Few names in technology evoke as much reaction as John McAfee. To many, he was defined by controversy. To those who took the time to listen, he was something far more complex.
In the months before his passing, Dustin Plantholt had the opportunity to speak with McAfee privately—moving past headlines to explore the person behind the mythology. What emerged was not a polished figure, but an unfiltered mind driven by curiosity, generosity with advice, and a belief in sharing hard-earned knowledge with those willing to ask.
The reflection below is not an attempt to rewrite history, but to remember a human connection—one shaped by conversation, candor, and the reminder that legacy is often measured less by reputation than by how someone makes others feel.
From Dustin:
“Does the name John McAfee ring a bell? If it doesn’t, it should. John was the visionary behind @McAfee the name synonymous with virus scan software that once shielded most of the world’s computers. But to know John through headlines alone would be to miss the man entirely. Controversial, unabashedly himself, John was no stranger to stirring the pot—and he wore it all like a badge of honor.
In the months leading up to his passing, I had the privilege of speaking with him over Zoom, seeing the man behind the enigma. As a new journalist, I reached out to his wife, Janice, hoping to set up an interview. She brought it to John, and, in a moment I won’t soon forget, he graciously agreed. Preparing to speak with an icon, you quickly realize that asking the usual questions is a wasted opportunity. I didn’t want to know about his wealth or controversies—I wanted to know what ignited him. What made him tick.
John wasn’t driven by wealth alone. He was no Mother Teresa, true, but he was also no Scrooge McDuck. His heart was as big and daring as a Ferrari on the open road, giving freely to those who sought his counsel. Long after our interview wrapped, he continued to offer me advice, sharing hard-won wisdom with an honesty few ever dared to show.
He was a true asset to entrepreneurs everywhere, a man who believed in the power of sharing knowledge. I miss him dearly. And today, I’m reminded of the greatest lesson he taught me—that people will remember you long after you’re gone, for how you made them feel. And kindness is, indeed, the greatest legacy.
Rest in peace, John. Thank you for showing me what it means to truly connect.”
