Steal This Computer Book 3:
What They Won't Tell You About The Internet
Book Review

By Dale Farris, Secretary Golden Triangle PC Club July 2003 General Overview This offbeat, non-technical book looks at what hackers do, how they do it, and how you can protect yourself. This new 3rd edition of this bestseller (over 150,000 copies sold) adopts the same informative, irreverent, and entertaining style that made the first two editions a huge success. Thoroughly updated, this edition also covers rootkits, spyware, web bugs, identity theft, hacktivism, wireless hacking (wardriving), biometrics, and firewalls. No Starch Press has built this "Steal This Computer Book" series into a national bestseller, with worldwide distribution and translations in seven different languages. The success of "Steal This Computer Book" is a testament to the public's fascination with hacker culture and No Starch Press's ability to present what could be very technical information in a compelling, easy-to-digest format. Special Features "Steal This Computer Book 3" explains: How to tackle spyware, web bugs, and adware - seemingly innocent programs that harvest your private information How hackers hide their identities and shred their files How hackers write computer viruses and worms How Trojan Horse programs work and how to defend against them How hackers steal software and defeat copy-protection mechanisms How to fight back against spammers How to tell when your machine is being attacked and what you can do to protect it Where the hackers are, how they probe a target and sneak into a computer, and what they do when they get there Is Your Computer Safe? Well, maybe your machine is not protected as much as you could. If you are interested in subversive computing, and how to prevent the hackers from getting into and using your machine, this super book is for you. Material Covered In February 2001 "Steal This Computer Book" landed on the Publishers Weekly Computer Bestseller List for a reason. Author Wallace Wang attributes the book's success to its mass appeal. He says "There are plenty of books about computer hacking and security. Most focus on the technical details that only hackers or security professionals would understand, while my book explains many of the same topics in ways that many people can relate. Other books target audiences that are concerned with protecting a server, or network, but my book focuses on helping readers protect their own computer." The book explores the hows and whys of subversive computing, such as virus creation and propagation, circumventing online censors, spam, and online stalking. In addition, in the new 3rd edition, there are new sections on spamware, hacktivism, war driving, rootkits, cyberterrorism, and the pros and cons of firewalls and intrusion detection. Publisher Bill Pollack, No Starch Press, says "Many people have only heard of this stuff. This book allows them to explore these topics from a safe distance, while at the same time learning how to avoid many of the threats outlined in the book. The Internet is a tremendous resource, but things can get a bit wacky - especially for the uninformed." Table of Contents The twenty (20) chapters include the following: 1: Finding What You Need: The Magic Of Search Engines 2: Alternative Sources Of News And Information 3: Censoring Information (We Know What's Best For You) 4: Hacktivism: Online Activism 5: Pledging Allegiance: Hatred As Patriotism 6: Where The Hackers Are 7: Viruses And Worms 8: Trojan Horses: Beware Of Geeks Bearing Gifts 9: Con Games On The Internet 10: Online Stalkers 11: Probing A Target 12: Sneaking Into A Computer 13: Digging In 14: Computing On A Shoestring 15: Protecting Your Data And Your Privacy 16: Waging War On Spam 17: Web Bugs, Adware, Pop-Ups, And Spyware 18: Firewalls, Intrusion Detection Systems, And Honeypots 19: Computer Forensics: Recovering And Deleting Data 20: Protecting Your Computer The Appendix contains a section on software, a hacker's gallery of rogue tools, phone phreaking and phun, and a handy glossary. Additional CD ROM Disc Full of Super Files In addition, for only the cost of shipping and handling, $4.95, No Starch Press has made available a CD ROM disc that contains 180MB of files that contain hacking-related software, including freeware, shareware, trialware, and demos, and text files. Visit www.nostarch.com/stcb3_cd.htm for details on ordering this CD ROM disc. Target Readers The focus in "Steal This Computer Book 3" is on learning all about the various subversive computing topics and techniques that now plague many who regularly connect to the Internet. The book will not turn anyone into a hacker, but it will teach you how to think like a hacker, which means challenging your own preconceived notions about right and wrong and looking beyond the mental limitations of our culture. If you want to use your computer as a tool to expand your awareness, rather than substitute for it, this book is for you. If you are looking for detailed information about finding flaws in the latest version of Red Hat Linux or how to configure a Cisco router to protect a corporate network from attack, look elsewhere. If you want a book that explores both the technical and social implications of the hidden, darker side of the Internet that most people never see, read or hear about, this book is for you. Some readers may find the information in this book distasteful, disturbing, and downright dangerous. Yet others will see this same information as an excuse and a reason to cause havoc and make trouble for others. You will not find step-by-step instructions explaining how to break into a computer, nor will you find technical discussions that show all the flaws inherent in any particular type of operating system. The book is not a technical book about computer hacking. The book is a philosophy book about the implications about computer hacking. Hacking is not just about breaking into computers. Hacking is about exploring, extending boundaries, and searching for knowledge for its own sake. "Steal This Computer Book 3" is also a definite must for computer user groups, and would serve as an excellent door prize in a future user group meeting. Book Contents 384 pages; figures; appendix; glossary; index Author Wallace Wang About the Author Best-selling computer book author Wallace Wang is a former contributor to Boardwatch magazine, where he wrote a monthly column called "Notes From the Underground." He is also a successful stand-up comic who has appeared on A & E's "Evening at the Improv" program, and appears regularly at the Riviera Comedy Club in Las Vegas. ISBN May 2003 - Third Edition 1-59327-000-3 List Price $24.95 $37.95 CAN About No Starch Press San Francisco based No Starch Press, Inc., publisher of such best-selling titles as "Steal This Computer Book 2," "The Book of JavaScript," and "The Linux Cookbook," is an independent publishing company committed to producing readable, information-packed computer books that make a difference. No Starch focuses on Open Source, Web development, computer security, programming tools, and alternative operating systems. No Starch authors are highly regarded experts who have the rare ability to write about complex topics clearly and concisely. As a result, No Starch books share a no-nonsense manner that both educates and entertains. The Linux Journal Press series offers readers books on cutting-edge Open Source topics that make a difference, in an effort to advance the acceptance and usability of Linux. Recent titles include "The Book of Zope," "Programming Linux Games," and "The Linux Cookbook." Linux Journal Press titles are developed in partnership with Linux Journal. The No Starch international distribution network brings their books to all major English-language and critical non-English language markets. Their U.S. distributor, Publishers Group West (PGW), is the largest U.S. distributor for independent book publishers. PGW sells to all major wholesalers (Ingram, Baker & Taylor, Bookazine, Koen, etc.), national chains and independents, online booksellers, and academic and technical bookstores. No Starch also aggressively pursues sales in non-traditional channels, including corporate and premium sales, bulk sales, and book clubs. The No Starch international distributors (including JGA in Canada, Computer Bookshops in the UK, Woodslane in Australia/New Zealand) reach all major English and non-English markets with large technical populations. They also maintain extensive contacts with international publishers who translate their books and bring them to their markets in their local language. William Pollock, founder and publisher of No Starch Press, Inc. (and co-founder of APress) has over fifteen years of book publishing experience. No Starch Press benefits from his experience in professional reference, scientific, college, and trade publishing. Mr. Pollock has worked his way up through the publishing ranks from editorial assistant, to sales representative, to acquisitions editor, to publisher. He knows the book publishing business from the ground up. Publisher Contact No Starch Press 555 De Haro St., Suite 250 San Francisco, CA 94107 800-420-7240 415-863-9900 FAX 415-863-9950 www.nostarch.com