Fake Virus Screen Prank

How to use it

1. Pick when the joke is revealed: after 12, 20 or 30 seconds, or a full minute for a slow burn.
2. Pick a look: Dark alert, a bright Clean scanner or a green Retro terminal.
3. Write your own reveal message if you want, and sign it.
4. Press Start the prank (or F). The screen goes full screen and the scan begins.
5. Press Esc to exit at any time. On a touch screen, tap once and use the small Esc button in the top right corner.

The preview above plays the whole thing in miniature. Press Replay preview to watch it again.

What happens on screen

1. The scan. A calm looking scanner counts files and lists them as it goes (homework_final_FINAL_v3.docx, dance_practice_DO_NOT_WATCH.mp4). Threats start to appear.
2. Things escalate. The threat level climbs to Ridiculous, a warning banner appears, the window glitches and shakes, and pop ups report progress on "Teaching the printer to sing" and "Rotating the internet 90 degrees".
3. The reveal. Confetti, a big "Just kidding!", your message, and a line saying nothing was scanned or changed.

The glitches are small jumps and color splits. The screen never flashes, and the effects stay still if your device is set to reduce motion.

Setting it up on a friend's device

• Choose Black screen until they touch the mouse, keys or screen. Start the prank, and the screen stays black until your friend comes back and wiggles the mouse. Then the scan starts right in front of them.
• Clicks and key presses do not stop it, so it plays to the end. Only Esc exits.
• On an iPhone, add this page to the Home Screen first so there is no browser bar at the top.
• Keep it kind. Stay nearby and end it quickly if someone gets truly worried, has work open, or is about to switch the device off.