OfficePoltergeist version 2.0 for Firefox
Open Source Mozilla Firefox Extension for Pranks 'n' Fun
Updated 4/1/2008!
What the heck is OfficePoltergeist for Firefox?
If you're like me, then your longtime dream has been to take over all the computers in your office and make them play hysterical laughter and/or other crazy noises. Sure, there are all manner of underground "back orifice" type tools out there that can take over a computer, but until now, there wasn't something simple and disposable that you could use in your office without causing headaches further down the road when you have to uninstall some crazy trojan horse.
No... that's too much effort/risk for a stupid prank. Still, the idea of a ghost in the machine has haunted me for some time.
This project originally began with the old school OfficePoltergeist for Windows. Since the demand was pretty high for that version, I decided to learn how to make Mozilla extensions to port it to anything that can run Mozilla Firefox.
While it's not exactly mankind's greatest masterpiece, OfficePoltergeist has been good vehicle for learning about programming type stuff on different platforms.
What does OfficePoltergeist do?
OfficePoltergeist is a Firefox extension which turns your web browser into a web server.
- Play spooky sounds
- Load new web pages
- Make windows shake
- Send popup alert messages
- Replace any given word on a web page with another word.
OFFICEPOLTERGEIST IS NOT SPYWARE.
While OfficePoltergeist does allow you to take limited control of another person's computer, it does not allow remote users to read data or execute potentially harmful commands.
The goal is to be obnoxious, but not destructive.
OfficePoltergeist lives inside a person's Firefox browser as an extension. It can be uninstalled at any time.
How does OfficePoltergeist work?
OfficePoltergeist turns your Firefox browser into a web server which serves up web pages on port 666. You can access it from any browser...
To begin, download the OfficePoltergeist extension and install it on the target computer. You will need to restart your browser for the extension to become active.
From there, just point your browser to port 666 on your victim's computer like so: http://192.168.1.101:666
Please note: Due to security restrictions, mac and linux users have to use port 13013 on their computers instead of port 666. Not quite as cool, I know, but that's the price you pay.
When you're done, just remove the extension from your victim's computer.
Leave no trace... just like a real poltergeist!
If you want to give it a try on your own machine before unleashing it on your friends and coworkers, it should work just fine. (Although you'll want to use a different browser -- for instance, use IE to access your Firefox browser.) Hit some buttons... play around. You'll figure it out. Believe me, it ain't rocket science.
How do I download OfficePoltergeist?
Version 2.0 of OfficePoltergeist for Mozilla was released just before April 1, 2008.
Download the OfficePoltergeist Mozilla Extension
Please use OfficePoltergeist responsibly.
Rememeber -- ghosts are often mischievous, but never evil.
How do I know that OfficePoltergeist does what it says it does...
... and nothing more?
To prove to yourself that OfficePoltergeist is all treats and no tricks, you can disassemble the .xpi file and view the source. It's all Javascript... nothing too fancy.
OfficePoltergeist was built by jon roig and released under the GPL license.
How do I trick someone into downloading OfficePoltergeist?
OfficePoltergeist really isn't set up that way.
The idea is this: when your coworker is out smoking crack (or whatever he or she does on "break"), take that opportunity to go to the victim's machine, and install the extension. If you need to grab the IP address of the victim's computer, just go to the "Tools" and select "Add Ons." From there, you should see the entry for OfficePoltergeist. Click "Options" and from there you'll see a list of a machine's current IP addresses.
Once your stealth mission is completed, go back to your computer, connect to your victim's machine, and find your inner poltergeist.
Does OfficePoltergeist work behind a firewall?
Yes. As long as ports 666 or 13013 are open, that is.
Does the WindowsXP / Vista Firewall mess with the OfficePoltergeist server?
It can... but since you're there when you install the OfficePoltergeist extension, why not hit the "unblock" button when the alert pops up?
Does the word replace feature mess with the way web pages load?
It shouldn't. Every time a new page loads, the OfficePoltergeist scans the page to see if there is anything that needs to be searched 'n' replaced. It'll leave links, css, images, javascript, etc... alone, just changing the text of the page itself.
How Web 2.0 is OfficePoltergeist for Firefox?
OfficePoltergeist uses standards compliant, open-source technologies like CSS, Ajax and XUL to deliver a premium haunting experience, unmatched even by commercial Poltergeist vendors.
I desperately want to talk with other people about OfficePoltergeist.
Where can I do that?
Well, why not drop by the OfficePoltergeist Google Group if you wanna chat?
You can also make friends with OfficePoltergeist on MySpace... 'cuz the kids are into that.
For the more mature crowd (cough cough), it'd be rad if you'd add us to Del.icio.us or Digg this page. This will allow Jon, OfficePoltergeist's creator, to totally beat his coworkers in website popularity.
Finally, there's an official page for the OfficePoltergeist extension over at addons.mozilla.org.
When's the best time of year to use OfficePoltergeist?
Let's face it... any time is a good time to play computer pranks on coworkers. April Fool's Day, Halloween... they are an excellent time to play office pranks. Your coworkers might be expecting you to strike, but it's all good.