Mira

@mira@shark.community
24 Followers
71 Following
3.6K Posts
Just some girl who’s old enough to be a grandmother. Former generalist tech worker; currently unemployed. Wannabe goth cat girl techno witch. Wish I was off this rock and working the zero G sections of a starship 
Use Linux, Mac, and Windows depending on what I’m doing.
Fan of all things sciency with astro, geo, and bio as favs.
Also fan of anime and manga, especially of the yuri variety

Please, no under 18 as on rare occasion, nudes and lewds may be boosted, although they will be CW
PronounsShe/her
Agegmilf years
Mira46m ago
Ian Campbell2h ago

Just a quickie from one of our @DomainTools researchers today that I know @cR0w will enjoy.

Malware in DNS - specifically, malware seen being assembled from DNS TXT records.

Not a "zomg new thing!" so much as a neat example in the wild.

#infosec #cybersecurity #DNS

https://dti.domaintools.com/malware-in-dns/

Malware in DNS - DomainTools Investigations | DTI

Because it's always DNS, we wanted to share this fun finding of malware stored across DNS TXT records.

DomainTools Investigations | DTI
Mira49m ago
Ian Campbell1h ago

Haven't dug much to see what's behind this, but seeing flight of thousands of domains out of all-harmless-domains[.]com nameservers, which are usually laden with malware, phishing, and worse.

Overwhelmingly the destination is name-services[.]com, which may be worth upping your risk view of going forward.

Trend started this past Sunday or so.

#threatintel l

Mira52m ago
Drew Crecente (they/them)3h ago

Data manipulation within the US Federal Government [1]

👉Government datasets modified without notice.

▪️We gathered metadata from the US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC, and Veterans Affairs database harvest sources [... ] that were modified between Jan 20 and March 25, 2025.

▪️We found that 114 (49%) of the 232 included datasets were substantially altered.

⭐SOME CHANGES⭐

- “Social determinants of health” to “non
medical factors”
- “Gender” to “sex”
- “female details” column deleted

▪️The agencies involved have not issued any statements confirming or explaining these changes [...]

▪️Despite Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr's (Department of Health and Humana Services) calls for “radical transparency”, unlogged data manipulation moves away from meaningful transparency.

▪️Only 15 (13%) of the 114 altered datasets logged or otherwise indicated that the change had occurred.

[1] 🌐https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)01249-8/fulltext

@publichealth @psychology @sociology @datascience #publichealth #datascience #science #research #health #government #criticalthinking #hhs #cdc #va @bicmay

Mira53m ago
Halcyon Loon20h ago

Well my employer has decided to partner with Palantir, which means it's time for me to find a new job. I was a lot more willing to make 40% less than market rate when I knew my employer wasn't funding concentration camps because they want AI coding tools.

Anyway of you need a UX designer/researcher who knows his way around government regulations, healthcare, enterprise software I'm looking!

Mira11h ago
Yuri Posting12h ago
Artist: rideth mochi
Media: gundam, gundam suisei no majo
Source: https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/110874814
Mira11h ago
scott f16h ago
local restaurants I love you but please have a website that isn't your instagram profile and has your hours of business on it. kthx
Show threadMira11h ago
@tuftCAD maybe they’ll post to AO3
Show threadMira21h ago
@paco I had a cat that was like that. Whenever I started packing for a business trip, he’d jump into my suitcase and audibly sigh. This happened quite a bit, as I traveled for a living
Mira21h ago
So what’s in these emails? That Abbott wants to have Musk’s love child?
Mira21h ago
xyla 🐀📈1d ago
×
Bob YoungJul 6

Adobe is now processing all your PDFs in the cloud, by default. The setting to “Enable generative AI features in Acrobat” was on, and I didn’t know it until I opened a document and Adobe asked me if I wanted a document summary. It’s annoying to have to click “No,” so I opened settings to disable the prompt.

THE PROBLEM
I sign Non-Disclosure Agreements for many of my clients. Adobe is a potential leak of protected information. I don’t know what Adobe does with this information. I don’t know what they store, or for how long. I don’t know what country (or countries) the data is stored in. I don’t know what LLMs are trained with this data. And I don’t need to know. What I need to know is that they won’t use default opt-in as a legal excuse to wiretap my information.

I recommend that you check your Adobe settings on all devices, for all Adobe accounts.

#CallMeIfYouNeedMe #FIFONetworks

#cybersecurity

Show threadbesseljJul 6
@fifonetworks I didn't see the option in Adobe reader because I reverted to the classic UI the day they first introduced the AI assistant. Maybe it's also because I don't sign in to Adobe
Show threadtskJul 6

@fifonetworks But there is something you now know, that you didn't before...

Adobe is yet another data-felching rat bastard corp.

