Non-fiction

The Giant Black Book of Computer Viruses

Mark Ludwig

1997

Seeded Top-list proxy: 1,000 estimated copies sold

The Giant Black Book of Computer Viruses is a non-fiction by Mark Ludwig. Banned for its instructional purpose and "mischievous design": "It is clear from the way that the book is organised that the information is intended to be put to use the warning on the back cover of the book is a clear invitation for irresponsible computer users to use the information."

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Description

About the work

Seeded

The Giant Black Book of Computer Viruses is a non-fiction by Mark Ludwig. Banned for its instructional purpose and "mischievous design": "It is clear from the way that the book is organised that the information is intended to be put to use the warning on the back cover of the book is a clear invitation for irresponsible computer users to use the information."

The surviving record is interesting because it shows how even ordinary-looking books can acquire a charged political afterlife. As a non-fiction, it can be read not only for subject matter but for the way form, tone, and circulation make a text feel dangerous, intimate, or politically usable to anxious officials.

It also matters as part of a wider censorship history in New Zealand. The present page is a dossier starter built from source-tracked ban records; the surviving note currently says: Banned for its instructional purpose and "mischievous design": "It is clear from the way that the book is organised that the information is intended to be put to use the warning on the back cover of the book is a clear. More publication history, translations, and close reading can be added later.

Overview

Why it was banned

Seeded

The Giant Black Book of Computer Viruses entered censorship debates as a non-fiction associated with controversy, publication history, and state scrutiny. In the current dossier, the main state objections cluster around political sensitivity.

The earliest event currently captured here is 1998 in New Zealand, where Office of Film and Literature Classification classified, prohibited, or restricted. Banned for its instructional purpose and "mischievous design": "It is clear from the way that the book is organised that the information is intended to be put to use the warning on the back cover of the book is a clear. Banned for its instructional purpose and "mischievous design": "It is clear from the way that the book is organised that the information is intended to be put to use the warning on the back cover of the book is a clear invitation for irresponsible computer.

This entry is still incomplete: more jurisdictions, court orders, and translated justifications should be added over time.

This page is intentionally incomplete. The ban history is a starter dataset, not a final census of every jurisdiction or decree.

Counter and critical readings

Context, rebuttals, and criticism

Reviewed

Ban history

Known government actions

Verified
Date Jurisdiction Action Reason Note
1998 New Zealand classified, prohibited, or restricted Banned for its instructional purpose and "mischievous design": "It is clear from the way that the book is organised that the information is intended to be put to use the warning on the back cover of the book is a clear. Banned for its instructional purpose and "mischievous design": "It is clear from the way that the book is organised that the information is intended to be put to use the warning on the back cover of the book is a clear invitation for irresponsible computer.

Sources

Harvested references for this page