6 pranks you can pull off using tech

pranks pull using tech
April 11, 2025
4 min read
By Cojocaru David & ChatGPT

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6 Tech Pranks That Will Make You the Office Joker (Harmless Edition)

Want to inject some laughter into your workplace or friend group without causing genuine mayhem? Tech provides a playground for harmless, hilarious pranks. Forget the itching powder; these 6 tech-based pranks are guaranteed to elicit chuckles (and maybe a few bewildered expressions) without crossing the line.

1. The Phantom Mouse: A Cursor With a Mind of Its Own

This classic prank is a surefire way to bewilder your target. Imagine their frustration as their mouse cursor dances across the screen independently!

How to Unleash the Phantom

For Windows users, this prank is surprisingly simple:

  1. Open Notepad.

  2. Paste the following script:

    MoveMouse()
    WScript.Sleep 5000
    Loop

  3. Save the file as ghostmouse.vbs.

  4. Run the script (ideally minimizing it afterward).

Watch the confusion unfold as they try to regain control of their rogue cursor!

2. Blue Screen of… Amusement? The Fake BSOD

Nothing elicits a surge of panic quite like the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). This prank leverages that instant reaction for comedic effect.

Crafting Your Fake Crash

  1. Find a convincing BSOD image or create a full-screen webpage that mimics the Windows error screen. Several free templates are available online.
  2. Set this as their browser’s homepage or open it in full-screen mode and pin it to the taskbar.
  3. (Optional) Add a countdown timer for extra realism, suggesting a system restart.

3. Autocorrect Anarchy: Subtly Rewriting Reality

The power of autocorrect, weaponized for humor! This prank involves subtly altering their phone or computer’s dictionary to replace common words with absurd alternatives.

Master of Misdirection

  1. Windows: Edit the autocorrect settings within Word or Outlook.
  2. iPhone: Navigate to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement.
  3. Get creative! Replace words like “yes” with “affirmative,” “no” with “negative,” or “the” with “banana.” The more unexpected, the better!

4. The Printer That Never Quits: A Paper Avalanche

For shared office printers, this prank delivers a slow-burn comedy as a never-ending print job unfolds.

Unleashing the Paper Monster

  1. Access a shared printer on the network.
  2. Prepare a lengthy, nonsensical document (think lorem ipsum repeated endlessly) or research a command to loop a print job continuously.
  3. Initiate the print job and step back to watch the paper mountain grow!

5. Voice Assistant Hijinks: The Talking Head

Smart speakers are ripe for prank potential. Reprogramming Alexa or Google Home to respond to specific phrases with unexpected answers can lead to some hilarious interactions.

Creative Voice Command Chaos

  1. Program your chosen voice assistant to respond to common phrases in unusual ways.
  2. Examples: Have Alexa say “I’m watching you” when someone says “Hello,” or play a spooky sound effect when a specific word is uttered.

6. Fake Hacker in Action: Hollywood Hacking at Its Finest

Evoke the mystique of Hollywood hacking with a simple command prompt trick.

The Imposter’s Toolkit

  1. Open Command Prompt (or Terminal on macOS/Linux).
  2. Enter the command ping -t localhost. This will create a continuous stream of scrolling text, mimicking a network diagnostic tool.
  3. For added flair, create a batch file (or shell script) with lines of random “hacking” messages and run it in the command prompt.

The Prankster’s Oath

Tech pranks are all about spreading joy and laughter. Remember to choose your target wisely, ensure they have a good sense of humor, and always keep it lighthearted. These 6 tech-powered pranks are designed to inject some fun into the everyday, proving that technology can be just as entertaining as it is useful.

“A true prankster knows the line between a joke and genuine annoyance. Aim for smiles, not frustration!”