This is why, as you may recall, I take issue with the lack of clear local-remote boundaries in how IT products are presented. A FOSS app store like F-Droid will make the distinction clear, but that appears to be the exception.

Show threadtskJul 6

@fifonetworks IIRC, #Adobe was considered the no. 3 adtech platform circa late-2010s, and their magic vehicle for tracking ad exposure was #Acrobat.

AI is a new justification to turbo-charge the process of grabbing users' private information.

Show threadBert KoorengevelJul 6
@tasket @fifonetworks
Wasn't it Flash on half of the web pages?
Show threadMartin Vermeer FCDJul 6
@tasket @fifonetworks One approach is to just bring down your Internet connection while working. If that doesn't work, you know that that is not software you should be using.
Show threadCaleb MaclennanJul 6
@martinvermeer @tasket @fifonetworks Abolutely insufficient protection. That only weeds out the poorly coded things that assume synchronous always on connections, not the much more robust and insidious ones that have background asynchronous attempts to make connections, gracfully degrade features when unavailable, and may queue up telemetry or data exfiltration for when the network comes up.
Show threadSu_GJul 6

@fifonetworks

It's too bad Adobe is alienating some of their most influential customers like this. What do they gain? A reputation for stupidity (failure to understand customers, customer needs; treating all the same, 'one size fits all" & all that) & evil (do the worst that will offend the most by default). It's not as if there's that much 'customer loyalty' left in the bag... & equivalent or better s/w exists In many cases (hello Affinity!). You have to hope Adobe will get better advice/ advisors at some stage. But don't hold your breath. 😐

Show threadVassil NikolovJul 6

> What do they gain?

One possibility is a feeling they have jumped on the right bandwagon, illusory though it may be.

@Su_G @fifonetworks

Show threadRoman OswaldJul 6
@fifonetworks I recommend to use other software. Ditch Adobe.
Show threadElectron WizardJul 6
@roman78 @fifonetworks And in addition to simply saying 'ditch Adobe', check out https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lm51xZHZI6g James Lee did a great video on switching to a different work flow! And for a simple and dumb (Windows based) PDF Reader: Sumatra PDF Viewer
How I Broke up with Adobe

YouTube
Show threadAxel LeroyJul 6
@electron_wizard @roman78 @fifonetworks or just your your web browser, they all read PDFs by default and most of them can annotate and modify documents now.
Show threadD. B. StuckJul 6

@electron_wizard @roman78 @fifonetworks

I forgot about Sumatra. It was my go to in my Windows days. There's even a portable app version. Throw it on a USB drive or a dropbox account and take it wherever.

Show threadElectron WizardJul 6
@MyWoolyMastadon @roman78 @fifonetworks It's used a lot by the professors at the university I work at, since it can open up 1000 page PDFs with ease!
Show threadHannah SteenbockJul 6

@electron_wizard

Thank you. I just switched out the Adobe PDF Reader for Sumatra, because of your post.

One less big tech program on my computer.

@roman78 @fifonetworks

Show threadElectron WizardJul 6
@Firlefanz @roman78 @fifonetworks Glad to hear. Although forms can't be filled out, it can open up 1000 page PDFs without any issues. It has some simple annotation stuff, although the user experience is a bit rocky in that regards.
Show threadHannah SteenbockJul 6

@electron_wizard

Truth is, I mostly need something to look at my receipts and stuff when I do bookkeeping. Can't remember the last time I filled in a form.

I'm sure there are other options if I ever have to.

Show threadjoëlJul 8

@Firlefanz @electron_wizard Foxit is okay-ish if you need to fill out form or want to use a lot annotations. most browsers can deal with pdf forms, too.

But Sumatra is really really good for reading.

Show threadsanpanJul 6
@electron_wizard @roman78 @fifonetworks I´ve been using PDF Xchange editor for 15 years now. The first thing I do with a new PC at work is deinstalling Adobe. I used to hate them for being bloated, than for their pricing (I know their PDF reader is free, I couldn´t break my habit though), now for their AI slob.
Show threadMartinJul 6
@roman78 @fifonetworks I use PDFGear and got rid of all Adobe things.
Show threadWolf Munroe ☎Jul 6

@fifonetworks

Adobe is a trash company. I'm surprised there's an option to disable the AI feature.

Years ago I wanted Acrobat Reader to stop putting a shortcut on my desktop every time it updated (roughly monthly). AdobeCare told me to install another Adobe software (an administrative policy editor, basically) to make the change as I couldn't do it in Acrobat Reader itself. I couldn't make heads or tails of that program.

I'm on Linux now though, so I should be safe. No Adobe here.

