Publisher Description

If you thought hacking was just about mischief-makers hunched over computers in the basement, think again. As seasoned author Wallace Wang explains, hacking can also mean questioning the status quo, looking for your own truths and never accepting at face value anything authorities say or do.The completely revised fourth edition of this offbeat, non-technical book examines what hackers do, how they do it, and how you can protect yourself. Written in the same informative, irreverent, and entertaining style that made the first three editions hugely successful, Steal This Computer Book 4.0 will expand your mind and raise your eyebrows. New chapters discuss the hacker mentality, social engineering and lock picking, exploiting P2P file-sharing networks, and how people manipulate search engines and pop-up ads to obtain and use personal information. Wang also takes issue with the media for "hacking" the news and presenting the public with self-serving stories of questionable accuracy.Inside, you'll discover--How to manage and fight spam and spyware-How Trojan horse programs and rootkits work and how to defend against them-How hackers steal software and defeat copy-protection mechanisms-How to tell if 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 once they get inside-How corporations use hacker techniques to infect your computer and invade your privacy-How you can lock down your computer to protect your data and your personal information using free programs included on the book's CDIf you've ever logged onto a website, conducted an online transaction, sent or received email, used a networked computer or even watched the evening news, you may have already been tricked, tracked, hacked, and manipulated. As the saying goes, just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you. And, as Wallace Wang reveals, they probably are.The companion CD contains hundreds of megabytes of 100% FREE hacking and security related programs, like keyloggers, spyware stoppers, port blockers, IP scanners, Trojan horse detectors, and much, much more. CD compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Author Biography

Wallace Wang is the author of several best-selling computer books including of the Steal This Computer Book series, Steal This File Sharing Book, The Book of Nero 7, and Visual Basic 2005 Express- Now Playing (all No Starch Press). He is also a successful standup comic who has appeared on A&E's "Evening at the Improv" and appears regularly at the Riviera Comedy Club in Las Vegas.

Table of Contents

The early hackers The PC pioneers The internet hackers The real world hackers The future - hacking for profit Protecting your computer & yourself

Review

"A terrific guide . . . made enjoyable by the sense that you're seeing how the bad guys operate. But beyond this excitement, the book has immediate value."
—SD Times

"Since Steal This Computer Book 4.0 hit my desk, a strange thing happened: Almost every person who saw it immediately asked to borrow it. This wasn't just the other office geeks, but some downright technophobes, as well . . . There are good reasons for all the interest."
—Security Management

"Demonstrates that you can write about computer security in an engaging manner . . . it is as entertaining as it is informative."
—Greater Cleveland PC Users Group

"A lot of information is revealed in the Wang book that could be useful for hackers."
—Cybercriminology727 blog

"This book has some of the best information about protecting yourself, your family and your computer from illegal or malicious acts perpetrated electronically. It also contains very thoughtful and insightful paragraphs about the use of computers by individuals, groups, corporations and nations. And it is almost as compelling as a good novel."
—Kickstart News

"Offers a philosophical book about the implications of hacking."
—SciTech Book News

"Highly readable and highly informative. It won't turn you into a hacker. But it will prepare you against being attacked by one and will entertain and delight you along the way."
—IT Wales

"A technology classic that is as entertaining and irreverent as it is informative . . . "
—MacDirectory

"An excellent offbeat examination of hacking. . . I found the book fascinating, at times almost addicting."
—MacCompanion

"If you've used the computer, you need to know about common tricks and traps, and the latest edition covers them all."
—Midwest Book Review

"A surprisingly fun read on a serious topic."
—Business in Vancouver

"Guides us nicely through the computer and internet underworld and as such it's a fairly good guide to a lot of the possible things that can go wrong."
—Mstation

"I would recommend it for anyone that wants an entertaining overview of computers and criminals."
—WindowsSecurity.com

"It's similar to reading about the seamy underbelly of your local city . . . you know it's there, you don't condone it, but you have a hard time averting your eyes when you drive by."
—Duffbert's Random Musings

"Although this book is not for the non-technical small business owner/manager, it could be VERY useful for the IT consultant serving the needs of small businesses and who needs a better understanding of security and the world of hackers."
—Small Business News

Long Description

National bestseller with over 175,000 copies sold! If you thought hacking was just about mischief-makers hunched over computers in the basement, think again. As seasoned author Wallace Wang explains, hacking can also mean questioning the status quo, looking for your own truths, and never accepting at face value anything authorities say or do. The completely revised fourth edition of this offbeat, non-technical book examines what hackers do, how they do it, and how you can protect yourself. Written in the same informative, irreverent, and entertaining style that made the first three editions hugely successful," Steal This Computer Book 4.0" will expand your mind and raise your eyebrows. New chapters discuss the hacker mentality, social engineering and lock picking, exploiting P2P file-sharing networks, and how people manipulate search engines and pop-up ads to obtain and use personal information. Wang also takes issue with the media for "hacking" the news and presenting the public with self-serving stories of questionable accuracy. Inside, you'll discover: How to manage and fight spam and spyware How Trojan horse programs and rootkits work, and how to defend against them How hackers steal software and defeat copy-protection mechanisms How to tell if 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 once they get inside How corporations use hacker techniques to infect your computer and invade your privacy How you can lock down your computer to protect your data and your personal information using free programs included on the book's CD If you ve ever logged onto awebsite, conducted an online transaction, sent or received email, used a networked computer, or even watched the evening news, you may have already been tricked, tracked, hacked, and manipulated. As the saying goes, just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you. And, as Wallace Wang reveals, they probably are. The companion CD contains hundreds of megabytes of 100% FREE hacking and security-related programs, like keyloggers, spyware stoppers, port blockers, IP scanners, Trojan horse detectors, and much, much more. CD compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Review Quote

"A terrific guide...made enjoyable by the sense that you're seeing how the bad guys operate. But beyond this excitement, the book has immediate value." --SD Times

Details