conspiracy-theories-2021-6 |access-date=15 July 2021 |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624144330/https://www.businessinsider.com/john-mcafee-death-suicide-qanon-jeffrey-epstein-conspiracy-theories-2021-6 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=23 June 2021 |title=John McAfee: antivirus entrepreneur found dead in Spanish prison |url=http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/23/john-mcafee-dead-spain-prison-extradition |access-date=24 June 2021 |website=the Guardian |language=en |archive-date=23 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623232958/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/23/john-mcafee-dead-spain-prison-extradition |url-status=live}}</ref> Several times, McAfee claimed if he were ever found dead by hanging, it would mean he was murdered.<ref>{{Cite news |title=John McAfee's Ominous Suicide Tweets Stir Epstein-Style Conspiracies After Death in Jail |url=https://www.newsweek.com/john-mcafee-tweet-2020-surfaces-saying-if-he-dies-jail-its-not-suicide-1603546 |last=Villarreal |first=Daniel |date=23 June 2021 |work=Newsweek |access-date=24 June 2021 |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624070553/https://www.newsweek.com/john-mcafee-tweet-2020-surfaces-saying-if-he-dies-jail-its-not-suicide-1603546 |url-status=live }}</ref> The day after his death, his lawyer told reporters that while he regularly maintained contact with McAfee in prison, there were no signs of suicidal intent.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 June 2021 |title=Lawyer saw no sign that software mogul McAfee would kill himself |url=http://www.reuters.com/world/lawyer-saw-no-sign-that-software-mogul-mcafee-would-kill-himself-2021-06-24 |access-date=24 June 2021 |website=Reuters |language=en |url-status=live |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201342/https://www.reuters.com/world/lawyer-saw-no-sign-that-software-mogul-mcafee-would-kill-himself-2021-06-24/}}</ref> McAfee's widow reaffirmed this position in her first public remarks since her husband's death, and also called for a "thorough" investigation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 June 2021 |title=Widow says antivirus pioneer John McAfee was not suicidal |url=https://apnews.com/article/john-mcafee-europe-business-technology-c3a6940808a8dd86a59ed71df0ff3fc2 |access-date=25 June 2021 |website=Associated Press |language=en |url-status=live |archive-date=25 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625134006/https://apnews.com/article/john-mcafee-europe-business-technology-c3a6940808a8dd86a59ed71df0ff3fc2}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=25 June 2021 |title=Software entrepreneur's John McAfee widow blames U.S. for death |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/software-entrepreneur-john-mcafee-was-not-suicidal-widow-says-2021-06-25/ |access-date=25 June 2021 |website=Reuters |language=en |url-status=live |archive-date=25 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625145741/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/software-entrepreneur-john-mcafee-was-not-suicidal-widow-says-2021-06-25/}}</ref>
In March 2017, it was reported that [[Glenn Ficarra]] and [[John Requa]] would direct a film about McAfee titled ''King of the Jungle'', with a script by [[Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski]]. At various points, [[Johnny Depp]], [[Michael Keaton]], and [[Seth Rogen]] were reported to have been signed to roles in the film and later to have left the project. In November 2019, [[Zac Efron]] was reported to be starring in the film.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Mike Fleming |title=Bart & Fleming: Johnny Depp, Natalie Portman Drive Tempting Packages As Strike Talk Looms |url=https://deadline.com/2017/03/johnny-depp-natalie-portman-john-mcafee-film-packages-writers-strike-talk-1202052918/ |website=Deadline |access-date=14 August 2020 |date=March 27, 2017 |archive-date=March 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170328193751/https://deadline.com/2017/03/johnny-depp-natalie-portman-john-mcafee-film-packages-writers-strike-talk-1202052918/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Robert Mitchell |title=STX Close to Taking U.S. Rights to King of the Jungle With Seth Rogen, Michael Keaton |url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/stx-king-of-the-jungle-seth-rogen-michael-keaton-1203131131/ |website=Variety |access-date=14 August 2020 |date=February 7, 2019 |archive-date=August 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806222726/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/stx-king-of-the-jungle-seth-rogen-michael-keaton-1203131131/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Jeff Snyder |title=Zac Efron Replaces Seth Rogen in John McAfee Movie 'King of the Jungle' |url=https://collider.com/zac-efron-john-mcafee-movie-king-of-the-jungle/ |website=Collider |access-date=14 August 2020 |date=November 4, 2019 |archive-date=November 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105170315/https://collider.com/zac-efron-john-mcafee-movie-king-of-the-jungle/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Borys Kit |title=Zac Efron to Star in John McAfee Comedy 'King of the Jungle' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/zac-efron-star-john-mcafee-comedy-king-jungle-1252230 |website=Hollywood Reporter |access-date=14 August 2020 |date=November 4, 2019 |archive-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005230526/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/zac-efron-star-john-mcafee-comedy-king-jungle-1252230 |url-status=live }}</ref>


