Intel Acquires PasswordBox To Counter ‘Password Fatigue’

Intel has acquired PasswordBox, a Montreal-based startup, and plans to add its popular password-management services to Intel Security Group.

PasswordBox, founded in 2012, allows users to place their passwords in a ‘virtual safety deposit box’, allowing them to log into services and websites with a single click. The tool, which competes with similar services such as Lastpass and Dashlane, has had more than 14 million downloads.

Secure access

The company has 48 employees in Montreal, all of whom will join Intel Security. The deal, terms of which weren’t disclosed, is effective immediately.

“We share Intel Security’s vision of simple, secure access and identity protection across all platforms and devices,” said Daniel Robichaud, chief executive and co-founder of PasswordBox, in a statement.

PasswordBox will become part of the Safe Identity group within Intel Security, which was itself created in January through the rebranding of McAfee, which Intel acquired for about $7.7 billion (£5bn) in 2011.

Other PasswordBox services allow users to share account passwords with family, friends or colleagues, create encrypted notes or keep track of credit cards, passports, memberships and other personal data in a digital wallet.

The start-up also offers biometric security using a person’s heartbeat in a partnership with Bionym. Current services will remain available in their current form until Intel Security launches a new product, PasswordBox said.

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