Story
Adobe modifies hosts file to detect whether Creative Cloud is installed
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Overview
Adobe modifies the hosts file on Windows and macOS systems with Creative Cloud installed to detect existing installations when users visit their website. This modification allows Adobe to load a specific image via JavaScript to check for the presence of a DNS entry in the hosts file.
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Hacker News · osnews.com
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Based on 5 sampled comments from this thread. Analyzed 2026-04-07.
- Praise: Adobe's integration of AI features, despite the cost increase, reflects the industry's shift towards incorporating advanced technologies into creative tools, which can enhance user capabilities.
- Concern: Modifying the hosts file without user consent raises significant privacy and security concerns, indicating a troubling trend in software practices that could undermine user trust.
- Concern: The doubling of subscription fees for Adobe Creative Cloud, particularly with mandatory AI features, alienates long-time users and suggests a move away from user-centric pricing models.
- Concern: The removal of tiers that exclude AI access limits options for users who prefer traditional tools, potentially forcing them into unwanted subscriptions.