On 14 December 2023, the morgue delivered McAfee's body to his family to be taken to the United States for his funeral. Until then, it had been kept in a refrigerator at the [[Ciutat de la Justícia de Barcelona i l'Hospitalet de Llobregat|Justice City of Barcelona]].<ref name="Pareja">{{cite news |last1=Pareja |first1=Pol |title=La familia de John McAfee recupera su cadáver dos años y medio después de su muerte en prisión |url=https://www.eldiario.es/catalunya/familia-mcafee-recupera-cadaver-anos-medio-despues-muerte-prision_1_10767732.html |access-date=15 December 2023 |work=elDiario.es |date=14 December 2023 |language=es |archive-date=14 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214164200/https://www.eldiario.es/catalunya/familia-mcafee-recupera-cadaver-anos-medio-despues-muerte-prision_1_10767732.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
On May 12, 2017, McAfee was interviewed on ABC's ''[[20/20 (U.S. TV series)|20/20]]'' regarding the alleged murder of his neighbor, Greg Faull. McAfee's wife, Janice, was interviewed in the segment as well.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Scoop-2020-on-ABC-Friday-May-12-2017-20170511|title=Scoop|work=20/20|publisher=ABC|date=May 12, 2017|access-date=May 14, 2017|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170513092512/http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Scoop-2020-on-ABC-Friday-May-12-2017-20170511|archive-date=May 13, 2017|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>


== Bibliography ==
==In the media==
''[[Gringo: The Dangerous Life of John McAfee]]'' is a [[Showtime Networks]] documentary about the portion of McAfee's life spent in Belize. It began airing in September 2016.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.sho.com/titles/3437264/gringo-the-dangerous-life-of-john-mcafee |title=Gringo: The Dangerous Life of John McAfee |publisher=ShowTime |date=2016 |access-date=25 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927103729/http://www.sho.com/titles/3437264/gringo-the-dangerous-life-of-john-mcafee |archive-date=27 September 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> It covers allegations of him drugging and sexually assaulting his business partner from QuorumEx, Allison Adonizio, and ordering the murders of Belizean David Middleton and American expat Gregory Faull.<ref>{{ cite news |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/9/12/12887124/john-mcafee-rape-murder-accusations-gringo-documentary-tiff |title=New Showtime doc accuses John McAfee of rape and involvement in two murders |work=The Verge |date=16 September 2016 |author=Zelenko, Michael |access-date=10 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610145937/https://www.theverge.com/2016/9/12/12887124/john-mcafee-rape-murder-accusations-gringo-documentary-tiff |archive-date=10 June 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{ cite news |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/john-mcafee-accused-of-rape-and-murder-in-explosive-new-doc |title=John McAfee Accused of Rape and Murder in Explosive New Doc |author=Yamato, Jen |work=The Daily Beast |date=9 December 2016 |access-date=10 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613034853/http://www.thedailybeast.com/john-mcafee-accused-of-rape-and-murder-in-explosive-new-doc |archive-date=13 June 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> In an interview with [[Bloomberg News|Bloomberg]]'s [[Pimm Fox]] and Kathleen Hayes on 8 September 2016, McAfee said these incidents were fabricated, and "Belize is a third-world banana republic and you can go down there and make any story you want if you pay your interviewees, which Showtime did."<ref>{{ cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2016-09-08/john-mcafee-showtime-s-gringo-documentary-is-fiction|date=8 September 2016|work=Bloomberg|title=John McAfee: Showtime's 'Gringo' Documentary is Fiction|access-date=10 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805163028/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2016-09-08/john-mcafee-showtime-s-gringo-documentary-is-fiction|archive-date=5 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/other/john-mcafee-showtimes-gringo-documentary-is-fiction/vp-AAiFeCk |date=8 September 2016 |work=MSN News |title=John McAfee: Showtime's 'Gringo' Documentary is Fiction |access-date=10 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201035916/http://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/other/john-mcafee-showtimes-gringo-documentary-is-fiction/vp-AAiFeCk |archive-date=1 December 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>


[[Glenn Ficarra]] and [[John Requa]] stated in 2017 they would direct a film about McAfee titled ''King of the Jungle'', written by [[Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski]]. At various points, [[Johnny Depp]], [[Michael Keaton]], and [[Seth Rogen]] were reported to have taken roles and later to have left the project. [[Zac Efron]] was reported to star as journalist Ari Furman.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Mike Fleming |title=Bart & Fleming: Johnny Depp, Natalie Portman Drive Tempting Packages As Strike Talk Looms |url=https://deadline.com/2017/03/johnny-depp-natalie-portman-john-mcafee-film-packages-writers-strike-talk-1202052918/ |website=Deadline |access-date=14 August 2020 |date=27 March 2017 |archive-date=28 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170328193751/https://deadline.com/2017/03/johnny-depp-natalie-portman-john-mcafee-film-packages-writers-strike-talk-1202052918/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Robert Mitchell |title=STX Close to Taking U.S. Rights to King of the Jungle With Seth Rogen, Michael Keaton |url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/stx-king-of-the-jungle-seth-rogen-michael-keaton-1203131131/ |website=Variety |access-date=14 August 2020 |date=7 February 2019 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806222726/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/stx-king-of-the-jungle-seth-rogen-michael-keaton-1203131131/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Jeff Snyder |title=Zac Efron Replaces Seth Rogen in John McAfee Movie 'King of the Jungle' |url=https://collider.com/zac-efron-john-mcafee-movie-king-of-the-jungle/ |website=Collider |access-date=14 August 2020 |date=4 November 2019 |archive-date=5 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105170315/https://collider.com/zac-efron-john-mcafee-movie-king-of-the-jungle/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Borys Kit |title=Zac Efron to Star in John McAfee Comedy 'King of the Jungle' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/zac-efron-star-john-mcafee-comedy-king-jungle-1252230 |website=Hollywood Reporter |access-date=14 August 2020 |date=4 November 2019 |archive-date=5 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005230526/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/zac-efron-star-john-mcafee-comedy-king-jungle-1252230 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* (written with Colin Haynes) ''Computer Viruses, Worms, Data Diddlers, Killer Programs, and Other Threats to Your System. What They Are, how They Work, and how to Defend Your PC, Mac, Or Mainframe'', St. Martin's Press, 1989<ref>{{Cite book|last1=McAfee|first1=John|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Uct6QgAACAAJ|title=Computer Viruses, Worms, Data Diddlers, Killer Programs, and Other Threats to Your System: What They Are, how They Work, and how to Defend Your PC, Mac, Or Mainframe|last2=Haynes|first2=Colin|date=1989|publisher=St. Martin's Press|isbn=978-0-312-03064-3|language=en|access-date=June 10, 2021|archive-date=June 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610143120/https://books.google.com/books?id=Uct6QgAACAAJ&newbks=0&hl=fr|url-status=live}}</ref>


