Computer-Related Risks [Paperback]

Peter G. Neumann (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 020155805X | ISBN-13: 978-0201558050 | Publication Date: October 28, 1994 | Edition: 1

This fascinating and useful book by noted expert Peter Neumann contains accounts of mishaps, failures, and other disasters attributed to computers. Computer-based systems are everywhere in our lives, from the smallest radio components to the largest aerospace installations; and while computers can make our lives easier, they can also fail, and the people using them can make errors-causing inconvenience or even catastrophe. Neumann characterizes different kinds of computer-related risks, discusses risk causes and effects, and considers their implications. He also suggests ways to minimize such risks in the future. Featured are sections on reliability and safety problems, security vulnerabilities, privacy, and global systems.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Computer-Related Risks is much more than a collection of computer mishaps; it is a serious, technically oriented book written by one of the world's leading experts on computer risks. Computer-Related Risks summarizes many real events involving computer technologies and the people who depend on those technologies, with widely ranging caused and effects. It considers problems attributable to hardware, software, people, and natural causes. Examples include disasters (such as the Black Hawk helicopter and Iranian Airbus shootdowns, the Exxon Valdez, and various transportation accidents); malicious hacker attacks; outages of telephone systems ad computer networks; financial losses; and many other strange happenstances (squirrels downing power grids, and April Fool's Day pranks). Computer-Related Risks addresses problems involving reliability, safety, security, privacy, and human well-being. It includes analyses of why these cases happened and discussions of what might be done to avoid recurrences of similar events. It is readable by technologists as well as by people merely interested in the uses and limits of technology. It is must reading for anyone with even a remote involvement with computers and communications -- which today means almost everyone! -- Midwest Book Review

From the Back Cover

"This sobering description of many computer-related failures throughout our world deflates the hype and hubris of the industry. Peter Neumann analyzes the failure modes, recommends sequences for prevention and ends his unique book with some broadening reflections on the future."

--Ralph Nader, Consumer Advocate

This book is much more than a collection of computer mishaps; it is a serious, technically oriented book written by one of the world's leading experts on computer risks. The book summarizes many real events involving computer technologies and the people who depend on those technologies, with widely ranging causes and effects. It considers problems attributable to hardware, software, people, and natural causes. Examples include disasters (such as the Black Hawk helicopter and Iranian Airbus shootdowns, the Exxon Valdez, and various transportation accidents); malicious hacker attacks; outages of telephone systems and computer networks; financial losses; and many other strange happenstances (squirrels downing power grids, and April Fool's Day pranks).

Computer-Related Risks addresses problems involving reliability, safety, security, privacy, and human well-being. It includes analyses of why these cases happened and discussions of what might be done to avoid recurrences of similar events. It is readable by technologists as well as by people merely interested in the uses and limits of technology. It is must reading for anyone with even a remote involvement with computers and communications--which today means almost everyone.

Computer-Related Risks:

• Presents comprehensive coverage of many different types of risks
• Provides an essential system-oriented perspective
• Shows how technology can affect your life--whether you like it or not!

020155805XB04062001

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional; 1 edition (October 28, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 020155805X
• ISBN-13: 978-0201558050
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #605,162 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The original "canary in the coal" mine concerning the dangers that universal use of computers will generate, June 12, 2008

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Computer-Related Risks (Paperback)

This book was my first real introduction to the area of computer security. In it, Neumann set down a complete set of the problems that were appearing in the (mis)use of computers. Published in 1995, it was certainly an eye opener to the dangers of being lax in the use of computers. It was a bit scary when I read it, although at the time, I was optimistic that the danger could be managed.
However, my position since then has changed in the negative sense. In rereading this book, it is clear that the dangers are the same and are greater in both breadth and depth. This book was written before the explosive growth of the Internet has turned nearly every computer into a potential node in an evil botnet. Also, the use of computers in the management of the modern world has dramatically expanded, increasing the possible ways in which danger can make an appearance.
In looking through the risks, there is not a single one that has disappeared rather than increased in the level of the danger. Some examples are e-mail spoofs, insider misuse of data, denial of service attacks, threats to privacy, viruses and other malware, security vulnerabilities, computer errors in election results and financial fraud. And so it goes. If you are interested in looking back and seeing how little has changed in terms of the risks inherent with computer use, then read this book. It was and remains the original "canary in the coal" mine concerning the dangers that universal use of computers will generate.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Adds a new dimension to the subject, November 20, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Computer-Related Risks (Paperback)

This book is manages to be entertaining while discussing an important subject. The author's experience as a moderator of the risks forum provided him with authoritative knowledge, which is put to good use. The reading can light at times when the subject is catatrophic. Nevertheless, once you read this book, you'll understand that it's us - humans - that are at the center of all problems.

3 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Bible--For the Real Professionals, April 7, 2000

By 

Robert D. Steele (Oakton, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Computer-Related Risks (Paperback)

Neumann, founder and moderator of the Internet Risk Forum, is the pope of the legitimate computer risks community. This is the bible.