FTC greenlights Intel's buyout of McAfee
updated 04:40 pm EST, Tue December 21, 2010
FTC approves Intel purchase of McAfee
The near $8 billion buy of McAfee by Intel this past summer was finally approved by the Federal Trade Commission this week. The approval paves the way for the $7.68 billion deal to be completed sometime next year. The European Commission is continuing to examine the purchase, however, and Intel is continuing to cooperate with the governing body on the review.
The European Commission is concerned that the deal will give McAfee a significant advantage over its antivirus competitors, as it would have privileged access to the features of Intel's widely used computer chips. At the very least, this would mean the review will be extended.
In October, Intel believed the deal would be completed by year's end, but recently revised its schedule to early 2011.
Intel's interest in software security specialist McAfee stems from its wish to develop secure chips and related computer hardware. Some of its processors already have security measures but don't have full-fledged anti-malware support that could screen out viruses even past the OS. [via Wall Street Journal]