* ''The Secret of the Yamas. Spiritual Guide to Yoga'', McAfee Pub, 2001<ref>{{Cite book|last=McAfee|first=John|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1j0CAAAACAAJ|title=The Secret of the Yamas: A Spiritual Guide to Yoga|date=2001-09-01|publisher=McAfee Pub|isbn=978-0-9711569-0-6|language=en|access-date=June 10, 2021|archive-date=June 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610142004/https://books.google.com/books?id=1j0CAAAACAAJ&newbks=0&hl=fr|url-status=live}}</ref>
McAfee and his wife were interviewed on [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]'s ''[[20/20 (U.S. TV series)|20/20]]'' regarding Faull's murder.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Scoop-2020-on-ABC-Friday-May-12-2017-20170511 |title=Scoop |work=20/20 |publisher=ABC |date=12 May 2017 |access-date=14 May 2017 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170513092512/http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Scoop-2020-on-ABC-Friday-May-12-2017-20170511 |archive-date=13 May 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

* ''The Fabric Of Self: Meditations on Vanity and Love'', Woodland Publications, 2001<ref>{{Cite book|last=McAfee|first=John|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N0DKSVrTpZMC|title=The Fabric of Self: Meditations on Vanity and Love|date=2001-09-10|publisher=Woodland Publications|isbn=978-0-9711569-2-0|language=en|access-date=June 10, 2021|archive-date=June 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610142002/https://books.google.com/books?id=N0DKSVrTpZMC&newbks=0&hl=fr|url-status=live}}</ref>
The 2022 documentary film ''[[Running With the Devil: The Wild World of John McAfee]]'' includes footage from an unreleased documentary by ''[[Vice Media|Vice]]'', and interviews by [[Rocco Castoro]], Alex Cody Foster, and [[Robert King (photojournalist)|Robert King]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.engadget.com/running-with-the-devil-john-mcafee-netflix-documentary-review-130059579.html|title='Running with the Devil' offers an unpleasant glimpse at the 'real' John McAfee|publisher=Engadget|date=12 May 2017 |access-date=20 August 2022|language=en}}</ref>
* ''Into the Heart of Truth'', Woodland Publications, 2001<ref>{{Cite book|last=McAfee|first=John|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gg9iZzNSN3oC|title=Into the Heart of Truth|date=2001|publisher=Woodland Publications|isbn=978-0-9711569-1-3|language=en|access-date=June 10, 2021|archive-date=June 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610143118/https://books.google.com/books?id=gg9iZzNSN3oC&newbks=0&hl=fr|url-status=live}}</ref>

