Computer Pranks

Playing computer pranks on family members, friends or coworkers is a way to share a laugh with someone you know. Make sure that you plan your practical joke carefully so that the target also finds it amusing.

How to Choose Good Computer Pranks

When choosing a joke to play on someone that involves his or her computer, keep the emphasis on fun. A prank that damages or destroys equipment has crossed the line from being funny to being mean or even an act of vandalism.

Getting into a person's computer and deleting files or something of that nature is another example of something that is not funny. A person who is considering computer pranks for April Fool's Day or just because they want to lighten up the atmosphere at home or the office should keep in mind that the best computer pranks do no harm to either the hardware or software of the unit.

Examples of Funny Pranks

If you are looking for a prank that you can play on someone using their computer, consider one of the following examples:

"Broken" Monitor

Adjust the brightness control all the way up and turn the contrast all the way down. This will make the computer screen look blank on most monitors. The target of your prank will be trying to fix his or her "broken" monitor.

Home Page Surprise

Another simple way to play a computer prank is to change the home page on a person's browser. Be sure to choose something funny, and avoid sites with content that someone would find disturbing or offensive.

Mouse Fun

Taping a small piece of paper over the ball on the underside of your target's computer mouse is a way to play a prank that will not cause any lasting damage to his or her information. Once the paper is removed, the mouse will start working normally again.

If the target of the prank uses a wireless mouse, taping the piece of paper over its optical eye means the object of the prank will not be able to use it . For an added bit of frivolity, write "April Fool" on the paper. You can choose to confess to playing the prank or keep your victim guessing about who is responsible after they discover the reason for the mouse problem.

Another way to play a computer prank involving the mouse is to adjust its cursor. To set up the prank, go to the computer's control panel and select "Mouse." From this screen, you will be able to set the pointer setting to the slowest speed. The object of the prank will become very frustrated when it takes several seconds simply to move the mouse across the screen. If the person you are pranking doesn't know that the mouse speed can be regulated in this way, don't let them suffer for too long before you let them in on how to restore the function to its usual speed.

Another way to play a computer prank at the office involves a coworker in an adjacent cubicle and acquiring a USB mouse. When the person being pranked steps away from his or her desk, plug the USB mouse into his or her computer's CPU and run the wire back to your desk. When you coworker sits down and starts working at the computer again, start moving the USB mouse on your desk. The target will not realize what is going on and why "his" or "her" mouse is not responding appropriately.

Focus on the Funny

Playing computer pranks can be a fun way to share a laugh with someone who will appreciate the joke. Choose what you are going to do carefully, and make sure that you keep the focus on funny computer pranks, as opposed to destructive ones.