I've never been one to write virus' but I have done a few practical jokes over the years.
My first was when I first started out as a computer techie. I wrote a batch program that inserted a call command into the autoexec (we're talking DOS here, and not even version 6 - I refuse to give the version number incase you think i'm old - besides, my ageing brain can't remember).
This meant that the next time the PC started it called my little joke. It pretended to scramble the FAT of the hard disk and then format the drive, complete with ASCII graphics codes and hard disk activity.
It then called a daughter application that not only deleted the joke virus file but wiped over the last 1k of deleted disk space to completely remove all track of the 'joke'.
After which it restarted and the computer was back to normal.
My boss knew it was me because of the spelling mistakes, but it took him 2 days solid work to hypothesise what I had done...
My next prank was at college learning to code Turbo Pascal. I descovered the inbuilt sound command if played in a for next loop increments the frequency by 1 each cycle sounded very much like a jet taking off.
I compiled a simple TSR and wrote the same auto-insertion/auto-remove batch files and installed it to every machine in the college PC room during break.
When we returned after break 25 PC's all started making jet engine sounds. The lecturer was livid, the sound kept playing until they where switched off.
He ordered all machiens to be switched off (to spare our ears) then called in the IT Manager to identify the problem and bring to justice the offender. He booted the machines up and there was no sounds...
The whole class bought be a beer that afternoon and I had to get the train home.
My final joke was after my mothers boss sent her the demo of the computer game virus that pretends to delete your hard disk. So in return I wrote a simple DB Classic joke program that pretended to wipe your hard disk along with the obligatory HD activity.
Then it faded out to a 3D skeleton model and dramatic camera angles that rotated around to reveal 'Youve just experienced Sue's revenge'.
Unfortunately he didn't have DX installed and it fell flat
So I changed the text and sent it to all my mates over email instead... suckers.
Pneumatic Dryll
