Rootkits for Dummies (For Dummies (Computers)) [Paperback]

Larry Stevenson (Author), Nancy Altholz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 30, 2007 | ISBN-10: 0471917109 | ISBN-13: 978-0471917106

A rootkit is a type of malicious software that gives the hacker "root" or administrator access to your network. They are activated before your system's operating system has completely booted up, making them extremely difficult to detect. Rootkits allow hackers to install hidden files, processes, and hidden user accounts. Hackers can use them to open back doors in order to intercept data from terminals, connections, and keyboards. A rootkit hacker can gain access to your systems and stay there for years, completely undetected.

Learn from respected security experts and Microsoft Security MVPs how to recognize rootkits, get rid of them, and manage damage control.

Accompanying the book is a value-packed companion CD offering a unique suite of tools to help administrators and users detect rootkit problems, conduct forensic analysis, and make quick security fixes.

Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Recognize rootkits and plan your counter-attack

Here's how to root out this malicious software and manage damage control

Rootkits are diabolical, virtually invisible ways for someone to hijack your data, computer, or worse — your entire network. But never fear — this book reveals their ugly secrets and shows you exactly how to identify them, yank them out, repair the damage they've done, and set up defenses to keep new ones from taking root in your system.

Discover how to

• Identify types of rootkits
• Keep your computer clean
• Root out invasive software
• Protect your system with regular updates
• Plan for recovery
• Recognize when you have to start over

All on the bonus CD-Rom

CD includes

• Anti-malware utilities and scanners
• Backup and imaging applications
• System analysis programs
• Rootkit-detection-and-removal applications
• Password protectors and generators

For details and complete system requirements, see the CD-ROM appendix

About the Author

Larry Stevenson is a veteran security consultant and instructor.

Nancy Altholz is a Microsoft Security MVP and security expert. Both are associated with CastleCops.com, a resource for security professionals.

Product Details

• Paperback: 380 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies (January 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471917109
• ISBN-13: 978-0471917106
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 0.9 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #888,833 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Essential Book to Have -- Even if You Know Next to Nothing!, March 26, 2007

By 

mekongdelta69 "Gamewarden" (Queens, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rootkits for Dummies (For Dummies (Computers)) (Paperback)

THE most comprehensive of any of the Rootkit/Spyware/Malware/etc. books out there on the market. This book has so much info that a review of all of it would probably be as long (and hopefully) informative as the book itself. If you want to get an idea of how large the scope is of this book, click on the Table of Contents section under the picture of the book (and even that just skims the surface), because it doesn't show you all the individual topics covered in each chapter (which is extensive).

You don't have to be a 'techie' to get this (although parts of the book are aimed at 'techies'). All you need is a very basic knowledge of PCs (i.e. How to boot up!). This book (and very helpful CD) will walk you, step-by-step through EVERYTHING you need to know to protect your PC.
It contains URL's to technical sites if you happen to get stuck and explanations of how to back out of certain operations if you don't feel comfortable doing something before asking a 'tech' online.

Space constraints in Amazon don't allow me to continue very much further, but if your budget only allows for one book of this type, I urge you to get this one. I guarantee you won't be sorry and you will have learned an amazing amount of things which can harm your PC's (and by extension, YOUR) privacy and security (and exactly how to defend against them) in this online world...

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of Dummies, March 22, 2007

By 

D. Hoover "Hoov" (Mikado, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rootkits for Dummies (For Dummies (Computers)) (Paperback)

If the information contained in the book is for dummies alone, then there are a lot of us. This book starts with the basics, and walks you all the way to what experts should know. I think even experts would find this book useful for reference. If you don't know what a rootkit is when you buy this book, you will know it, and be able to skin and cook the rootkit by the time you are done. You can learn as little or as much as you want, but your computer will be safer no matter how much you learn.

Practical applications are referenced, along with URL's where you can find out more information, get more help, or just plain learn because you want to.

A definite keeper.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars When Google Searches bring Trojans Bearing Gifts., December 11, 2007

By 

B. W. Goff "An open mind" (Columbia, SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rootkits for Dummies (For Dummies (Computers)) (Paperback)

If you have ever been on line, and had your computer taken over by a bogus spyware program, that throws a red screen of death, with a radioactive waster warning symbols, tells you they have done a systems scan and found loads of illegal porn that could ruin your family and social life and offers to save you for a mere $49.50, you should appreciate this book. So save some money, get this book and add some more bricks into the firewall and other programs that you currently use to protect and if necessary regain control of your system.

Larry Stevenson and Nancy Altholz have written a great reference book and provided readers with load of valuable information for preventing Malware from infecting your system, more important how to identify an infection and finally how to remove those nasty little Trojans and other gremlins from your system. All this information will hopefully prevent you from having to erase your hard drive, reload WindowsXP and all of your software. Even if you have to do this dreaded last resort, they offer some great information of how to get it done. The book includes a CD-ROM with Security first aid tools that include Anti-malware utilities and scanners, Backup and imaging applications, System analysis programs, Rootkit-detection-and-removal applications; it also includes password protectors and generators.

As our computer systems have developed, and we are using high speed DSL Connections to get online, the Blackhat Hackers have also developed their capabilities. I got hit with a Trojan while doing some Google research on Social Security information, so these idiots are out there, just about everywhere. I use a Norton Firewall, Norton Internet Security, Spybot S&D, Lavasoft's Ad_Aware and can still get zapped by a Rootkit. I was doing E-Mails and on line back in 1984, long before Al Gore even thought he invented it, so I have had a few decades of experience. I still learned more than a couple of things about dealing with Rootkits from this great reference. Check out CastleCops forum and website for some further information.