<PAGE>   1

        As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 19, 2001
                                                      Registration No. 333-_____

================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM S-8
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                            NETWORKS ASSOCIATES, INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

                  DELAWARE                            77-0316593
      (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF              (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
       INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)           IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)

                               3965 FREEDOM CIRCLE
                          SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA 95054
                                 (408) 988-3832

               (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
        INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)

                            ------------------------

                 2000 NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN, AS AMENDED
                            (FULL TITLE OF THE PLANS)

                                 GEORGE SAMENUK
                      PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                            NETWORKS ASSOCIATES, INC.
                               3965 FREEDOM CIRCLE
                          SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA 95054
                                 (408) 988-3832

            (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
                   INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)

                            ------------------------

                                    Copy to:
                             JEFFREY D. SAPER, ESQ.
                              KURT J. BERNEY, ESQ.
                        WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                            PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
                               650 PAGE MILL ROAD
                           PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94304
                                 (650) 493-9300

                            ------------------------

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           TITLE SECURITIES TO                    AMOUNT          PROPOSED MAXIMUM       PROPOSED MAXIMUM         AMOUNT OF
              BE REGISTERED                       TO BE            OFFERING PRICE       AGGREGATE OFFERING     REGISTRATION FEE
                                                REGISTERED           PER SHARE                PRICE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>               <C>                   <C>                    <C>
 Common Stock to be issued under the              5,500,000           $7.0313(1)          $38,672,150(1)         $9,669.00(1)
    Network Associates, Inc. 2000
    Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan, as
    amended
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        TOTAL:                    5,500,000                               $38,672,150(1)         $9,669.00
=================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

(1)  Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as
     amended (the "Securities Act"). With respect to 5,500,000 shares of Common
     Stock available for future grant under the Plan, the estimated Proposed
     Maximum Offering Price Per Share was estimated pursuant to Rule 457(c)
     under the Securities Act whereby the per share price is the average between
     the high and low price reported on the Nasdaq National Market on January
     11, 2001, which average was $7.0313.

<PAGE>   2


                       REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8

                                     PART II

                 INFORMATION REQUIRED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT

ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.

        The Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") allows us to
"incorporate by reference" the information we file with them, which means that
we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those
documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of
this prospectus, and later information filed with the Commission will update and
supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed
below and any future filings made with the Commission under Section 13a, 13(c),
14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until our offering is
completed:

        (1) Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999,
filed with the commission on March 30, 2000; and

        (2) Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September
30, 2000, filed with the Commission on November 14, 2000.

        You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or
telephoning us at the following address:

         Terry Davis
         Chief Financial Officer
         Network Associates, Inc.
         3965 Freedom Circle
         Santa Clara, CA 95054
         (408) 988-3832

         You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or
provided in this prospectus or the prospectus supplement. We have authorized no
one to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of
these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not
assume that the information in this prospectus or the prospectus supplement is
accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of the document.

ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.

         Not applicable.

ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.

         Not applicable.

ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

        The Registrant's Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation limits the
liability of directors to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware law. Delaware
law provides that directors of a corporation will not


                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3

be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties
as directors, except for liability (i) for any breach of their duty of loyalty
to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good
faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law,
(iii) for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or
redemptions as provided in Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law,
or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal
benefit.

         The Registrant's Restated Bylaws provide that the Registrant shall
indemnify its directors and officers and may indemnify its employees and other
agents to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Registrant believes that
indemnification under its Restated Bylaws covers at least negligence and gross
negligence on the part of indemnified parties. The Registrant's Restated Bylaws
also permit the Registrant to secure insurance on behalf of any officer,
director, employee or other agent for any liability arising out of his or her
actions in such capacity, regardless of whether the Registrant would have the
power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the General
Corporation Law of Delaware. The Registrant currently has secured such insurance
on behalf of its officers and directors.

         The Registrant has entered into agreements to indemnify its directors
and officers, in addition to indemnification provided for in the Registrant's
Bylaws. Subject to certain conditions, these agreements, among other things,
indemnify the Registrant's directors and officers for certain expenses
(including attorney's fees), judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by
any such person in any action or proceeding, including any action by or in the
right of the Registrant, arising out of such person's services as a director or
officer of the Registrant, any subsidiary of the Registrant or any other company
or enterprise to which the person provides services at the request of the
Registrant.

         Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law authorizes a court
to award, or a corporation's Board of Directors to grant indemnity to directors
and officers in terms sufficiently broad to permit such indemnification under
certain circumstances for liabilities (including reimbursement for expenses
incurred) arising under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1933, as amended. The
Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and Bylaws provide for
indemnification of its officers, directors, employees and other agents to the
maximum extent permitted by the Delaware Law.

ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.

         Not applicable.

ITEM 8. EXHIBITS.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       EXHIBIT
       NUMBER                               DESCRIPTION
       --------                             -----------
<S>                 <C>
        4.1         Network Associates, Inc. 2000 Nonstatutory Stock Option
                    Plan, as amended.

        5.1         Opinion of Counsel as to legality of securities being
                    registered.

        23.1        Consent of Independent Accountants.

        23.2        Consent of Counsel (contained in Exhibit 5.1).

        24.1        Power of Attorney (see page 5).
</TABLE>

ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS.

         The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

        (4)    To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
               made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:


                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4


        (4)    to include any material information with respect to the plan of
               distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration
               Statement or any material change to such information in the
               Registration Statement.

        (4)    to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
               the effective date of the registration statement (or the most
               recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or
               in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
               information set forth in the registration statement;

        (4)    That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
               Securities Act of 1933, the post-effective amendment shall be
               deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
               securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
               at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
               thereof.

        (4)    To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
               amendment any of the securities being registered which remain
               unsold at the termination of the offering.

        (4)    The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes
               of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as
               amended, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant
               to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where
               applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual
               report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
               incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be
               deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
               securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
               at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
               thereof.

(4)     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
        Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
        the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
        Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
        Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as
        expressed in the Exchange Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the
        event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other
        than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a
        director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
        successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by
        such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the
        securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion
        of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
        submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
        indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
        Exchange Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
        issue.



                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5

                                   SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Santa Clara, State of California, on this 16
day of January, 2001.

                                        NETWORKS ASSOCIATES, INC.


                                        By:   /s/ TERRY DAVIS
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Terry Davis
                                              Chief Financial Officer


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below hereby constitutes and appoints George Samenuk and Terry Davis,
and each of them acting individually, as his or her attorney-in-fact, each with
full power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign
any and all amendments to this Registration Statement on Form S-8, and to file
the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or any substitute, may do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          SIGNATURE                                  TITLE                                DATE
--------------------------------     -------------------------------------           ----------------
<S>                                  <C>                                             <C>
/s/  GEORGE SAMENUK                  President and Chief Executive Officer           January 16, 2001
--------------------------------
     George Samenuk


/s/  TERRY DAVIS                     Chief Financial Officer                         January 16, 2001
--------------------------------
     Terry Davis


/s/  EDWIN HARPER                    Chairman of the Board                           January 16, 2001
--------------------------------
     Edwin Harper


/s/  VIRGINIA GEMMELL                Director                                        January 16, 2001
--------------------------------
     Virginia Gemmell


/s/  LESLIE DENEND                   Director                                        January 16, 2001
--------------------------------
     Leslie Denend


/s/  ENZO TORRESI                    Director                                        January 16, 2001
--------------------------------
     Enzo Torresi
</TABLE>

                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6


                                 EXHIBIT INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       EXHIBIT
       NUMBER                               DESCRIPTION
       --------                             -----------
<S>                 <C>
        4.1         Network Associates, Inc. 2000 Nonstatutory Stock Option
                    Plan, as amended.

