How to Corrupt a File on Purpose Using Corrupt a File.Net

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This wikiHow teaches you how to corrupt a file using a free online service. Corrupting a file intentionally can be useful in a handful of situations, the most common of which is sending a "completed" but corrupted document to a teacher, supervisor, or client in order to buy more time to work on the document.

Steps

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    If you're corrupting the file in order to send it to someone for the purpose of buying more time to work on the file, you'll want to make sure that the file is the correct size, length, and/or format.
    • For example, if your document is supposed to be a 10-page Word document, you should type 10 pages' worth of text (e.g., gibberish or copied text from elsewhere) into a Word document to show that the document is actually 10 pages long.
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    While you won't be corrupting the original file, there's always a chance that you'll accidentally delete the original file instead of the corrupted file when you're through using it. To avoid this, it's best to create a copy of the file you want to corrupt.
    • To back up a file, click the file in question, press either Ctrl + C (Windows) or ⌘ Command + C (Mac) to copy it, go to a safe location on your computer, and paste the file there by pressing either Ctrl + V or ⌘ Command + V .
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    Go to https://corrupt-a-file.net/ in your computer's web browser. This website can corrupt most common file types such as MP3s, Word documents, Excel sheets, and more.
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    It's a yellow button near the middle of the page. Doing so prompts a File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) window to appear.
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    Go to the location of the file that you want to corrupt, then click the file once to select it.
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    It's in the bottom-right corner of the window. This will upload your file to the Corrupt-a-File website.
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    This button is near the bottom of the page. Corrupt-a-File will begin corrupting your file.
    • This can take anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes depending on your file's size.
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    This will download the corrupted file onto your computer.
    • Depending on your browser's settings, you may have to click Save or select a save location to confirm the download.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Can the corrupted files be recovered using data recovery software?
    DANIEL MESKIN
    Community Answer
    No. The data is not locally stored, therefore recovery software won't have trace files to recover from. As long as you are not handing in your laptop, you should be fine.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 34
  • Question
    What do I do after the Malwarebytes browser extension blocked the download?
    Community Answer
    Disable Malwarebytes for a few minutes. It's a common occurrence, and it's nothing to worry about. Just remember to turn it back on after you're done.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 6 Helpful 5
  • Question
    Is it possible for the recipient to tell that the file was deliberately corrupted?
    Community Answer
    If you have a Mac, yes. Clicking will get info on a file, the link the URL of the website the corrupted file is downloaded from in the "where from" section. This only applies if you used the website though.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Tips

      • Modern computers and programs rarely allow for corrupted files to be created in the first place, so sending the same person a corrupted file more than once will most likely cause them to become suspicious.
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      Warnings

      • Since plenty of teachers, professors, employers, and people in general are aware of this strategy, sending a corrupted file to buy time isn't as viable a tactic as it used to be.
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