Customer Reviews

Information Warfare: Second Edition

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The importance of the contents of this book cannot be overstated. It is a collection of articles written by various experts in the field, which works well as it gives the reader a balanced view. Space prohibits a thorough review, so a list of some important highlights in the book is in order: 1. The discussion on applications of biotronics: bacteria that can detect single molecules of chemical and biological agents. 2. High-power radio frequency (HERF) weapons and their effects on biological systems. 3. The use of superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDS) to measure the magnetic neural activity of the brain. 4. The discussion on "assassination politics". 5. Cognitive maps used to visualize belief systems about information warfare. 6. The afterward of the book, which is the best part actually, for the reason that the author embraces an optimistic view of the future of the information age. He lists the "Ten Commandments" of computer ethics which should be followed by all individuals.

I am still waiting for a book that connects the macrocosmic threats to the microcosmic implementations in a technically sound fashion. This is not such a book. The author's choice of "luminaries" to interview was disappointing for its omissions as well as for its inclusions. Indeed, an architect of several successful products is placed on equal footing with a middling government worker whose life achievement consists of cutting and pasting others' e-mails, while a rider of others' coattails is equated with a distinguished researcher on the vanguard of anti-virus technology. Technologists with little or no direct experience in either the politics or the technology simply expounded their own ill-structured opinions and made sure to pepper them with the phrase "information warfare" so they would fit. I get the feeling that Mr. Schwartau merely rummaged through a list of contributors to the latest lightweight system admin conference and solicited written input from every warm body who could find ten minutes to return his phone call and another twenty minutes to whip up a vainglorious, name-dropping diatribe.

I continue to believe this is one of the best in class original references. Winn, Peter Black (RIP) and I were among the first to warn of electronic Pearl Harbors, with Winn being the most knowledeable and the only one invited to brief Congress, where it went in one ear and out the others.

Winn Schwartau was one of the first, along with Peter Black (RIP), to warn Congress and the business world that digital systems would be extremely vulnerable. No one listened.

This book is still in my library. It is the non-fiction "first book" in this area.

For the fictional version that will stun with its surprise ending:
Terminal Compromise

For the best movie showing how easy it is to bring a society down:
Live Free or Die Hard (Full Screen Edition)

Other Hacker Books:
The Second Self: Computers and the Human Spirit , Twentieth Anniversary Edition
Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution
The Hacker Crackdown: Law And Disorder On The Electronic Frontier
The Art of Deception: Controlling the Human Element of Security

Other Hacker DVD:
Hackers
Hackers - Wizards of the Electronic Age

Winn Schwartau was one of the first, along with Peter Black (RIP), to warn Congress and the business world that digital systems would be extremely vulnerable. No one listened.

This book is still in my library. It is the non-fiction "first book" in this area.

For the fictional version that will stun with its surprise ending:
Terminal Compromise

Author covers a wide range of concerns and techniques for the information warfare reader. Breaks attacks and defenses into three categories, personal, corporate, and global. Some introduction to the National Information Infrastructure (NII) is given. Readable and interesting

This book gives people a great view on what might be possible, and what might be done against it, with computers. Sometimes it is, in my humble oppinion, a bit to deep. But over all a great book Especially for those who are no computer security person.

ALOT OF WHAT SCHWARTU IS TALKING ABOUT IN THIS BOOK IS POSSIBLE. SOME OF THE COMPANIES SECURITY IN THE UNITED STATES IS SOMEWHAT WEAK, BUT IMPROVING. SOME OF THE COMPANIES I HAVE WORKED FOR WOULD FLUNK IN THEIR SECURITY MEASURES. THE AUTHOR IS CORRECT ON HOW EASY IT IS TO GET INFORMATION FROM THE USA, FOR EXAMPLE THE SITUATION WITH CHINA ON THE NUCLEAR TECH. SECRETS THAT THEY NOW POSES IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WHAT WINN SCHWARTAU IS TALKING ABOUT. AND THE S.S.AGENTS WHOS NAMES WERE POSTED ON THE WEB IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE

Very informative, a great insight as to what is possible. This should make many people more aware of the need for some sort of security on their systems.

Full of detail