New user + what is up with all the mentions of fractals?

[Rynn]

Welcome to the group

So what is it about this passage you specifically have a problem with and what changes to the text are you proposing? I'm aware that hacking doesn't work like it does in the films, but this section was deliberately written to be non-specific about the methods involved. The examples given encompass social engineering, malicious software updates, forced installation, or even physical infection via spore hardware. Also as a quick note the "press-button disconnect" doesn't quite work when your perceptions or beliefs are being edited to not think you need to do that.

From the EG Article DNIs: Basic Components, Features and Risks:

Risks of DNI use
Malware infection: The most common and frightening of all DNI risks across the galaxy. History is littered with tragedies great and small involving the malicious infection of DNIs with software and a-life. The least harmful examples may just result in data theft, software corruption or ad-monitors. The worst cases include insanity neuromods, bodyjacking, brain death with backup corruption, bindings, malicious persona scripts (commercial or ideological) and whole scale assimilation by a hive mind. Consequently cyberimmunity programs are some of the most invested in software throughout history. Uncounted trillions of vot-hours have gone into rational design and directed evolution of adaptive programs that can identify, block and delete malware. In much of the civilized galaxy cyberimmunity is backed by transapient-run angelnets and thus infection is a vanishingly small risk outside of ultratech attack. However both beyond the bounds of these civilizations, within "free" zones and states with questionable practices (such as mandatory personality mods for social compliance) many sophonts can find themselves at risk, even with the latest updates. Caution is advised when travelling to a known hazardous location.

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P.S. What is the meaning of the stars under people's usernames?