John McAfee, Creator of McAfee Antivirus Software, Dead at 75

John McAfee, the security software pioneer whose legal troubles and eccentric and controversial lifestyle ultimately forced his former security firm that still carries his name to distance itself from him years ago, died yesterday in a Spanish prison.

McAfee, founder of McAfee Associates, a security firm he launched in 1987 that sold antivirus software and later evolved into the major security vendor McAfee, left the company in 1994 and went on to invest in various security and technology ventures. 

McAfee, 75, had been jailed in Barcelona on charges of failing to report some $4 million in income from cryptocurrency consulting, speaking engagements, and for the sale of rights to a documentary of his life story during fiscal years 2016 to 2018. He was facing a maximum 30-year prison sentence, and a Spanish judge on Monday had ruled he could be extradited to the US to face the charges. 

McAfee, who was born in England and grew up in Roanoke, Virginia, was found dead in his jail cell on Wednesday, reportedly due to suicide. 

Read more here and here.