* ''Beyond the Siddhis. Supernatural Powers and the Sutras of Patanjali'', Woodland Publications, 2001<ref>{{Cite book|last=McAfee|first=John|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uREH_t3FjuoC|title=Beyond the Siddhis: Supernatural Powers and the Sutras of Patanjali|date=2001|publisher=Woodland Pub.|isbn=978-0-9711569-3-7|language=en|access-date=June 10, 2021|archive-date=June 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610142002/https://books.google.com/books?id=uREH_t3FjuoC&newbks=0&hl=fr|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Books ==
* ''Computer Viruses, Worms, Data Diddlers, Killer Programs, and Other Threats to Your System. What They Are, How They Work, and How to Defend Your PC, Mac, or Mainframe'', (with Colin Haynes) [[St. Martin's Press]], 1989<ref>{{Cite book |last1=McAfee |first1=John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Uct6QgAACAAJ |title=Computer Viruses, Worms, Data Diddlers, Killer Programs, and Other Threats to Your System: What They Are, How They Work, and How to Defend Your PC, Mac, or Mainframe |last2=Haynes |first2=Colin |date=1989 |publisher=St. Martin's Press |isbn=978-0-312-03064-3 |language=en |access-date=10 June 2021 |archive-date=10 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610143120/https://books.google.com/books?id=Uct6QgAACAAJ&newbks=0&hl=fr |url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''The Secret of the Yamas: Spiritual Guide to Yoga'', McAfee Pub, 2001<ref>{{Cite book |last=McAfee |first=John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1j0CAAAACAAJ |title=The Secret of the Yamas: A Spiritual Guide to Yoga |year=2001 |publisher=McAfee Pub |isbn=978-0-9711569-0-6 |language=en |access-date=10 June 2021 |archive-date=10 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610142004/https://books.google.com/books?id=1j0CAAAACAAJ&newbks=0&hl=fr |url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''The Fabric of Self: Meditations on Vanity and Love'', Woodland Publications, 2001<ref>{{Cite book |last=McAfee |first=John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N0DKSVrTpZMC |title=The Fabric of Self: Meditations on Vanity and Love |year=2001 |publisher=Woodland Publications |isbn=978-0-9711569-2-0 |language=en |access-date=10 June 2021 |archive-date=10 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610142002/https://books.google.com/books?id=N0DKSVrTpZMC&newbks=0&hl=fr |url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''Into the Heart of Truth'', Woodland Publications, 2001<ref>{{Cite book |last=McAfee |first=John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gg9iZzNSN3oC |title=Into the Heart of Truth |date=2001 |publisher=Woodland Publications |isbn=978-0-9711569-1-3 |language=en |access-date=10 June 2021 |archive-date=10 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610143118/https://books.google.com/books?id=gg9iZzNSN3oC&newbks=0&hl=fr |url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''Beyond the Siddhis. Supernatural Powers and the Sutras of Patanjali'', Woodland Publications, 2001<ref>{{Cite book |last=McAfee |first=John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uREH_t3FjuoC |title=Beyond the Siddhis: Supernatural Powers and the Sutras of Patanjali |date=2001 |publisher=Woodland Pub. |isbn=978-0-9711569-3-7 |language=en |access-date=10 June 2021 |archive-date=10 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610142002/https://books.google.com/books?id=uREH_t3FjuoC&newbks=0&hl=fr |url-status=live}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
{{notelist}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/2012/12/ff-john-mcafees-last-stand/ |title=John McAfee Fled to Belize, But He Couldn't Escape Himself |date=24 December 2012 |last=Davis |first=Joshua |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |access-date=23 June 2021}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [https://www.c-span.org/person/?102358/JohnDMcAfee Appearances] on [[C-SPAN]]
{{Wikiquote|John McAfee|McAfee Quotes}}
* [http://www.whoismcafee.com/ John McAfee's website]
* [http://www.whoismcafee.com/ John McAfee's website]
* {{imdb name|2538937}}
* {{IMDb name|2538937}}


{{McAfee}}
{{McAfee}}
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Latest revision as of 18:06, 19 December 2024

John McAfee
McAfee at Politicon in 2016
Born
John David McAfee

(1945-09-18)18 September 1945
Died23 June 2021(2021-06-23) (aged 75)
Cause of deathSuicide by hanging[1]
Nationality
  • British
  • American
EducationRoanoke College (BA)
Occupations
Known forFounder of McAfee Corp.
Political partyLibertarian (before 2015, 2016–2021)
Other political
affiliations
Cyber (2015–2016)
Criminal chargesTax evasion
Spouses
Fran
(divorced)
Judy Chambliss
(div. 2002)
Janice Dyson
(m. 2013)
Children1[2][a]

John David McAfee (/ˈmækəf/ MAK-ə-fee;[5][6] 18 September 1945 – 23 June 2021) was a British and American computer programmer, businessman, and two-time presidential candidate who unsuccessfully sought the Libertarian Party nomination for president of the United States in 2016 and in 2020. In 1987, he wrote the first commercial anti-virus software, founding McAfee Associates to sell his creation. He resigned in 1994 and sold his remaining stake in the company.[7] McAfee became the company's most vocal critic in later years, urging consumers to uninstall the company's anti-virus software, which he characterized as bloatware. He disavowed the company's continued use of his name in branding, a practice that has persisted in spite of a short-lived corporate rebrand attempt under Intel ownership.

McAfee's fortunes plummeted in the financial crisis of 2007–2008. After leaving McAfee Associates, he founded the companies Tribal Voice (makers of the PowWow chat program), QuorumEx, and Future Tense Central, among others, and was involved in leadership positions in the companies Everykey, MGT Capital Investments, and Luxcore, among others. His personal and business interests included smartphone apps, cryptocurrency, yoga, light-sport aircraft[8] and recreational drug use. He resided for a number of years in Belize, but returned to the United States in 2013 while wanted in Belize for questioning on suspicion of murder.[9]

In October 2020, McAfee was arrested in Spain over U.S. tax evasion charges.[10] U.S. federal prosecutors brought criminal and civil charges alleging that McAfee had failed to file income taxes over a four-year period.[11][12] On 23 June 2021, he was found dead due to an apparent suicide by hanging in his prison cell near Barcelona shortly after the Spanish National Court authorized his extradition to the U.S.[13][14][15] His death generated speculation and theories about the possibility that he was murdered.[16] McAfee's wife, Janice McAfee, said she did not believe McAfee died by suicide.[17][18]

Early life

[edit]

