Complete Hackers Handbook PB [Paperback]

Dr K. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 28, 2002

Dr. K takes hacking from its beginning in the computer networks of the early 80's to the increasingly complex hacking of the 21st century.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

K is an ex-CIA sniper who does not want to reveal his identity until after his book is published. June Colbert is a writer living in New York, New York.

has written for the guitar magazine

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Carlton Books; Revised edition edition (October 28, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1842227246
• ISBN-13: 978-1842227244
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,437,151 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Dont buy this book!, November 5, 2000

By 

"raphaelkorn" (heaven, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Hacker's Handbook : Everything You Need to Know About Hacking in the Age of the Web (Paperback)

Well, what can I say? This is the worst book on the topic of computer hacking ever written. I coulda written a better book than that by far, so this is a complete waste of money. Go out there and read some textfiles, at uha1.com, blacksun.box.sk, and guide.box.sk, neworder.box.sk, etc. and screw this book. I had great expectations and I really couldnt get into the style, the structure, or the actual content. It is mostly at a very low and outdated level with the majority of the info basic and useless. The few interesting parts such as trust relationships, how CGI vulnerabilities are found, IP Spoofing, etc. are described vaguely and with a lack of understanding. This book is impractical and if you have the time, go out there and read some textfiles, they're way better. Also check out Hacking Exposed, Maximum Security, Maximum Linux Security, and Practical Unix and Internet Security. Dont buy this book.

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Everything You Need To Know? Not Quite., June 4, 2001

By 

turtlex "turtlex" (PA USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Complete Hacker's Handbook : Everything You Need to Know About Hacking in the Age of the Web (Paperback)

I'm a Unix System Admin, therefore, as you might guess, I have a real and tangible reason to be interested in hackers. Protecting information and my servers is part of my job.

I also have a genuine interest in the entire hacker/cracker field ( yes, these are two very different things ) and I've read a lot of books on the subject - everything from the textbook system guides, to the Kevin Mitnick great-hacker-chase. There are hackers I admire, those with a true hacker ethic. There are also crackers who I think are in it for themselves and themselves alone - that's not what the whole "open source" community is all about...but I digress. Sorry.

With regards to this book, it is mostly an overview. There is a lot of cursory infomation and this information is available most anywhere on the net, all you have to do is look. That's the beauty about the internet - the information is out there, check any search engine. This book does not give any great insight or additional value to what you might find trolling the user groups or informational web-sites.

On the other hand - the information is already gathered for you and in book form. That's a plus.

For those "script kiddies" out there - SORRY. This book is definitely NOT a "how to".

It's also just a little arrogant to indicate that this 192 page book is "everything" you need to know about hacking. That's impossible. Any hacker, or computer professional, will tell you that from the start. The IT/Information Technology field is constantly growing and changing. Information is outdated the second it is published. Security holes are plugged and discovered on a daily basis.

Many of that hacks listed here have already been patched and addressed.

There is some good information here - I believe another reviewer indicated this is a good book for management. I'd have to agree. It's great to give you a starting place, a few buzz words and some concrete starting position information.

If you really want to be a computer professional, if you need to protect your server against hackers - this is NOT the book for you.

This book is for those who'd like an overview - just slightly more technical than an average computer industry article.

There are some really wonderful "computer security" and "network security" books available here at Amazon. If you have some interest in this field - start with some of the "Maximum Security" series of books.

Do I regret buying this book? Ultimately, No. I've got a great deal of interest in this subject and it's always good to know the kinds of books that are "out there".

Consider it a good purchase as an introduction to the hacking world. You'll definitely gain some insight. It is interesting, if you have the basic curiosity. For the management types, it will give you the starting-pad and buzz-words you need to speak to your Sys Admins about security.

Best Regards, turtlex

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars hmmm good effort, November 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Hacker's Handbook : Everything You Need to Know About Hacking in the Age of the Web (Paperback)

This was a good effort, but there are more technical books out there on the markey now, and this would have been great five years ago. Hacking, programming network security and all it encompasses can't be explained in one book. many researchers look toward the ACM papers for technical explanations.

When Computer Hacking: Detection and Protection, came out I loved it. It shone some light of the mystical journey a hacker takes, and gave away technical detail too.

This book by Dr.K is all too simular, and not enough technically, to produce a worthy 4/5 star book. Today's hacking books need to get up and close to the hacker and shed more technical light than a maths book!