Bit of a surprise in the tech sector Thursday morning, as Intel (INTC) announced that it will purchase Internet-security firm McAfee (MFE) for the tidy sum of $7.68 billion.

This move comes as a bit of a surprise, as some analysts and investors believe the acquisition shows the importance that computing firms are applying to security. Intel noted that more "elements of our lives have moved online," meaning that security will become a "third pillar of what people demand from all computing experiences." Intel said that the deal "elevates focus on security on par with energy-efficient performance and connectivity." Bottom line: Intel wants to protect customers who are taking advantage of our new online lifestyle.

Sy Harding, long-known as one of the newsletter advisory world's top market timers, has launched an new service -- Street Smart Long & Short Stock Advisory. Among his first buy recommendation is VeriSign (NASDAQ: VRSN).

Says Harding, "Chances are if you make online purchases of goods or services, VeriSign is involved, providing the website with the system and safeguards that protect the privacy and security of the transactions."

"VeriSign operates in several important areas of Internet commerce and communication. Since November, 2007 the company has sold 11 non-core businesses and its share of joint ventures, taking in some $575 million, to focus its attention on its core businesses.

With recent weakness in its stock Checkpoint Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHKP), the leader in internet security, has become a very attractive play in the security space. A space incidentally, that IBM has indicated it plans on making an acquisition. After about a year of slow growth the company has managed to integrate past acquisitions and is starting to fire on all cylinders. It saw revenue soar 29% to $184 million in Q3. Earnings jumped 21% to 41 cents a share. Analysts were looking for 38 cents.

With operating margins of 52.3% in Q3, Check Point has better margins than many of its competitors, like Symantec Corporation (NASDAQ: SYMC). By conducting its R&D in Israel it limits its costs as Israeli engineers, while world class in skill, don't get paid like they are world class.

With the recent market sell-off, the stock is now trading under $22 a share which gives it a PE of under 18. This makes for a very intriguing play for the coming year. Checkpoint continues to launch new products designed to ensure organizations receive the highest levels of integrated application security without impeding network traffic and degrading an end user's internet experience. The traction these new products get will ultimately determine if Checkpoint will continue its revival.

Aaron Katsman is the lead Portfolio Manager and Managing Director of America Israel Investment Associates, LLC. and Senior Editor of IsraelNewsletter.com. Disclosure: Writer holds stock in CHKP. He holds no position in any other stock mentioned as of 11/15/07.

Internet security company Symantec (NASDAQ: SYMC) today announced its purchase of Vontu for $350 million. Vontu's information security products and processes will aid Symantec in carving out a larger position in data security.

Symantec has traditionally focused on the gate-keeping aspect of security, while Vontu has been a leader in safeguarding the data inside the gate. This includes managing the wetware - establishing and maintaining policies to guide the worst security exposure, human beings, in their use of data. Vontu has also aggressively pushed to address rapidly evolving technologies such as iPods, Blackberries and thumb drives as possible avenues of data leakage.

The purchase seems well timed, in light of growing public concern (and legal suits) about data loss. It positions Symantec nicely as a turnkey solution for companies frantic to lock down their operations before they become the next public punching bag for their libertine handling of confidential info. Nothing drives business like a little fear.

The sale is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2007. Symantec expects the purchase to dilute 2008 earnings by $0.02 per share.

Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) has been a target for a number of internet privacy groups who feel that it keeps personal data on users for too long. Google argues that having the data helps deliver better search results. Plus, the company decided to cave into pressure and agreed to keep data on individuals no longer than 18 months.

Now, Google want to be out in front of the drive for Internet privacy. It is an unlikely about face, but it is one nonetheless. According to the Financial Times, Google is "calling for new international laws to be set up to protect personal information online." It wants a body like the UN to draw up the rules.

Google's position is clearly one that it would rather not be forced to take, but it is making the best out of a bad situation. Clearly, the more data a search engine has, the better the results. This allows for better text ad targeting and better profits. Now that Google has purchased DoubleClick the use of data collected from users is even more important to get good results for display ads.

But, Google has to protect its image and so instead of just going along, it will lead the parade.

The company may figure that if it take a central position in drafting new rules so that it can at least slant them a bit to its advantage. It is not being helpful for nothing.

Douglas A. McIntyre is a partner at 24/7 Wall St.

It seems that no matter where I travel on the Internet these days, I run into another new warning about some evil Internet-borne threat that wants to invade my computer, rifle my bank records or expose my personal life in order to wreak havoc and inject trouble while accomplishing a complete withdrawal of my life savings. Thanks to a worthwhile investment in McAfee (NYSE:MFE) products, I have been safe, at least until now. But it seems that the times are changing in the arena of Internet crime. Actually, it's probably safer for me and other PC users now. We're not the desired targets any more. Now it seems that the criminals are more interested in going after the big guys. It's that old rule about deep pockets -- the more you have, the more someone else wants to get it.

Luckily enough, I came across a systems security suite that appear to have it all covered. Kaseya, McAfee and Singlefin, a St. Bernard Company (OTCBB:SBSW), have come together under the umbrella of Secure My Company, a monthly subscription service providing systems protection from the inside out. Given the fact that an emerging tactical attack on business is being mounted from the user side of business equipment, it is very important that companies monitor the dissemination of internal data to exterior destinations. Secure My Company has chosen their three focus providers to create a synergistic defense against data intrusions and theft from outside a company and from within.

Internet security is one game where you must be at least one step ahead of the competition, especially when you consider that the competition wants to bleed your funds or to just plain ruin you. We're not talking about business competition. We're talking about those individuals and organizations that operate strictly in defiance of the rules. They are criminals who will stop at nothing to gain access into what you have worked so hard to build. If you are personally in charge of your system or network security then you'd better be up to date. If someone else handles those details for you, then make sure that they're on the ball. Today's computer criminals aren't the hackers and virus writers that we've all become used to. We're dealing against a smooth, savvy and intelligent bunch. They only way they will respect you is if you demand that they will and that means keeping them locked out, for good.