How to Create a Fake and Harmless Virus

Part 1 of 2: Building the Virus

1. 
   1
   Run Notepad. Notepad will allow you to input text with very little formatting. Click Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Notepad.

   • If you're on a Mac, use TextEdit.
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2. 
   2
   Input a small batch file. Put the following into your text file (without the bullets):

   • @echo off
   • echo Message here.
   • shutdown -s -f -t 60 -c "type a message you want to appear here."
3. 
   3
   Click File, then Save As.
4. 
   4
   Name your file.
5. 
   5
   Change the .txt extension to .bat or .cmd.
6. 
   6
   Change the ".txt bar" to "All Files".
   
7. 
   7
   Click Save.
8. 
   8
   Close Notepad.
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Part 2 of 2: Making a Fake Icon

1. 
   1
   Right click on the desktop and go over to "New," then click "Shortcut".
2. 
   2
   For the location of the shortcut, choose your virus.
3. 
   3
   Click "Next".
4. 
   4
   Give the shortcut a name that your victim will or might click on.
5. 
   5
   Click on "Finish".
6. 
   6
   Right click on the shortcut you have just made and choose "Properties".
7. 
   7
   Click on the "Choose icon" button and scroll through the list of icons.
8. 
   8
   Choose an icon that the name of your file. Click on it and hit "OK" twice.

   • Note that this will not work on Windows 7 Pro