Robert Slade's Guide to Computer Viruses: How to avoid them, how to get rid of them, and how to get help [Paperback]

Robert Slade (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0387946632 | ISBN-13: 978-0387946634 | Publication Date: April 25, 1996 | Edition: 2nd

This book gives a thorough explanation of what computer viruses are, how they work, and how much computer users should worry about them. It is written to apply to all systems: micro, network, and mainframe and for both professional managers of computing systems and users of personal computers of all types, PCs, Macintoshes, and others. Robert Slade presents details of many of the most virulent of the known viruses and of the damage that they have done, as well as providing quidelines and recommendations to protect systems from infection. In addition, the book provides the widest possible range of reviews of the major anti-virus software packages available as well as many of the books on viruses. Contact addresses, telephone numbers, and electronic mail addresses are also given. In the event of a suspected virus infection, this book is the one that users will reach for! Included with the book is a diskette containing both four antiviral pieces of software for the PC and Macintosh and the complete virus catalog as produced by the Virus Test Centre at the University of Hamburg.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Robert Slade is one of the foremost experts in the field of virus research. He regularly posts messages in the comp.virus newsgroup and has been instrumental in helping to sort out much of the confusion and misinformation surrounding self-replicating programs. This guide to computer viruses is the most clear and comprehensive text available on the subject. In addition to his background, history, and theory of computer viruses, Slade focuses on their practical elimination. The appendices include an informative FAQ, comparative reviews of the major--and some of the minor--anti-virus software, and a terrific glossary. Slade is a crusader for the thoughtful dissemination of the complexities of computer viruses and the dispelling of dangerous rumors. For those who are looking to resolve an immediate viral attack on their system, turn to chapter 2, "A Beginner's Panic Guide to Viral Programs." He also includes a companion disk with his favorite public domain anti-virus software for both the Macintosh and the PC.

Product Details

• Paperback: 422 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 2nd edition (April 25, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0387946632
• ISBN-13: 978-0387946634
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 1.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,078,307 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I should have known better ..., October 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Robert Slade's Guide to Computer Viruses: How to avoid them, how to get rid of them, and how to get help (Paperback)

... than to look to this book for answers to today's virus problems. I had hoped it would provide some useful background information on viruses and "other than generic" strategies for protecting personal computing equipment, but no such luck. I can not even imagine what is found within was helpful when the book was brand new, and it certainly is not now. The writing is discouragingly stilted, but does make for good bedtime reading. It'll put you right to sleep!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Terrible book, April 8, 2008

By 

Katie Barlow "Katie Barlow" (NY, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Robert Slade's Guide to Computer Viruses: How to avoid them, how to get rid of them, and how to get help (Paperback)

One of the worst books written.
Robert Slade is a hypercritical book reviewer.
I thought that his book would be decent.

But it is a lousy book.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Shallow and BORING!, January 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Robert Slade's Guide to Computer Viruses: How to avoid them, how to get rid of them, and how to get help (Paperback)

What boring, superficial stuff! I could pick up better and more interesting information about viruses by reading the back of Norton's software package than I could hanging around this deadbeat for a week!