        5.1         Opinion of Counsel as to legality of securities being
                    registered.

        23.1        Consent of Independent Accountants.

        23.2        Consent of Counsel (contained in Exhibit 5.1).

        24.1        Power of Attorney (see page 5).
</TABLE>


                                      -6-
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "f68333ors-8.txt", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 17307}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "NETWORKS ASSOCIATES INC/", "cik": "0000890801", "assigned-sic": "7372", "irs-number": "770316593", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-54024", "film-number": "1511989"}, "business-address": {"street1": "3963 FREEDOM CIRCLE", "city": "SANTA CLARA", "state": "CA", "zip": "95054", "phone": "4083463832"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "3963 FREEDOM CIRCLE", "city": "SANTA CLARA", "state": "CA", "zip": "95054"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "MCAFEE ASSOCIATES INC", "date-changed": "19930328"}}
1

        As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 19, 2001
                                                      Registration No. 333-_____

================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM S-8
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                            NETWORKS ASSOCIATES, INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

                  DELAWARE                            77-0316593
      (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF              (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
       INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)           IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)

                               3965 FREEDOM CIRCLE
                          SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA 95054
                                 (408) 988-3832

               (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
        INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)

                            ------------------------

                 2000 NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN, AS AMENDED
                            (FULL TITLE OF THE PLANS)

                                 GEORGE SAMENUK
                      PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                            NETWORKS ASSOCIATES, INC.
                               3965 FREEDOM CIRCLE
                          SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA 95054
                                 (408) 988-3832

            (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
                   INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)

                            ------------------------

                                    Copy to:
                             JEFFREY D. SAPER, ESQ.
                              KURT J. BERNEY, ESQ.
                        WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                            PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
                               650 PAGE MILL ROAD
                           PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94304
                                 (650) 493-9300

                            ------------------------

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           TITLE SECURITIES TO                    AMOUNT          PROPOSED MAXIMUM       PROPOSED MAXIMUM         AMOUNT OF
              BE REGISTERED                       TO BE            OFFERING PRICE       AGGREGATE OFFERING     REGISTRATION FEE
                                                REGISTERED           PER SHARE                PRICE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock to be issued under the              5,500,000           $7.0313(1)          $38,672,150(1)         $9,669.00(1)
    Network Associates, Inc. 2000
    Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan, as
    amended
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        TOTAL:                    5,500,000                               $38,672,150(1)         $9,669.00
=================================================================================================================================
(1)  Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as
     amended (the "Securities Act"). With respect to 5,500,000 shares of Common
     Stock available for future grant under the Plan, the estimated Proposed
     Maximum Offering Price Per Share was estimated pursuant to Rule 457(c)
     under the Securities Act whereby the per share price is the average between
     the high and low price reported on the Nasdaq National Market on January
     11, 2001, which average was $7.0313.
2

                       REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8

                                     PART II

                 INFORMATION REQUIRED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT

ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.

        The Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") allows us to
"incorporate by reference" the information we file with them, which means that
we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those
documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of
this prospectus, and later information filed with the Commission will update and
supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed
below and any future filings made with the Commission under Section 13a, 13(c),
14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until our offering is
completed:

        (1) Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999,
filed with the commission on March 30, 2000; and

        (2) Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September
30, 2000, filed with the Commission on November 14, 2000.

        You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or
telephoning us at the following address:

         Terry Davis
         Chief Financial Officer
         Network Associates, Inc.
         3965 Freedom Circle
         Santa Clara, CA 95054
         (408) 988-3832

         You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or
provided in this prospectus or the prospectus supplement. We have authorized no
one to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of
these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not
assume that the information in this prospectus or the prospectus supplement is
accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of the document.

ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.

         Not applicable.

ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.

         Not applicable.

ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

        The Registrant's Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation limits the
liability of directors to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware law. Delaware
law provides that directors of a corporation will not

                                      -2-
3

be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties
as directors, except for liability (i) for any breach of their duty of loyalty
to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good
faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law,
(iii) for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or
redemptions as provided in Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law,
or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal
benefit.

         The Registrant's Restated Bylaws provide that the Registrant shall
indemnify its directors and officers and may indemnify its employees and other
agents to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Registrant believes that
indemnification under its Restated Bylaws covers at least negligence and gross
negligence on the part of indemnified parties. The Registrant's Restated Bylaws
also permit the Registrant to secure insurance on behalf of any officer,
director, employee or other agent for any liability arising out of his or her
actions in such capacity, regardless of whether the Registrant would have the
power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the General
Corporation Law of Delaware. The Registrant currently has secured such insurance
on behalf of its officers and directors.