McAfee was born in Cinderford, in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England,[19] on 18 September 1945,[20] on a U.S. Army base (of the 596th Ordnance Ammunition Company), to an American father, Don McAfee, who was stationed there, and a British mother, Joan Williams.[21][22] His father was from Roanoke, Virginia. In spite of primarily being raised in Salem, Virginia, McAfee said he felt as much British as American.[23] When he was 15, his father, whom a BBC columnist described as "an abusive alcoholic", killed himself with a gun.[23] He had spent his childhood living in fear that a beating from his father could happen at any time and struggled to make sense of why this was happening to him.[20] In Running With the Devil: The Wild World of John McAfee, it is alleged that McAfee may have shot and killed his father, staging the scene to look like a suicide.[24]

McAfee received a bachelor's degree in mathematics in 1967 from Roanoke College in Virginia, which subsequently awarded him an honorary Doctor of Science degree in 2008.[25] After receiving his bachelor's degree, McAfee began working towards a doctorate in mathematics at Northeast Louisiana State College, but was expelled in about 1968 because of a relationship with an undergraduate student, who became his first wife.[26]

Ventures

[edit]

NASA, Univac, Xerox, CSC, Booz Allen and Lockheed

[edit]

McAfee was employed as a programmer by NASA from 1968 to 1970.[13][27] From there, he went to Univac as a software designer, and later to Xerox as an operating system architect. In 1978, he joined Computer Sciences Corporation as a software consultant. He worked for consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton from 1980 to 1982.[28] In 1986, while employed by Lockheed, he read about the Brain computer virus made for the PC, and he found it terrifying.[26] Sensing a business opportunity, he went about creating an antivirus software that could detect the computer virus and remove it automatically.[22] In 1987, McAfee created McAfee Associates Inc. to sell this software, which he named VirusScan.[25] This was the first anti-virus software brought to market, and one of the first software products to be distributed over the Internet.[22][25]

McAfee Associates

[edit]

Initially McAfee did not seek a large userbase of paying users, but rather wanted to raise awareness of the need to be protected from computer viruses. However, by making people fear such malware, he managed to generate millions of sales, and by 1990 he was making $5 million a year.[20] The company was incorporated in Delaware in 1992, and had its initial public offering the same year. In August 1993, McAfee stepped down as chief executive and remained with the company as the chief technical officer. He was succeeded by Bill Larson.[29] In 1994 he sold his remaining stake in the company.[30] He had no further involvement in its operations.[7]

After various mergers and ownership changes, Intel acquired McAfee in August 2010.[31] In January 2014, Intel announced that McAfee-related products would be marketed as Intel Security. McAfee expressed his pleasure at the name change, saying, "I am now everlastingly grateful to Intel for freeing me from this terrible association with the worst software on the planet."[32] The business was soon de-merged from Intel, once more under the McAfee name.

PowWow, QuoromEx, MGT and more

[edit]

McAfee founded the company Tribal Voice in 1994, which developed one of the first instant messaging programs,[33] PowWow.

In 2000, he invested in and joined the board of directors of Zone Labs, makers of firewall software, prior to its acquisition by Check Point Software in 2003.[34] In the 2000s McAfee invested in and advertised ultra-light flights, which he marketed as aerotrekking.[8]

In 2000 he bought a large property in Colorado and opened a yoga and meditation retreat there. In the following year he authored four books on yoga and meditation.[35]

In August 2009 The New York Times reported that McAfee's personal fortune had declined to $4 million from a peak of $100 million due to the effect of the financial crisis of 2007–2008 on his investments.[30]

McAfee relocated to Belize in 2009, buying a beachfront property on the island of Ambergris Caye and later also some property near the mainland village of Carmelita, where he surrounded himself with a large group of armed security guards.[36]

In 2009, McAfee was interviewed in Belize for the CNBC special The Bubble Decade, in which it was reported that he had invested in and/or built many mansions in the USA that went unsold when the 2007 global recession hit. The report also discussed his quest to raise plants for possible medicinal uses on his land in Belize.[37]

In February 2010, McAfee and biologist Allison Adonizio started the company QuorumEx,[38] headquartered in Belize, which aimed to produce herbal antibiotics that disrupt quorum sensing in bacteria.[39][40][41]

In June 2013, McAfee uploaded a parody video titled How to Uninstall McAfee Antivirus onto his YouTube channel. In it, he critiques the antivirus software while snorting white powder and being stripped by scantily clad women. It received ten million views. He told Reuters the video was meant to ridicule the media's negative coverage of him. A spokesman for McAfee Inc. called the video's statements "ludicrous".[42]

Also in 2013, McAfee founded Future Tense Central, which aimed to produce a secure computer network device called the D-Central.[43] By 2016, it was also an incubator.[44]

In February 2014, McAfee announced Cognizant, an application for smartphones which displays information about the permissions of other installed applications.[45] In April 2014, it was renamed DCentral 1, and an Android version was released for free on Google Play.[46][47]

McAfee at DEF CON 2014

At the DEF CON conference in Las Vegas in August 2014, McAfee warned people not to use smartphones, suggesting apps are used to spy on clueless consumers who do not read privacy user agreements.[48] In January 2016, he became the chief evangelist for security startup Everykey.[44]

