Computer jokeware...

[wreckedcarzz]

JUST TO CLARIFY BEFORE YOU READ: This is NOT a malicious...project (I can't think of a better word). Its just something I want to try and see if I could do.

Hi everybody,
This is probobly one of (if not the) wierdest requests ever...BUT...
I want to make a program that jokes around with unsuspecting users and looks like a malicious program. Not a normal malware program that does actual harm, just like a proof-of-concept/"look at what I made!" bragging rights kind of thing. And no, I am not going to shove this into any of my programs or anything (as it is, I might edit it so its less badware and more jokeware).

I know the annoying run-on-startup, and maybe the "Windows is shutting down" shutdown.exe trick every once in a while, but other then that, I am out of ideas. Just displaying these, not actually doing them though (ex: Windows is now shutting down... fake dialog).

[Renegade]

How about one that monitors network traffic for keywords like coffee, coke, pepsi, juice, orange, milk, water, beer, whiskey and other beverage names then when it find one pops open the CD tray and displays a message on the screen, "Your *KEYWORD* holder is now available."

Sounds like a fun virus to me.

You could also make it a mini-keylogger to look for keywords as well. Even more fun!

As for how it spreads, well, perhaps having it install itself as a Windows service would be a fun start. That way you'd hammer people that log out but have network traffic going on when not logged in. Hmmm... What else...

[Gothi[c]]

Joke program, not virus

A virus is self replicating.

Spead the word.

[wreckedcarzz]

How about one that monitors network traffic for keywords like coffee, coke, pepsi, juice, orange, milk, water, beer, whiskey and other beverage names then when it find one pops open the CD tray and displays a message on the screen, "Your *KEYWORD* holder is now available."

Sounds like a fun virus to me.

You could also make it a mini-keylogger to look for keywords as well. Even more fun!

As for how it spreads, well, perhaps having it install itself as a Windows service would be a fun start. That way you'd hammer people that log out but have network traffic going on when not logged in. Hmmm... What else...

-Renegade (August 23, 2007, 05:51 PM)

The drink = CD tray opening can be done, I think I will throw it in just for laughs.

Joke program, not virus

A virus is self replicating.

Spead the word.

-Gothi[c] (August 23, 2007, 05:54 PM)

It doesn't HAVE to be, it CAN be.

[Eóin]

Well in the categories of malware Gothi[c] is correct. Maybe you should be calling what you are toying with as jokeware or something. Tossing out names like virus ain't really going to give you bragging rights and I can't imagine mouser would be too pleased about such a discussion here.

[Conquer]

What language are you writing this project in? If its AHK I'd love to contribute some annoyances such as the floppy disk grind

[wreckedcarzz]

...I can't imagine mouser would be too pleased about such a discussion here.

-Eóin (August 23, 2007, 06:41 PM)

Yea, I am a little worried about that. He (or any mod) can delete this if they want. It isn't my forum.

What language are you writing this project in? If its AHK I'd love to contribute some annoyances such as the floppy disk grind

-Conquer (August 23, 2007, 06:47 PM)

Yea, AHK is all I know right now. I have a basic little GUI setup, with some text and a single button, and a TrayMenu that wont work with me. Thats about it. I could post what I have up here, but right now the TrayMenu is throwing a fit and not letting me open it.

[Conquer]

  AHK! 

[Carol Haynes]

How about a program that at random times tells you which key you pressed - but gets it WRONG by saying you hit the key next to it? Most of the time it would be silent - it could also send you (but not other people) random annoying emails to tell you your typing is crap!

[wreckedcarzz]

Yep
I also just finished making the little request that Renegade had above- it is kinda...freaky the first time. Ill see if I can't send it to him when he gets online.

I am not sure about the whole key press thing, that might be a tad difficult. I could make it save your e-mail address and use it, but the sending portion would be tricky...

[f0dder]

Sending portion is easy, just use MAPI.

And please get this thread renamed so it doesn't say "virus", and state your intentions a bit better, if it's just a little joke program you want to make. There's a world of difference, and a world of pain  waiting for you if you actually wanted to write a virus.

[mitzevo]

what f0dder said,

viruses are bad things; there is no good virus. if there was (which there isn't ) it wouldn't be called a virus.

[wreckedcarzz]

Just checked my email, its still downloading...(after a couple minutes),

Yea, Ill rename it and edit the first post right now.

I already "wrote" it, all it does is have a little button that says "Infect computer" that generates a popup saying "Your computer is being infected"
I might toss it in as part of WinFix, being a similar idea (meaningless, prank/joke program) but it wouldn't be anything badware related

[Hirudin]

Mouser actually has his own jokeware: Dr.Windows

I haven't used it in a while but it's hilarious!

[Lashiec]

Hmmm, Dr. Windows installed in the right computers could make a tech support guy rich. Hey, wreckedcarzz, if that app is "green" (that is, it doesn't leave any trace in the filesystem or the registry, as it's self-contained in its own folder) I might throw it around via IM...

[Edvard]

Before you start, I suggest you peruse the offerings at RJL Software, the kings of joke-ware IMHO. Make sure they haven't already done something you have an idea for, and if they have, why not try and make a better/funnier version.

Looking forward to the results...