Adobe Software Secretly Modifies System Hosts File to Block Activation Server Access
By
rglullis
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Summary
Adobe software has been found to secretly modify the Windows/Mac hosts file to block access to its own activation servers, preventing users from disabling Creative Cloud's auto-renewal feature. This system-level modification is compared to malware behavior and the Sony/BMG rootkit scandal, raising concerns about software overreach, user control, and potential system instability. The article criticizes Adobe for implementing this anti-user measure and discusses the broader implications for software ethics and user rights.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledAt what point does a commercial software suite become malware?
This is reminiscent of the Sony/BMG rootkit fiasco from the mid-2000s.
While editing the hosts file is not exactly a rootkit-level exploit, it is still something that should never, ever be touched by third party software.
In this age of vibe-coded bullshit, I wouldn't be surprised if this kind of system level modification ends up resulting in a corrupted OS installation and data loss.
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