In February 2016, McAfee publicly volunteered to decrypt the iPhone used by Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik in San Bernardino, avoiding the need for Apple to build a backdoor.[49] He later admitted that his claims regarding the ease of cracking the phone were a publicity stunt, while still asserting its possibility.[50]

In May 2016, McAfee was appointed chairman and CEO of MGT Capital Investments, a technology holding company. It initially said it would rename itself John McAfee Global Technologies,[51] although this plan was abandoned due to a dispute with Intel over rights to the "McAfee" name.[52] He changed MGT's focus from social gaming to cybersecurity, saying "anti-virus software is dead, it no longer works", and that "the new paradigm has to stop the hacker getting in" before they can do damage. The first product for this purpose was Sentinel.[53]

Soon after joining MGT, McAfee said he and his team had exploited a flaw in the Android operating system that allowed him to read encrypted messages from WhatsApp.[54] Gizmodo investigated his claim, and reported that he had sent reporters malware-infected phones to make this hack work. He replied: "Of course the phones had malware on them. How that malware got there is the story, which we will release after speaking with Google. It involves a serious flaw in the Android architecture."[55]

McAfee moved MGT into the mining of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, both to make money for the company, and to increase MGT's expertise in dealing with blockchains, which he thought was important for cybersecurity.[56]

In August 2017, McAfee stepped down as CEO, instead serving as MGT's "chief cybersecurity visionary." In January 2018, he left the company altogether. Both sides said the split was amicable; he said he wanted to spend all of his time on cryptocurrencies, while the company told of pressure from potential investors to disassociate itself from him.[57]

On 13 August 2018, McAfee took a position of CEO with Luxcore, a cryptocurrency company focused on enterprise solutions.

Politics

[edit]

Positions

[edit]

McAfee was a libertarian, advocating the decriminalization of cannabis, an end to the war on drugs, non-interventionism in foreign policy, a free market economy which does not redistribute wealth, and upholding free trade. He supported abolishing the Transportation Security Administration.[58]

McAfee advocated increased cyber awareness and more action against the threat of cyberwarfare.[59] He pushed religious liberty, saying that business owners should be able to deny service in circumstances that contradict their religious beliefs, adding: "No one is forcing you to buy anything or to choose one person over another. So why should I be forced to do anything if I am not harming you? It's my choice to sell, your choice to buy."[60]

McAfee contended that taxes were illegal, and claimed in 2019 that he had not filed a tax return since 2010. He referred to himself as "a prime target" of the Internal Revenue Service.[61]

In July 2017, McAfee predicted on Twitter that the price of a bitcoin would jump to $500,000 within three years, adding: "If not, I will eat my own dick on national television."[62] In July 2019, he predicted a price of $1 million by the end of 2020.[63] In January 2020, he tweeted that his predictions were "a ruse to onboard new users," and that bitcoin had limited potential because it is "an ancient technology."[64]

2016 presidential campaign

[edit]
McAfee's 2016 campaign logo

On 8 September 2015, McAfee announced a bid for president of the United States in the 2016 presidential election, as the candidate of a newly formed political party called the Cyber Party.[21][65] On 24 December 2015, he re-announced his candidacy bid saying that he would instead seek the presidential nomination of the Libertarian Party.[44][66] On the campaign trail, he consistently polled alongside the party's other top candidates, Gary Johnson and Austin Petersen.[67] The three partook in the Libertarian Party's first nationally televised presidential debate on 29 March 2016.[68] His running mate was photographer, commercial real estate broker and Libertarian activist Judd Weiss.[69]

McAfee came in second in the primaries[70] and third at the 2016 Libertarian National Convention.[71]

Notable endorsements

[edit]

2020 presidential campaign

[edit]
McAfee's 2020 campaign logo

Contrary to his assertion at the 2016 convention, McAfee tweeted on 3 June 2018 that he would run for president again in 2020, either with the Libertarian Party or a separate party that he would create.[75] He later chose to run as a Libertarian.[76] He mainly campaigned for wider cryptocurrency use.

On 22 January 2019, McAfee tweeted that he would continue his campaign "in exile," following reports that he, his wife, and four campaign staff were indicted for tax-related felonies by the IRS. He said he was in "international waters," and had previously tweeted that he was going to Venezuela.[77] The IRS has not commented on the alleged indictments.[78] He defended Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara on Twitter, putting himself at odds with Libertarian National Committee chairman Nicholas Sarwark, who wrote, "I hear very little buzz about McAfee this time around ... making a defense of Che Guevara from Cuba may ingratiate him with the Cuban government, but it didn't resonate well with Libertarians."[79]

In a tweet on 4 March 2020, McAfee simultaneously suspended his 2020 presidential campaign, endorsed Vermin Supreme, and announced his campaign for the Libertarian Party vice presidential nomination.[80] The next day, he returned to the presidential field, reversing the suspension of his bid, as "No one in the Libertarian Party Would consider me For Vice President."[81] The next month, he endorsed Adam Kokesh and became Kokesh's vice-presidential candidate, while still seeking the presidency for himself.[82] At the 2020 Libertarian National Convention, McAfee failed to qualify for the vice-presidential nomination.[83]

[edit]

McAfee was named a defendant in a 2008 civil court case related to his Aerotrekking light-sport aircraft venture and the death of nephew Joel Bitow and a passenger.[84]

