:: Deepquest ::

Contest 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.0
Are you a clever software geek, bored, looking for a challenge for your immense skills? Would you like world-reaching fame, and, a $25,000 cash prize? Well, here’s your chance for fame and fortune. All you have to do is put a virus into circulation that makes its way onto two totally unprotected Mac OS X computers we have running in Hendersonville, Tennessee.

No trick, no hidden barriers… just two open internet connections to two non-firewalled, unmodified, bone-stock OS X 10.3 Panther systems, each tied directly to the ‘net by a T-1 line. According to the PC press, picking up this 25-grand should be child’s play.

The Rules Of Engagement

We have designated two G5 Powermac computer systems, each running an unmodified retail installation of OS X 10.3 Panther, each located in the Hendersonville, Tennessee area, but located approximately 3-miles away from each other in entirely different facilities. The only network connection between the two systems is the internet. Both Powermacs are in minimum 8 to 12 hour per day, five day per week usage, and run any number of popular Mac software applications. Each uses OS X mail.app as the email client, and Safari as the web browser, with neither machine or its LAN having a firewall in use. Each is connected to the internet through an unencrypted Airport network, to a full T-1 line. These two systems are as naked as possible… ripe, ready, willing, wanting your attack.

Each day, we will scan both Powermacs for the presence of an OS X native executable virus, using a commercially available virus scanning utility. The day we locate a copy of the same virus running on both Powermacs, that virus is the winner of our contest.

Your virus may be put into general circulation on the internet. Or, it may be sent by email to [email]virus@dvforge.com[/email] Both machines will pull email from this POP account at least once per day, and, those emails will all be opened each day. Email attachments will not be opened. To win the contest, the person coding the virus must submit an email notice to us with a transcript of at least 32 contiguous characters of code included in the virus, a brief description of the functionality and symptoms of the virus, and contact information for contest notification and payment of the $25,000 prize. Please put the words “Virus Contest Notice” in the subject line. The prize will be awarded to the person whose 32-character code sample, and functionality and symptoms description match the actual virus detected on the two contest Powermacs.

Why We Are Doing Such Crazy Thing

There has been much misinformation publicized recently about a supposed risk to the OS X operating system from virus attacks, with the ‘risk’ supposedly increasing as Mac computer sales are increasing. As a Mac dedicated business, and as a group of long-term Mac users, we know that these warnings are not true, and that there are a number of fundamental safeguards against virus attacks that keep the OS X operating system without its first in-the-wild virus. The ‘small number’ of Macs has nothing to do with the lack of virus incidents. It is the architecture of Apple’s operating system that protects its users from these bugs. And, we are simply irritated by the near absense of major news outlets who reliably report that fact.

We are operating this contest until midnight July 31, 2005. Should the conditions for winning be met prior to that time, we will immediately award the $25,000 payment to the virus developer who succeeded in cracking the Mac’s inherent immunities.

Symantec People Can Win Double!

DVForge, Inc. specifically invites the programming staff at Symantec Corporation to participate in our contest by creating and successfully delivering an executable virus to the two contest Powermacs. Should an employee or independent contractor of Symantec corporation win the contest, we will double the prize to $50,000 to that person.

On Your Marks, Get Set… Start Coding!

All right, all of you clever geniuses… get started now coding that fame and fortune generating new OS X virus! When you’ve turned it loose on the ‘net, or emailed it to us, send us the requried email notice, and just sit back and wait for your nasty little creature to make its way onto our two contest Powermacs. The moment it does, we’ll contact you to make arrangements for you to get your money. Since only the low visibility of the tiny little Mac user base has kept us safe from intimidating software geniuses like you, we expect to be completely overrun with virus infections within mere days of announcing the contest. So, get started early! Go for it! Here’s your chance to be a star!

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