Hacking is often seen as a serious and malicious act, but sometimes hackers use their skills to pull off hilarious pranks that leave everyone laughing. From changing a website’s homepage to displaying funny messages on digital billboards, these hackers find creative ways to bring humor to the world of cybersecurity. Here are the top 10 pranks of the year that prove hacking can be funny:
1. The Fake Presidential Alert: In October, a hacker sent out a fake presidential alert to millions of Americans’ smartphones, warning them of an impending “alien invasion.” The message caused panic among some recipients, but many found humor in the prank once they realized it was fake.
2. The Inflatable Pikachu: In Tokyo, hackers took control of a giant inflatable Pikachu outside a Pokémon store and made it dance to the song “Gangnam Style.” Passersby couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of the beloved character busting a move in the street.
3. The Rickroll Ransomware: A group of hackers created a ransomware virus that, instead of demanding money, forced victims to watch the music video for Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up.” While annoying for those affected, the prank brought the classic internet meme back into the spotlight.
4. The Google Maps Shark: Hackers manipulated Google Maps to make it appear as though a giant shark was swimming through a suburban neighborhood. The prank went viral online, with many people amused by the absurdity of the fake sighting.
5. The Amazon Echo Toilet Joke: A hacker programmed Amazon Echo devices to respond to the command “flush the toilet” with a series of toilet flushing sounds and jokes about bathroom habits. Users were both surprised and entertained by the unexpected responses.
6. The Self-Driving Car Dance Party: Hackers hacked into a fleet of self-driving cars and made them all stop in the middle of the road to throw a dance party. The sight of the cars grooving to music in unison left onlookers in stitches.
7. The Pizza Delivery Drone: A group of hackers reprogrammed a drone to deliver pizzas to unsuspecting customers, complete with a recorded message from the drone itself thanking them for their order. The unconventional delivery method caught many off guard but also provided a good laugh.
8. The Netflix Hackathon: Hackers infiltrated Netflix’s system and added a selection of “cheesy” movies to users’ queues, along with fake reviews praising the films as cinematic masterpieces. While some users were initially confused, most found the prank amusing once they realized what was happening.
9. The Twitter Hack: A hacker gained access to a popular celebrity’s Twitter account and posted a series of humorous tweets pretending to be the star. The tweets included jokes, memes, and funny anecdotes that had followers laughing along with the prankster.
10. The Email Signature Switcheroo: Hackers swapped the email signatures of coworkers in a large company, leading to confusion and hilarity as employees received emails signed with the wrong names and titles. The mix-up provided a lighthearted break from the usual workday stress.
While hacking is typically associated with serious cyber threats, these pranks show that hackers can also use their skills for comedic purposes. By injecting humor into the world of cybersecurity, these hackers remind us that sometimes a little laughter is the best defense against the dangers of the digital world.
