DVForge’s Mac OS X Virus Prize 2005 contest had a goal: “To lay to rest, once and for all, the myths surrounding the lack of spreading computer virii on the Macintosh OS X operating system, by sponsoring a contest that challenges virus writers to actually prove that they can introduce a harmless virus into two modern OS X Macs.”
That was the goal of a contest announced recently by DVForge, but, due to a variety of influencing factors was cancelled shortly after having been announced.
DVForge has issued a statement about the contest’s cancellation:
“In response to the statements put forth this past week by Symantec Corporation suggesting that Mac users are at substantial risk to infections from viruses, our company crafted and announced a contest that would have paid a $25,000 prize for the successful creation of such a virus,” said Jack Campbell, DVForge, Inc. CEO. “During the first several hours after making the public announcement, I was contacted by a large number of Mac users and Mac software professionals who shared their thinking with me about the contest. A few of these people are extremely well-regarded experts in the field of Mac OS X security. So, I have taken their advice very seriously, and have made the difficult decision to cancel our contest. I have been convinced that the risk of a virus on the OS X platform is not zero, although it is remarkably close to zero. More importantly, I have been convinced that there may be legality issues stemming from such a contest, beyond those determined by our own legal counsel, prior to announcing the contest. So, despite my personal distaste for what some companies have done to take advantage of virus fears among the Mac community, and my own inclination to make a bold statement in response to those fears, I have no responsible choice but to retract the contest, effective immediately.”
DVForge’s contest page also conatins the text: “Liability Statement: We do not endorse the creation or distribution of computer viruses. U.S. and international law, as well as simple good judgment forbid the transmission of computer viruses.”
Former contest page here.
Related MacDailyNews articles:
Mac OS X Virus Prize 2005 offers $25,000 cash prize to person who can create first Mac OS X virus – March 26, 2005
Wow that was quick
Can you say Publicity Stunt? Is this another example of Mac-baiting by people who want hits to their websites? Probably.
Either way, I am left with a bad taste in my mouth. I don’t enjoy being played and I don’t think anyone else does either. I won’t be buying a DVforge product now or in the near future.
What idiots… I would never buy a product from a company like that.
I think it’s unfortunate the contest was cancelled. I was looking forward to seeing Jack Campbell serving another stretch in clink.
Really – your right. It’s one of those publicity stunts that you hope gets the full attention of the legal system.
On a related note:
Because Spotlight is going to be tied to the core OS, isn’t it a new potential target?
Not a programmer, so must plead ignorance…
I’m thinking he may have gotten a few calls from Apple. Although Mac OS X is a secure OS, Apple might prefer NOT to have such publicity around this close to the launch of Tiger.
OS X’s security is built around control of ports, tight code and user permissions. Each of these has gaps.
Isn’t it about a week early for an April fool?
he probably shat himself after apple legal contacted him…
BAWWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHA
The whole thing was a scam. That guy had no intention of ever paying that money to anyone even if they beat his challenge.
What was he imprisoned for in the past Capt. Obvious?
Sometimes I think that MDN increases the legitimacy of questionable stories by treating them like actual news items.
Perhaps the headline should have read “Convicted Felon and Serial Con Artist Jack Cambpell’s DVForge offers $25,000 cash prize to person who can create first Mac OS X virus.”
Symantec Corporation is full of SH*T,
If you go carefully over their supposed exploits, a lot of it has nothing to do with Mac OS X, but with software used in the interent made by other comapnies.
So is now Apple supposed to fix the internet?
Symantec is getting off the Mac platform by Tiger, this their “going away FUD” for Steve Jobs making a rock solid OS.
With M$ even incorproating anti-virus and anti-spyware in Windows, these companies are very bitter.
FSKY YOU SYMANTEC CORPORATION FOR YOUR FUD.
Jack Campbell is the biggest horse’s *ss in the technology business. He is a con artist, pure and simple. Do a quick Google search on his name — it’s very enlightening.
Magic word: “through” — as in, “Jack, we all see right through your lies.”
Jack Campbell has been known to have less than desirable business morals. Recently he said he admired the Luxpro shuffle knock off stunt. Either he is an incredibly stupid egomaniac vicariously feeling superior through Apple or this is his own version of the Luxpro stunt.
Either way, I hope that his little stunt will end up in him shooting himself in the foot and losing sales but it probably won’t. What was that old saying? “There is no such thing as bad publicity”?
Here’s more of Jack’s scams.
Looks like they got MDN suckered in posting his trash
http://www.macintouch.com/mactable.html#follow1
MDN CHECK YOUR SOURCES!!!
Bah, I’ll have to destroy the Anthrax I was going to send them!
(what a bunch of dickheads.)
I don’t know much about Jack Campbell, so I will not criticize; and I wish no one to lose sales (Microsoft aside, that is).
For his defense, he’s got belief in the Mac platform and I think this contest would have given more credibility to the Mac and eventually stopped the annoying “security through obscurity” myth.
Was it a publicity stunt for DVForge ? We don’t really have facts to say so…
No no no no!
Not Him AGAIN!
As has been suggested, do a Google search using these words:
Jack Campbell Mac Table
It’s a fun read.
Also, (if you can find it) the verbal sparring between him and Shawn King on the Your Mac Life forum site makes for an enthralling read.
Frankly, I’m just amazed he’s back for more.
God, can’t Jack Campbell move onto phishing or real estate scams like the rest of the dirt bags.
What a pathetic publicity scam.
Me thinketh ya protestest too much:
“DVForge, Inc. supports honesty and integrity by manufacturers in all public communication. And, we strongly discourage the use of exaggeration, innuendo, or loosely stated claims in an effort to increase sales of a company’s products. We believe in accurate, fair marketing statements, and in allowing an accurately informed public to then make its own decisions about purchasing, or not purchasing, a company’s products or services. We implore all Mac industry businesses to support these same values.”
What a scumbag.
I made some research as suggested.
Well, you made me change my mind.
He is a Mac fan, no question about that, but a strange character with bad ethics.
The best part is in Spymac’s forums: http://www.spymac.com/forums/showthread.php?ppp=10&threadid=19022&sthreadid;=&c=1
Look for powerjack comments
Anyway. I wasted enough time today.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
“…. said Jack Campbell”
Say no more, that guy is one big economiser with the truth – remember his old MacWhispers rumour site? – he made it all up! Typical. Looks like he was after cheap publicity to me. Asshole.
Jack Campbell, DVForge, Inc. CEO: “Hello I am a total idiot. For my next act I going to offer a $25,000 reward for the first person who spray paint all the windows in their local church….or $35,000 to the first person that throw every computer in their school out the windows…
gee, I am such an idiot that I love to promote the making of criminal acts. My name is Jack Campbell and I am an unethical idiot pretending to be a “CEO” of company.
I urge you to send me a ranting letter and all lawsuits to:”
DVForge, Inc.
83 Industrial Park Drive
Hendersonville TN 37075
For those wanting to sue me or cause other legal or financial situations these adddresses (available on my website) are for your use:
Our Law Firm:
Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC
Commerce Center, Suite 1000
211 Commerce Street
Nashville TN 37201
Tel: +1 (615) 726-5600
http://www.bakerdonelson.com
Our CPA Firm:
Ronnie C. Fox, PC
607 Commons Drive
Gallatin TN 37066
Tel: +1 (615) 452-8256
Our Bank:
US Bank
169 East Main Street
Hendersonville TN 37075
Tel: +1 (615) 826-7800
Since I am an unethical S.O.B. I suggest you do the same to me.