On 30 April 2012, McAfee's property in Orange Walk Town, Belize, was raided by the Gang Suppression Unit of the Belize Police Department. A GSU press release said he was arrested for unlicensed drug manufacturing and possession of an unlicensed weapon.[41][85][86] He was released without charge.[87] In December 2012, McAfee told a Wired reporter that from 2010 to 2011 he had made several posts to the drug discussion forum Bluelight discussing his use and manufacturing of the stimulant drug MDPV under the alias 'Stuffmonger'.[88] As of March 2024, the Stuffmonger account had made 220 posts on the site in 2010 & early 2011.[89]

In 2012, Belize police spokesman Raphael Martinez confirmed that McAfee was neither convicted nor charged, only suspected.[90]

In January 2014, while in Canada, he said that when the Belizean government raided his property, it seized his assets, and that his house later burned down under suspicious circumstances.[91]

On 2 August 2015, McAfee was arrested in Henderson County, Tennessee, on one count of driving under the influence and one count of possession of a firearm while intoxicated.[92]

In July 2019, McAfee and members of his entourage were arrested while his yacht was docked at Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, on suspicion of carrying high-caliber weapons and ammunition. They were held for four days and released.[93] Weapons were seized, according to the Public Ministry.[94]

On 11 August 2020, McAfee falsely stated that he was arrested in Norway during the COVID-19 pandemic after refusing to replace a lace thong with a more effective face mask. He later tweeted a picture of himself with a bruised eye, claiming it occurred during this arrest.[95] A photo of the alleged arrest shows an officer with the German word for "police" on his uniform, ostensibly invalidating McAfee's claim of having been arrested in Norway. The Augsburg police later said he tried to enter Germany on that day, but was not arrested.[96]

Death of Gregory Faull

[edit]

On 12 November 2012, Belize police began to search for McAfee as a person of interest in connection to the homicide investigation of American immigrant Gregory Viant Faull, who was found dead of a gunshot wound the day before, at his home on the island of Ambergris Caye, the largest island in Belize.[97][98] Faull was a neighbor of McAfee's.[99] In a contemporary interview with Wired,[100] McAfee said he had been afraid police would kill him and refused their routine questions and evaded them.[99] He buried himself in sand for several hours with a cardboard box over his head.[20] Belize's prime minister, Dean Barrow, called him "extremely paranoid, even bonkers".[101] He fled Belize rather than cooperate.[102][103][104]

In December 2012, the magazine Vice accidentally gave away McAfee's location at a Guatemalan resort, when a photo taken by one of its journalists accompanying him was posted with the EXIF geolocation metadata still attached.[105]

While in Guatemala, McAfee asked Chad Essley, an American cartoonist and animator, to set up a blog so he could write about his experience while on the run.[106] He then appeared publicly in Guatemala City, where he unsuccessfully sought political asylum.[107]

On 5 December 2012, he was arrested for illegally entering Guatemala. Shortly afterward, the board reviewing his asylum plea denied it and he was taken to a detention center to await deportation to Belize.[108]

On 6 December 2012, Reuters and ABC News reported that McAfee had two minor heart attacks in the detention center and was hospitalized.[109][110] His lawyer said he had no heart attacks, rather high blood pressure and anxiety attacks.[111][112][113] McAfee later said he faked the heart attacks to buy time for his attorney to file a series of appeals that ultimately prevented his deportation to Belize, thus hastening that government's decision to send him back to the United States.[114]

On 12 December 2012, McAfee was released and deported to the United States.[115]

On 14 November 2018, the Circuit Court in Orlando, Florida, refused to dismiss a wrongful death lawsuit against him for Faull's death.[116][117] McAfee did not appear in court, lost the case by default and was ordered to pay $25 million to Faull's estate.[118]

U.S. tax evasion charges and planned extradition

[edit]

In January 2019, McAfee announced that he was on the run from U.S. authorities, and living internationally on a boat following the convening of a grand jury to indict him, his wife, and four of his 2020 Libertarian Party presidential primaries staff on tax evasion charges.[119] At the time, the Internal Revenue Service had not independently confirmed the existence of any such indictment.[119]

On 5 October 2020, McAfee was arrested in Spain at the request of the United States Department of Justice for tax evasion. The June indictment, which was unsealed upon his arrest, alleged he earned millions of dollars from 2014 to 2018, and failed to file income tax returns.[120]

On 6 October, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a complaint further alleging McAfee and his bodyguard promoted certain initial coin offerings (ICOs) in a fraudulent cryptocurrency pump and dump scheme.[121] It claims he presented himself as an impartial investor when he promoted the ICOs, despite allegedly getting paid $23 million in digital assets in return.[121]

On 5 March 2021, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York formally indicted him and an executive adviser on these charges.[122]

McAfee was jailed in Spain, pending extradition to the United States.[122][123]

On 23 June 2021, the Spanish National Court authorized his extradition to face charges in Tennessee;[124][7] McAfee is suspected to have committed suicide several hours after the authorization, though the official ruling has come under suspicion by the public as Mcafee made his disintention to commit suicide clear by his tweet from 2019. The tweet, posted in November 2019, said: "Getting subtle messages from U.S. officials saying, in effect: 'We're coming for you McAfee! We're going to kill yourself'. I got a tattoo today just in case. If I suicide myself, I didn't. I was whackd. Check my right arm." It included a photo of a tattoo that said "$WHACKD."[125] The New York extradition case was still pending in a lower Spanish court.[7]

