Filed under: Analysis / Opinion
The Mac virus that isn't
We at TUAW have a pretty healthy collective sense of humor. Bearing that in mind, we'd like to take a moment and address the recent attention to the "Newton Virus," a playful piece of software with an unfortunate moniker. The "virus" was created – and named – by Troika, a multi-disciplinary art and design practice in the UK. We have no bones to pick with Troika, we just take issue with calling the program by a name with malicious implications. It is, in fact, a piece of interactive artwork designed with a non-destructive disruption of reality in mind.
The first definition of a virus is a program that can replicate and infect a computer without permission or knowledge. The second, more flexible definition is a program falling into the category of malware. The Newton Virus is a mild – albeit visually interesting – disruption, and given that it was designed for manual installation and incapable of replication, not really a virus at all. Ergo, the ensuing headlines seen around the 'net are based on a sensationalistic misnomer.
That being said, the piece is a fascinating little experiment (leveraging the Sudden Motion Sensor in Mac portables) that fits nicely with Troikart's typical fare, and it's earned a spot in the Design and the Elastic Mind exhibition at the MoMA. So, next time someone tells you they heard about a virus for Macs, tell them not to sweat it: it's probably just modern art.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
serenity said 9:15AM on 3-10-2008
Another REALLY cool program that uses the SMS is SeisMac (google it). It turns your (laptop) Mac into a high-frequency seismograph. Gently knock on the table and it'll show up for sure.
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Thorsten said 9:47AM on 3-10-2008
Has anyone an idea where to buy one of these? Are they for sale at all? Found nothing nowhere.
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PINE said 9:55AM on 3-10-2008
Nice titanium powerbook
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Tony said 4:35PM on 3-10-2008
Autoplay hasn't existed on macs since OS9.
Unless they're using some kind new USB exploit (which seems unlikely) this is not auto installing in any way - that's just part of the 'story' that goes with the artwork.
Weakly said 10:23AM on 3-10-2008
I'm still dubious that this is a true virus at all -- since when can you auto-install apps from a USB drive on a Mac without admin privileges anyway?
That you can't find the software or a description of it anywhere makes this virus vaporware.
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mark said 11:06AM on 3-10-2008
um.... the whole point of this article is that this "virus" is not a virus. "We have no bones to pick with Troika, we just take issue with calling the program by a name with malicious implications. It is, in fact, a piece of interactive artwork designed with a non-destructive disruption of reality in mind"
EBone said 1:27PM on 3-10-2008
If you write the code on the USB drive so as the Mac sees the USB drive as a CD-ROM, and if the "Autoplay CD-ROM" feature is turned on in Quicktime preferences, you could get this effect.
About ten years ago there was some malicious Mac code that took advantage of the autoplay CD-ROM feature.
james said 11:21AM on 3-10-2008
thanks for the definition of a virus, tuaw. :P
but i wonder why you would bother picking bones with troika on this. they're *obviously* being cheeky and playful. it's cute. yes, it's not a real virus. thank you for pointing that out. can we get back to being harmlessly amused and nostalgic now?
troika's site shows some really nice work by the way. charming all around!
tuaw, your useless flummoxed density makes me imagine your reaction to that famous drawing "this is not a pipe". i sort of imagine you standing there saying to yourselves "well, dammit. it is a pipe. it totally is. i don't know why he would say it isn't"
for reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ren%C3%A9_Magritte
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punkassjim said 12:30PM on 3-10-2008
Jesus, and I thought Brett's delivery was dry. You've succeeded in eclipsing him. Good job. He knew it was a joke, he thought it was funny, and he was pointing out that some folks have seen the word "virus" and took it way too seriously. "Useless flummoxed density?" Srsly.
james said 12:55PM on 3-10-2008
on the one hand, you're totally right that maybe i got a little riled.
but on the other, you can't convince me that brent's article wasn't at least a mild reprimand of triokart's use of the word virus, its "malicious implications", and the effect that might have on mac's image (or something?). he essentially says "we have a sense of humor, but... tsk tsk on you, naughties, for calling it a virus." and that scolding betrays a certain density, yes, absolutely. maybe not as flummoxed as i had originally thought ;), but i stand by useless.
thanks for the reply.
Michael Rose said 1:41AM on 3-11-2008
James, the reason Brett posted is that several other technology blogs (including our sister site Engadget) have picked up the "Newton Virus" story without realizing, or at least without mentioning, that it's not a virus at all. Google for "Newton Virus" and you're bound to see them.
The point is that while the art project is cool and cute, that's exactly what it is: an art project. The sites that have swallowed the 'virus' part of the story are hoaxing themselves.
james said 8:31AM on 3-12-2008
yeah, i get that. but that's a shame on those news agencies, not on the creators of the project - not at all.
George said 11:33AM on 3-10-2008
I'd just like to get this as a screensaver or a standalone app.
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Peter Zich said 1:55PM on 3-10-2008
Same here
Ron said 11:34AM on 3-10-2008
Calling this a virus is a big stretch.
It's more of a practical joke, but I guess if they called it a practical joke, then it wouldn't get headlines like this...
Creative nonetheless... I would like to get a copy to fool my friends.
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Zaphod Beeblebrox said 11:53AM on 3-10-2008
Come on, people. The use of "virus" in Newton Virus is simply to give it a certain paradigm, then break that paradigm by being somewhat silly and fun, instead of malicious.
We _all_ know that this does not qualify as an actual virus.
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Michael Rose said 1:37AM on 3-11-2008
"We _all_ know that this does not qualify as an actual virus."
Let's qualify that "all" a little bit --
http://gizmodo.com/363490/plug+n+play-usb-virus-makes-macbooks-fall-to-pieces
http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/07/the-newton-virus-spreads-joy/
http://www.mahalo.com/Newton_Virus
Zaphod Beeblebrox said 3:13PM on 3-11-2008
touché
sockatume said 12:11PM on 3-10-2008
I imagine that they called it a "virus" in reference to that wonderful virus from a couple of decades ago which made the letters fall down onto the bottom of your computer screen in a pile.
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Evan said 12:18PM on 3-10-2008
what about the reports that it changes your language settings to Portuguese, and keeps it there until you reinstall?
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