McAfee Wins Anti-Virus Defense Contract

McAfee Associates Inc. said it has won a contract worth more than $2 million to protect Defense Department computers from viruses, the largest contract the software maker has ever won. The Santa Clara-based company beat at least 16 other vendors for the deal to protect the world’s largest institutional computer network, spokesman Mark Woodward said. The maker of software that protects computer networks from contaminated files will also set up links with the department’s Web pages to promote its products. It expects more business from government agencies as a result. McAfee shares rose $3.38 to close at $77.75 on Nasdaq.