Screamer

The term screamer, also referred to as a jumpscare, is used to describe a game, video, website, or program, that makes the user concentrate on the screen, which may happen in many ways, and then has a sudden unexpected change that is intended to scare or startle the viewer(s).

Most of these screamers use scary images and loud sounds or screams to increase the effect (hence the name screamer). Some examples of screamers are The Maze by Jeremy Winterrowd, Anne.jpg, Ghost Caught on Tape, What's Wrong? and the K-fee commercials. Screamers often have a scary image and a loud scream, per example, Regan MacNeil from the 1973's classic horror movie The Exorcist. Horror films or games are not considered screamers since the users already know they will get scared. In some cases they have startling or disgusting images, and these are called shock sites. They can also be considered screamers since they do surprise the user.

In When the Cold Breeze Blows Away, Screamers or Jump Scares are used by the Grand Alliance and Dedsec as cyber-weapons to coordinate cyber-attacks against network hubs, data centers, and many others