Computer Forensics: An Essential Guide for Accountants, Lawyers, and Managers [Hardcover]

Michael Sheetz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 26, 2007 | ISBN-10: 0471789321 | ISBN-13: 978-0471789321 | Edition: 1

Would your company be prepared in the event of:

* Computer-driven espionage
* A devastating virus attack
* A hacker's unauthorized access
* A breach of data security?

As the sophistication of computer technology has grown, so has the rate of computer-related criminal activity. Subsequently, American corporations now lose billions of dollars a year to hacking, identity theft, and other computer attacks. More than ever, businesses and professionals responsible for the critical data of countless customers and employees need to anticipate and safeguard against computer intruders and attacks.

The first book to successfully speak to the nontechnical professional in the fields of business and law on the topic of computer crime, Computer Forensics: An Essential Guide for Accountants, Lawyers, and Managers provides valuable advice on the hidden difficulties that can blindside companies and result in damaging costs.

Written by industry expert Michael Sheetz, this important book provides readers with an honest look at the computer crimes that can annoy, interrupt--and devastate--a business. Readers are equipped not only with a solid understanding of how computers facilitate fraud and financial crime, but also how computers can be used to investigate, prosecute, and prevent these crimes.

If you want to know how to protect your company from computer crimes but have a limited technical background, this book is for you. Get Computer Forensics: An Essential Guide for Accountants, Lawyers, and Managers and get prepared.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Two chapters in Sheetz's book - "Computer Tools and the Forensic Examination" and "Computer as Tools for Evil" - are immensely enjoyable. The book's most important lesson is that digital evidence is fragile and ripe for inadvertent damage if improperly handled during an examination." (The Federal Lawyer, March/April 2008)

"In conclusion, Mr. Sheetz's new book is comprehensible, accessible and a valuable contribution to this increasingly important area of our jurisprudence and justice system." (New York Law Journal, May 29, 2007)

"This book is a well-written, useful resource on the topic of computer forensics, enhancing the reader's understanding of computer crime, how it occurs, and what to do about it." (Legal Information-Alert; 5/2007)

"Solid advice for those without a strong technical background who want to be aware of the threats lurking out there in cyberworld."  (PQ Magazine, November 2007)

From the Inside Flap

While the Internet, E-mailcommunication, and corporateintranet have made corporations from the Fortune 500 multinational to the mom-and-pop business more efficient and profitable, it has also made companies more vulnerable to financial fraud, identity theft, and unwanted intrusions. With an increasing number of crimes now committed using computers and computer networks, business professionals need to be well versed in the evidentiary, technical, and legal issues related to digital evidence.

A must-have reference for the nontechnical business professional and law enforcement official, Computer Forensics: An Essential Guide for Accountants, Lawyers, and Managers equips readers with an understanding of how computer crime occurs and what to do when it is found and suspected. Industry expert Michael Sheetz skillfully prepares professionals with solid coverage in order to identify, manage, and successfully exploit the computer forensic process.

Part One introduces readers to the science of computer forensics, providing a thorough understanding of the basic concepts that underpin this science. Part Two examines the role that computers play in the commission of financial crimes, frauds, and corporate espionage, with a look at the world of hacking, identity theft, and other incidents of computer crime. Finally, Part Three explains the role that computers play in uncovering, investigating, and prosecuting financial crimes, with a detailed examination of computer tools and the forensic examination.

Topics include:

• The History of Computer Forensics
• Attacks from the Inside
• Presenting Digital Evidence in Court
• The Hacker: Unauthorized Use and Trespassing

Exceptionally readable while avoiding technical language, this timely book provides professionals and law enforcement officials with little technical background with the methods and tips to enable them to readily recognize, investigate, and prosecute progressively sophisticated computer crimes.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (February 26, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471789321
• ISBN-13: 978-0471789321
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 0.7 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,317,883 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars introduces computers and what forensics means, April 26, 2007

By 

W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Computer Forensics: An Essential Guide for Accountants, Lawyers, and Managers (Hardcover)

This is a very quick introduction to the essentials of preserving evidence on a computer, in a way that can withstand adversarial scrutiny. In its own way, the book is a runthrough on the essence of how a computer works, as jargon-free as possible. Ranging from describing binary and hexadecimal notation to what a BIOS does.

Then there is a discussion of dangers: different types of attacks. Prominent are those coming over a wireless network. A symptom of many people nowadays having laptops and accustomed to going to some wireless hotspot like a coffeehouse and booting up. There are some pitfalls for the unwary. Malware is also covered in the text. Trojans, spyware, keystroke loggers and other demons.

However, perhaps by deliberate design by the author, there is only a broad discussion about how to preserve a computer. The text may be best as a rapid read, and you then need to progress to more advanced books.

5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative and easy to understand, November 23, 2010

By 

avidreader129 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Computer Forensics: An Essential Guide for Accountants, Lawyers, and Managers (Hardcover)

I bought this book to do some research for a paper I wrote for my computer science class on Computer Forensics. Unlike a couple of other books on this topic, I found Michael Sheetz has a way of writing about this difficult subject that even a novice can understand it, at least the basics anyway. I really enjoyed it and learned alot.