Product Description
This offbeat, non-technical book examines what hackers do, how they do it, and how readers can protect themselves. Informative, irreverent, and entertaining, the completely revised fourth edition of Steal This Computer Book contains new chapters that discuss the hacker mentality, lock picking, exploiting P2P file sharing networks, and how people manipulate search engines and pop-up ads. Includes a CD with hundreds of megabytes of hacking and security-related programs that tie in to each chapter in the book.

Amazon.com Review
If ever a book on cyberculture wore a fedora and trench coat and leaned against a lamppost on a foggy street, this is the one. It is an unabashed look at the dark side of the Net--the stuff many other books gloss over. It's hard-edged, wisecracking, and often quite cynical as it pours over the reality of online scams, illegal activities, and simple annoyances.

Wang's stated goal is to open the reader's eyes about what's really there. He shows what's being done, how it's being done, and how to avoid problems or even strike back. He begins with a chapter about the news media, and his message is that no source is to be trusted completely. He examines issues important to Internet users: the cost of getting computerized (with tips on how to find the real bargains), who is using the Internet as a source of hate information, and how your privacy can be invaded and protected.

He shows you the secrets of malicious hackers and others and how some of them attack computer systems without the ethical mindset typical of the original, idealistic hackers. Wang shows you how you can set up your defenses against such an onslaught, discussing how to protect yourself and your kids from online stalkers and how online con games work.

Wang never claims that the Internet is the electronic den of darkness that the pop media make it out to be. But he makes it clear that something this big has its lowlights--it's own "net noir." His messages are "know your enemy" and "be careful who you trust," an ideology verified by the examples he provides. --Elizabeth Lewis

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 3.0 based on 48 reviews)

Expand your web insights!

I love this book, however if you're a know-it-all on computers and the internet in general, then maybe not for you. The strength of this manuscript comes in the form of teaching everyday users about the complexities of the computer world and what goes on behind the scenes. We all have to start somewhere to gain this type of information, and this is a fantastic book to begin down that path. Very highly recommended! Steal this computer book!!
March 11, 2008

This Book Is Basic. But very informative.

If you are looking to hack this book is for you. I found that visual basic is a good programming language. C++,Python,Java, and many more langs will have hacks. Its up to you to learn how to write them. You must learn the programming language before you start looking at hacking, because other wise you are wasting your time.Many hackers are self driven and want to create programs and discover flaws in programs. It is my personal experience that you will not find every thing you want to know from one book. If you are seriously into Networking and Security i sugeset learning from some one who will teach you and offers classes on it (this would be hands on learning) EcCouncil is a great reference and will teach you a lot.
August 26, 2007

Basic information

It's not bad, it just too basic. For some reason I had the expectation that it would be a more deep book about hacking.
January 04, 2007

Good overview

Good overview of network security from a very social perspective. If you are looking for tools based methodology this book misses the mark.

If you are interested in social engineering and social trends of hacking, this is right on.

I felt the book started off fairly strong but started to decline as the focus went more and more into social impacts of hacktivism.

December 13, 2006

Provides Concise Details

This book provides some pretty concise details for 370 pages. It's very pratical and entertaining to read. The writing style gives you a feeling of mysteriousness. However, the writer's insights are disputable; you may not agree with all of the comments he has on things. Of course that doesn't change the fact this book provides a lot of details on several internet topics one little book.
September 22, 2006

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