Show threadDeManiak 🇿🇦Jul 6

@munroe @fifonetworks gotta say - moving to linux to esape Adobe... that is a whole mood.

I do understand it tho!

Show threadWolf Munroe ☎Jul 6

@kaasbaas @fifonetworks

Oh, I didn't move to Linux to escape Adobe, it's just a side benefit.

I just jumped off Windows 10 early (mid-2023) when they announced End-of-Life. I had kind of wanted to switch when I bought this PC in 2019 but I wasn't ready to commit at that point. In 2019 I got this PC and it came with Windows 10. I had used WindowsXP before that, long past its End-of-Life. Now I don't remember why it took me so long to commit to the switch to Linux.

Show threadDeManiak 🇿🇦Jul 6

@munroe @fifonetworks nice.

for me, I took one whiff of that stupid Win8, and I made the jump.

Been dual booting for a while before that with the Last Good Windows (7).

I feel for folks trapped in windows by some obscure software requirements (or work compliance reasons)

Show threadWolf Munroe ☎Jul 6

@kaasbaas @fifonetworks

I stuck with XP for so long because I had to use Vista at work for awhile and really did not like it. (I always ran XP in the gray/boxy Win9x desktop mode, as I also think the green/blue XP is garish.)

When Win7 came out, I heard good things, but the turn-over to Win8 was so fast that I was still on XP. When Win10 came out and I heard it was "the last version of Windows" I was like "Well, they're going to a subscription model" so I avoided it for many years.

Show threadWolf Munroe ☎Jul 6

@kaasbaas @fifonetworks

I wanted to go to Linux rather than Win10, but I did want to use the computer for games and in 2019 I don't know if Linux+Proton was ready yet. So I stayed on Windows.

So with Windows11, when I was finally on Windows10 (which turned out to be relatively OK aside from all the online integration), I couldn't see any benefit to the consumer for the upgrade. All the benefit was to Microsoft with a new money grab and more telemetry.

So I finally got to Linux. Yay!

Show threadDan GordilloJul 6

@kaasbaas @munroe @fifonetworks anyway, you can use the most of free software alternatives also with Windows.

Therefore, gnu/Linux is better option ;P

Show threadslembckeJul 6

(Edit! I thought Adobe bought Figma a few years ago, but apparently the merger failed. My bad…)

@fifonetworks They’ve also been training AI on user documents for Figma for almost a year now. It’s opt out! https://help.figma.com/hc/en-us/articles/17725942479127-Control-AI-features-and-content-training-settings

Honestly it’s merely a matter of time before they do it with Creative Cloud too. Too few seems to care… :-/

Control AI features and content training settings

Who can use this feature Available on all paid plans  Note: Figma’s AI features are currently free while in beta, but usage limits may apply. When made generally available, Figma AI will be...

Figma Learn - Help Center
Show threadEivind A. JohansenJul 6
@slembcke
Figma is not Adobe.
Show threadHannekeJul 6
@Arnstein @slembcke I thought Adobe bought them, but I looked it up and apparently the deal was cancelled. (posting this for other people having the same thought)
Show threadslembckeJul 6
@h5e @Arnstein Same. Whoops. My bad.
Show threadDimitrisJul 6
@fifonetworks Use pdf x-change editor. It's faster and without AI crap.
Show threadDr Neenah Estrella-LunaJul 6
@Eglaf @fifonetworks Jumping in to second this. If you're using Windows, PDF exchange is a perfect replacement.
Show threadDr Neenah Estrella-LunaJul 6
@Eglaf @fifonetworks To add, I too have a lot of cybersecurity concerns, including NDAs that I have with my clients. PDF X-change does everything I need without the AI and surveillance BS.
Show threadK4mpfieJul 6
@fifonetworks But this is only happening when you log in?
Show threadBert KoorengevelJul 6
@K4mpfie @fifonetworks
I don't think so.
NB: logged in to what? My own PC, that is?
Never knew reading a PDF required an account somewhere...
Show threadK4mpfieJul 6
@bertkoor @fifonetworks No 🙈 I meant logged into an Adobe Account. The question really is: Does Adobe use your files to train it's AI even if you just use the PDF Viewer without an Adobe account
Edit: I know it's not required to have an Adobe Account to open Adobe PDF Viewer, but this vulnerability gets way worse if Adobe scan every PDF that you open it in their program
Show threadOS-SCIJul 6
@fifonetworks I stopped using Adobe products many years ago. For Pdfs I use LibreOffice Draw and i am quite satisfied with it. May the Foss be with you.
Show threadOliver SchafeldJul 6

I don't need advanced PDF editing options so I'm quite happy with using Skim instead of Acrobat Reader.

https://skim-app.sourceforge.io

I switched from Adobe Creative Suite to Affinity (one-time purchase instead of monthly subscription). Occasional Photoshop users could even try this free web app: https://www.photopea.com

Skim | Home

Skim project web page

Show threadCHBJul 6
@fifonetworks Thank you for highlighting this. Have to check those settings!
Show threadUlrike Walter-LipowJul 6
@fifonetworks Thank you for this!
Show threadBobDevneyJul 6

@fifonetworks

Yikes.

