Tangled Web: Tales of Digital Crime from the Shadows of Cyberspace - Hardcover

Power, Richard

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 078972443X ISBN 13: 9780789724434

Publisher: QUE, 2000

Synopsis

With the intense growth of e-business, we hear about an increase in hacking and technology-based criminal incidents. Institutions such as Citibank and Ebay have faced intrusions that have cost them millions of dollars in damages. With the onset of these criminal attacks, there is an increase in demand for products and services that provide more information for people. Tangled Web: Tales of Digital Crime from the Shadows of Cyberspace portrays the shadow side of cyberspace by taking you into the lairs of hackers, crackers, researchers, private investigators, law enforcement agents and intelligence officers. The book covers what kinds of cyber-crimes are going to affect business on the Internet, their cost, how they are investigated, and the motivation of hackers and virus writers. Also covered are the problems faced by law enforcement, corporate cyber security professionals, and real-world examples of cyber crimes and lessons learned.

About this title

Review:

Part true crime, part call to arms, Tangled Web looks over the firewall from both sides to examine the brave new crooks and their pursuers. Author Richard Power, editorial director of San Francisco's Computer Security Institute, is simultaneously engaging and wonky, a rare and lovely combination. Between interviews with hackers and security experts, Power plies the reader with numbers that suggest that the world's networks are swarming with money-sucking leeches, most of which are never even noticed, and certainly not caught. If his voice never quite becomes hysterical, it's to preserve his credibility; after all, Power's Institute needs a strong public awareness of cybercrime in order to stay in business.

Which is not to say that Tangled Web is inaccurate or strongly biased. The author gives credit where it is due to law enforcement agencies and security consultants who have made some genuine progress in preventing crime and apprehending criminals. Fortunately, it's tough as of yet to commit violent crimes over a network, but the reader will still find reason to think twice before glossing over security procedures even at home. Power provides example countermeasures for all levels of connection, value and privacy desired, and while some are out of reach of individuals and smaller businesses, others cost only a little time or convenience. Like health insurance, it is better to take care of it beforehand, and Tangled Web should inspire even the most confident reader to action. --Rob Lightner

About this edition

• Publisher: QUE
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 078972443X
• ISBN 13: 9780789724434
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 448