How to Create a Harmless Fake Virus (with Pictures)

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2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Do you want to prank your friends? Try this shocking - but harmless - computer virus. Read on to find out how.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Building the Virus

Step 1. Open Notepad

Notepad will allow you to write the virus without formatting the text. Select Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> Notepad.

If you're using a Mac, use TextEdit

Step 2. Create a small batch file

Insert the following text in your file:

@echo off
echo hahahaha I'm hacking your computer!
shutdown -s -f -t 60 -c [write here a message you want to appear and remove the brackets]

Step 3. Click File, then Save As

Step 4. Name your file

Step 5. Change the format from.txt to.bat or.cmd

If you can't do this, look in the Control Panel for an option that displays the format at the end of the names of each file.

Step 6. Change the bar from "Save as.txt" to "All files"

Step 7. Click Save

Step 8. Close Notepad

Method 2 of 2: Create a Fake Icon

Step 1. Right click on the desktop and select "New", then "Shortcut"

Create a Fake and Harmless Virus Step 10

Step 2. Select your virus for the link target

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Step 3. Click "Next"

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Step 4. Name the link that will cause your victim to open it

Create a Fake and Harmless Virus Step 13

Step 5. Click "Finish"

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Step 6. Right click on the newly created link and select "Properties"

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Step 7. Click on the "Change Icon" button and scroll through the list of icons

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Step 8. Choose an icon consistent with your file name

Select it and click "Ok" twice.

Advice

Alternatively, you can set your 'virus' to run automatically every time a user logs into the PC. Go to Start> Programs> Startup (right click)> Open and copy the shortcut to the folder that opens. Beware of the computer shutdown countdown: too short an interval would make the virus ineffective even for most of the most computer-ignorant people.
A boot in safe mode will block Autorun and registry keys from starting.

If you've messed up, start a Live Linux distro and mount the hard drive. Once mounted, navigate to the folder and delete the file.
Running these batch files in full screen can make them much more scary and compelling. Right click on the icon and select Properties -> Run: -> Maximized.
Don't let your computer shut down too soon. It may not scare the victim or it may not even seem like a virus.
It is even better to call the virus "Mozilla Firefox" or "Internet Explorer" and give it the corresponding icon. Save it to your desktop and delete the old shortcut so if they click to open the browser the computer turns off in front of them.

Warnings

Once this virus is clicked, there is often no way to stop it. However, if you need to stop the shutdown for any reason, go to the Command Prompt and type the following line: "shutdown -a". It will immediately close the fake virus.
Only do it to someone who can handle such a joke!
Don't put similar viruses on computers that need to be accessible around the clock, like those in hospitals.
If you use a shutdown countdown, you should set enough time to freeze the count.
Note: This doesn't work on Windows 7 Pro.

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