Although all three Generative AI boxes were unchecked (set to off) when I looked in my settings, so apparently not on by default in the case of my account. Whew. But thanks, will look again every so often.

Show threadAndreas FinkJul 6
@fifonetworks the solution is to not use any Adobe products at all. I have uninstalled all from Adobe once they moved to rental. And my adobe account was leaked as well (I only used it once when installing Photoshop because there was no other option). Adobe is not trustworthy. Period!
Show threadstaringatcloudsJul 6
@afink @fifonetworks Would gimp do ?
Show threadMrGrumpyMonkeyJul 6
@staringatclouds @afink @fifonetworks Add Krita to this as an alternative option.
Show threadMvRiederbergJul 6
@fifonetworks @inthehands I used Adobe since Illustrator 4.0. Leaved now.
Show threadMillenial WitchJul 6
@fifonetworks The unfortunate thing is that you can assume that they will use whatever data they can get and/or infer about you, and then sell it under the guise of anonimization to a company/companies that will later use it in a way that's impossible the predict now, but which for sure will coax you into buying a future product/service that you most likely don't really need 
Show threadKarl Heinz HäsliprinzJul 6
@fifonetworks PDF was a bad idea since a veryyyy long time. Maybe people can stop using it now?
Show threadEzekiel Jul 6
@KarlHeinzHasliP i don’t think this post has anything to do with PDF being a good or bad product
Show threadMillenial WitchJul 6
@fifonetworks and the idea that it's a default setting is outrageous in and of itself. Just think about it: a corporation that only purpose is to make more money to stakeholders, gets access to your data (and everyone else) because they decided that they have the right to it. And it's not only Adobe, but all of them: Google, Meta, Apple and the lot.
Show threademily, blinkenlight witchJul 6
@fifonetworks The "your documents will be processed in the cloud" sentence you have that line pointing at says that happens *when you use generative AI features on them*. It doesn't say they'll preemptively process things before you've done so.

Still worth turning off to prevent misclicks, but "every document you view" is a mischaracterization of what's described in that text.
Show threadTom_HuthJul 6

@fifonetworks What will this mean to Adobes business with European customers, which currently seeking a independence and sovereign place for their processing and data?
At least AWS and Microsoft have reacted by announcing a more independent data-center in the EU. Now Adobe is constructing a short cut for (sensible) data? For AI Learning?

WTF Adobe 😡.
We should advise not to use their products anymore!
This kind of hidden feature is just impudence.
Trusting Adobe? 🤪 A joke

Show threadTom_HuthJul 6

@fifonetworks Just a second aspect for everyone.

Have you implemented it (data loss prevention tool) and you using it effectively and company-wide for data loss prevention?
May you have to think again, thanks to the Adobe short circuit.
Ultimately, if you read AI in the product description, you should proceed as you would with medication: Ask your doctor or pharmacist about risks and side effects.
(Security doctor and Professor privacy)😉

AI does not forget!

Show threadShredJul 7
@Tom_Huth I'm so old that I still remember the Adobe Flash Player. When it comes to "trust", Adobe isn't exactly the first company that springs to my mind. 😆 @fifonetworks
Show threadTom_HuthJul 7
@shred @fifonetworks Exactly, and yes I remember Adobe Flash as well.
Show threadAlbert CardonaJul 6
@fifonetworks Given such practices from Adobe, there's no expectation that they'll respect the setting, or come up with a new way to undermine the user's choice in the future. The only sensible path forward is to stop using Adobe products altogether. There are plenty of alternatives.
Show threadEl DuvelleJul 6

@albertcardona @fifonetworks ...what's a good Adobe alternative for reading and signing PDFs? 🥹

Edit: on windows

Show threadDan GoodmanJul 6
@elduvelle @albertcardona @fifonetworks Firefox is pretty good. Probably can't do digital signing but you can draw a signature with it.
Show threadIris Young (he/they/she) (PhD)Jul 6
@neuralreckoning @elduvelle @albertcardona @fifonetworks I love Xodo for all things pdf. I use it for annotation on ipad and it's supported across mac, windows, linux and android as well.
Show threadDan GoodmanJul 6
@iris @elduvelle @albertcardona @fifonetworks expensive though!
Show threadEl DuvelleJul 6
@neuralreckoning @iris @albertcardona @fifonetworks indeed!!