Personal life

[edit]

McAfee married three times. He met his first wife, Fran, circa 1968 while he was working towards a doctorate at Northeast Louisiana State College and she was an 18-year-old undergraduate student.[126][26] Their affair led to his expulsion from the college.[26] He married his second wife, Judy, a former flight attendant at American Airlines, circa 1987; they divorced in 2002.[26]

The night after McAfee arrived in the United States after being deported from Guatemala in December 2012, he was solicited by and slept with Janice Dyson, then a prostitute 30 years his junior in South Beach, Miami Beach, Florida.[127] They began a relationship and married in 2013.[128] She claims that he saved her from human traffickers.[20] The couple moved to Portland, Oregon in 2013.[129]

In a 2012 article in Mensa Bulletin, the magazine of the American Mensa, McAfee said developing the first commercial antivirus program had made him "the most popular hacking target" and "[h]ackers see hacking me as a badge of honor." For his own cybersecurity, he said he had other people buy his computer equipment for him, used pseudonyms for setting up computers and logins, and changed his IP address several times a day.[130] When asked on another occasion if he personally used McAfee's antivirus software, he replied: "I take it off [...] it's too annoying."[131]

According to a 2016 article, McAfee had been using the then legal drug alpha-PHP which he imported from China and which may have caused his paranoia.[132] McAfee reportedly previously used the stimulant drug MDPV beginning in 2010, and was a member of the online drug discussion forum Bluelight.[88]

In 2015, he resided in Lexington, Tennessee.[92]

In December 2018, he tweeted that he had "47 genetic children."[3][133][134] His third wife described him in a Father's Day message as "father of many, loved by few."[20]

Death

[edit]

On 23 June 2021, McAfee was found dead in his prison cell, hours after the Spanish National Court ordered his extradition to the United States on criminal charges filed in Tennessee by the United States Department of Justice Tax Division.[7] The Catalan Justice Department said "everything indicates" he killed himself by hanging.[13][135][136] An official autopsy confirmed his suicide.[137][15] A Spanish court also ruled McAfee died by suicide.[1]

McAfee's death ignited speculation and conspiracy theories about the possibility that he was murdered. Such speculation was particularly fueled by a 2019 post McAfee made on Twitter that read, in part, "If I suicide myself, I didn't. I was whackd [sic]."[138] McAfee's death drew comparisons to the circumstances of the death of American financier Jeffrey Epstein, who was found dead in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.[139][140] Several times, McAfee claimed if he were ever found dead by hanging, it would mean he was murdered.[141] The day after his death, his lawyer told reporters that while he regularly maintained contact with McAfee in prison, there were no signs of suicidal intent.[142] McAfee's widow reaffirmed this position in her first public remarks since her husband's death, and also called for a "thorough" investigation.[143][144]

On 14 December 2023, the morgue delivered McAfee's body to his family to be taken to the United States for his funeral. Until then, it had been kept in a refrigerator at the Justice City of Barcelona.[145]

In the media

[edit]

Gringo: The Dangerous Life of John McAfee is a Showtime Networks documentary about the portion of McAfee's life spent in Belize. It began airing in September 2016.[146] It covers allegations of him drugging and sexually assaulting his business partner from QuorumEx, Allison Adonizio, and ordering the murders of Belizean David Middleton and American expat Gregory Faull.[147][148] In an interview with Bloomberg's Pimm Fox and Kathleen Hayes on 8 September 2016, McAfee said these incidents were fabricated, and "Belize is a third-world banana republic and you can go down there and make any story you want if you pay your interviewees, which Showtime did."[149][150]

Glenn Ficarra and John Requa stated in 2017 they would direct a film about McAfee titled King of the Jungle, written by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski. At various points, Johnny Depp, Michael Keaton, and Seth Rogen were reported to have taken roles and later to have left the project. Zac Efron was reported to star as journalist Ari Furman.[151][152][153][154]

McAfee and his wife were interviewed on ABC News's 20/20 regarding Faull's murder.[155]

The 2022 documentary film Running With the Devil: The Wild World of John McAfee includes footage from an unreleased documentary by Vice, and interviews by Rocco Castoro, Alex Cody Foster, and Robert King.[156]

Books

[edit]
  • Computer Viruses, Worms, Data Diddlers, Killer Programs, and Other Threats to Your System. What They Are, How They Work, and How to Defend Your PC, Mac, or Mainframe, (with Colin Haynes) St. Martin's Press, 1989[157]
  • The Secret of the Yamas: Spiritual Guide to Yoga, McAfee Pub, 2001[158]
  • The Fabric of Self: Meditations on Vanity and Love, Woodland Publications, 2001[159]
  • Into the Heart of Truth, Woodland Publications, 2001[160]
  • Beyond the Siddhis. Supernatural Powers and the Sutras of Patanjali, Woodland Publications, 2001[161]

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  1. ^ McAfee frequently claimed to have up to 47 children.[3][4]

Further reading

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