         The Registrant has entered into agreements to indemnify its directors
and officers, in addition to indemnification provided for in the Registrant's
Bylaws. Subject to certain conditions, these agreements, among other things,
indemnify the Registrant's directors and officers for certain expenses
(including attorney's fees), judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by
any such person in any action or proceeding, including any action by or in the
right of the Registrant, arising out of such person's services as a director or
officer of the Registrant, any subsidiary of the Registrant or any other company
or enterprise to which the person provides services at the request of the
Registrant.

         Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law authorizes a court
to award, or a corporation's Board of Directors to grant indemnity to directors
and officers in terms sufficiently broad to permit such indemnification under
certain circumstances for liabilities (including reimbursement for expenses
incurred) arising under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1933, as amended. The
Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and Bylaws provide for
indemnification of its officers, directors, employees and other agents to the
maximum extent permitted by the Delaware Law.

ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.

         Not applicable.

ITEM 8. EXHIBITS.
EXHIBIT
       NUMBER                               DESCRIPTION
       --------                             -----------
4.1         Network Associates, Inc. 2000 Nonstatutory Stock Option
                    Plan, as amended.

        5.1         Opinion of Counsel as to legality of securities being
                    registered.

        23.1        Consent of Independent Accountants.

        23.2        Consent of Counsel (contained in Exhibit 5.1).

        24.1        Power of Attorney (see page 5).
ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS.

         The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

        (4)    To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
               made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

                                      -3-
4

        (4)    to include any material information with respect to the plan of
               distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration
               Statement or any material change to such information in the
               Registration Statement.

        (4)    to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
               the effective date of the registration statement (or the most
               recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or
               in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
               information set forth in the registration statement;

        (4)    That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
               Securities Act of 1933, the post-effective amendment shall be
               deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
               securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
               at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
               thereof.

        (4)    To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
               amendment any of the securities being registered which remain
               unsold at the termination of the offering.

        (4)    The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes
               of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as
               amended, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant
               to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where
               applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual
               report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
               incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be
               deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
               securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
               at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
               thereof.

(4)     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
        Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
        the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
        Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
        Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as
        expressed in the Exchange Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the
        event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other
        than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a
        director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
        successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by
        such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the
        securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion
        of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
        submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
        indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
        Exchange Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
        issue.

                                      -4-
5

                                   SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Santa Clara, State of California, on this 16
day of January, 2001.

                                        NETWORKS ASSOCIATES, INC.

                                        By:   /s/ TERRY DAVIS
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Terry Davis
                                              Chief Financial Officer

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below hereby constitutes and appoints George Samenuk and Terry Davis,
and each of them acting individually, as his or her attorney-in-fact, each with
full power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign
any and all amendments to this Registration Statement on Form S-8, and to file
the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or any substitute, may do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated:
SIGNATURE                                  TITLE                                DATE
--------------------------------     -------------------------------------           ----------------
/s/  GEORGE SAMENUK                  President and Chief Executive Officer           January 16, 2001
--------------------------------
     George Samenuk

/s/  TERRY DAVIS                     Chief Financial Officer                         January 16, 2001
--------------------------------
     Terry Davis

/s/  EDWIN HARPER                    Chairman of the Board                           January 16, 2001
--------------------------------
     Edwin Harper

/s/  VIRGINIA GEMMELL                Director                                        January 16, 2001
--------------------------------
     Virginia Gemmell

/s/  LESLIE DENEND                   Director                                        January 16, 2001
--------------------------------
     Leslie Denend

/s/  ENZO TORRESI                    Director                                        January 16, 2001
--------------------------------
     Enzo Torresi
-5-
6

                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT
       NUMBER                               DESCRIPTION
       --------                             -----------
4.1         Network Associates, Inc. 2000 Nonstatutory Stock Option
                    Plan, as amended.

        5.1         Opinion of Counsel as to legality of securities being
                    registered.

        23.1        Consent of Independent Accountants.

        23.2        Consent of Counsel (contained in Exhibit 5.1).

        24.1        Power of Attorney (see page 5).
-6-