---
title: "Terminal Tomfoolery: SSH Pranks to Try on Your Friends"
url: https://daily.dev/posts/terminal-tomfoolery-ssh-pranks-to-try-on-your-friends-gzfdcugav
source_url: https://daily.dev/posts/terminal-tomfoolery-ssh-pranks-to-try-on-your-friends-gzfdcugav
type: freeform
source: "Dixit Ram"
author: "Dixit Ram"
published: 2026-06-06T14:33:47.477Z
updated: 2026-06-06T14:34:14.080Z
tags: ["linux", "ssh", "bash"]
reading_time: 3
upvotes: 2
comments: 0
language: en
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://daily.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Terminal Tomfoolery: SSH Pranks to Try on Your Friends

**[Dixit Ram](https://daily.dev/sources/heegh9lv7vd4adf6h7mep)** · [@dixitram](https://daily.dev/dixitram) · 3 min read · 2 upvotes · 0 comments

## Summary

A lighthearted guide to SSH-based pranks on Linux/GNOME systems in a shared computer lab setting. Covers changing input language via gsettings, displaying ASCII art in a remote terminal, running infinite spam loops, executing a fork bomb (with warnings), Rick Rolling via xdg-open, and changing the desktop wallpaper remotely. Also includes tips on detecting who logged in using 'who' and 'last' commands.

## Content

I got this idea to write this blog post because I prank my friends a lot in our computer labs.

So I thought, why don't I tell everyone how I do it? I'll give you some ideas to prank your friends, but first you need to know how to connect to their computer using **SSH**.

This is for Linux and GNOME-based OS. You can search for specific commands to open the terminal or settings.

## 1) Changing the Input Language 🌍

First of all, know how to get the current input language using this command:

```
gsettings get org.gnome.desktop.input-sources sources
```

Now, let's change the language. I like to change it to Arabic.

Here, **ara+azerty** is the language code:

```
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.input-sources sources "[('xkb', 'ara+azerty')]"
```

AND YOU'VE CHANGED YOUR FRIEND'S INPUT LANGUAGE! 🎯

## 2) Funny ASCII Art 🎨

I got this from a Text to ASCII art generator site (https://patorjk.com/software/taag/). First, copy the ASCII art.

Now we need to open a terminal window and echo that art on our friend's screen.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/2d6tpqmkawdzjyf2lwy2.png)

Here's the command:

```
gnome-terminal -- bash -c "echo '<PASTE ASCII ART> '; exec bash"
```

## 3) Infinite Spam 🔄

We'll use the **yes** command here.

It will open a terminal and infinitely display the message.

Command:

```
gnome-terminal -- bash -c "yes 'You are pranked!'; exec bash"
```

## 4) Fork Bomb (Do at Your Own Risk - Might Lose a Friend!) ⚠️

We'll log into their computer and run this classic Fork Bomb command.

It creates copies of itself until the system becomes unresponsive.

```
:(){ :|:& };:
```

**Warning: This can seriously mess up their system!**

## 5) Rick Roll 🎵

We'll play "Never Gonna Give You Up" on our friend's default browser:

```
xdg-open "https://youtu.be/xvFZjo5PgG0?si=DFiisy9gTdeRxvu5"
```

Or:

```
gnome-terminal -- bash -c "xdg-open 'https://youtu.be/xvFZjo5PgG0?si=DFiisy9gTdeRxvu5'; exec bash"
```

## 6) Change Display Language & Wallpaper 🖼️

For changing wallpaper, you need to get the image URL first and run a CURL command to save it on their PC.

Then use these commands:

For Light Mode:

```
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.background picture-uri '<IMAGE PATH>'
```

For Dark Mode:

```
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.background picture-uri-dark '<IMAGE PATH>'
```

### Bonus Tip 💡

If that account has permission to install packages, you can use some fun commands from this [article from itsFOSS](https://itsfoss.com/funny-linux-commands/) by opening a new terminal on their screen:

Command:

```
gnome-terminal -- bash -c "<your_command_here>; exec bash"
```

### How to See Who Attacked You? 🕵️

Use these commands to check who pranked you:

- `who`
- `last`

---

**Remember:** Pranking should be fun for everyone involved! Make sure your friends are cool with it, and don't do anything that could cause real damage or get you in trouble. Happy pranking, but prank responsibly! 😄

_P.S. - If someone pranks you back twice as hard, you probably deserved it! 😅_

_#Linux #Fun #Prank #Bash_

---

Tags: [#linux](https://daily.dev/tags/linux), [#ssh](https://daily.dev/tags/ssh), [#bash](https://daily.dev/tags/bash)

[View this post on daily.dev](https://daily.dev/posts/terminal-tomfoolery-ssh-pranks-to-try-on-your-friends-gzfdcugav)