Customer Reviews

Stealing the Network: How to Own a Continent

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I recently read and reviewed Stealing The Network - How to Own the Box (STN) by Syngress Publishing. Great read. When I saw there was a follow-up titled Stealing The Network - How to Own a Continent (STC), I had to read it too. Once again, a great read for computer and security people.

Much like STN, STC is a series of fictional episodes involving system attacks and exploits. The episodes aren't real, but the techniques and concepts outlined are definitely true to life. The main difference between the two is that STC is a cohesive series of attacks coordinated by a mysterious person in the background who wants to disrupt a continent and make a huge financial score. So while each story in STN was a stand-alone chapter, STC is more like a mystery techno-thriller that is light on plot but heavy on technical detail.

In addition to learning about attacks and how they can occur (which you can get in just about any security book), STC once again adds the color of the attacker's personality into the equation... Why they do it, what they stand to gain, and what level of effort they are willing to expend to gain their prize. I feel that most security departments fall flat in this area. They can configure and set up proper security "by the book", but they are unable to think like a cracker and anticipate the unexpected. That's probably where this book (actually, both books) adds the most value to the collection of security knowledge and wisdom that's available on the technical bookshelves today.

If you're looking for a techno-thriller novel that reads like Tom Clancy, this isn't your book. But if you're looking for solid security information told in a colorful and unusual manner that will cause you to question your own security awareness, you found what you're looking for...

I have read several books featuring Ryan Russell (Stealing the Network, Hackproofing Your Network, among others), Joe Grand (Stealing the Network, Hardware Hacking), and Russ Rogers (WarDriving: Drive Detect, Defend, Security Assessment: Case Studies for Implementing the NSA IAM) and have never been disappointed. This book was no exception. The story is presented in an easy to read style and the technical details are accurate and well presented.

I would recommend this book for anyone responsible for securing their networks, anyone interested in information security or vulnerability exploitation, and anyone who enjoys reading a good story. It's just a fun read.

I read a lot of technical books and also a lot of spy books. This mashed both of my favorite types of books. The authors who are hackers themselves did a great job of creating a story. I would recommend, and have recommended this book to a lot of people.

Let me start by saying that, for the most part, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The individual chapters were entertaining, educational, and in general very well written. Where my problem with the book lies is in how they tried to string it together as a book. There is a running plot line that involves the main character and the law that basically just falls apart two thirds of the way through the book. Furthermore, how everything was tied up (or, rather, wasn't) in the end was very poorly done IMO. This is really the main reason I subtracted two stars. It's impossible to discuss particulars w/o including spoilers, so I won't, but I honestly felt ripped off after turning the last page. Suffice it to say that the book would have been much better if it had ended 10 pages earlier.

That aside, this book is easily as good as "Box" and is a very worthwhile read -- just don't get involved in the story line, and don't expect any sort of payoff at the end.

Through a series of fictional system attacks and exploits Stealing the Network: How To Own a Continent provides a basic education in network security. More than just what can happen, it details each attack so you learn the purpose of the attack as well as how it is carried out. Each of the chapters provides the fictional account of an individual who takes on a single network attack. What the reader soon discovers is that it is actually a carefully orchestrated chain of attacks with a larger purpose in mind.

One of the things I really liked about the book is that it is not just a dry security book turned into a more interesting novel but it gives the reader a look at the personalities of those who get involved in these things. Each of the attacks involves real tools that can be downloaded or purchased off the Internet as well as real techniques. If you want to know how an attacker thinks and how far they will go to achieve their goals as well as some of the common techniques you can't go wrong with Stealing the Network: How to Own a Continent.

I've read just about every "hacker" and security book worth reading over the past few years, and honestly, most of them really were not worth reading. But, this book is truly unique and is well worth your time to read. The security industry is incredibly complex; technically, socially, and ethically; and this book reflects that. There are many very talented (and WAY TOO MANY not so talented) people on the right, the wrong, and the in between of cyber security. The landscape of the internet changes almost every minute. This book manages to communicate the technical and social intracicies at the same time through a fairly compelling story that also encompasses very challenging, technical information. This really is a must read for anyone involved with the security community.

I read the first book in this series, and was both excited/skpetical when I saw their was a sequel coming out. I am often disapointed with sequels to books or movies, because it often seems like the creators rush out something new to try and make some quick $$. This is one of the very rare ocassions where as much as I liked the first, I like the second even better. The authors of this edition have raised the bar by interconnecting a series of short stories into a single, intriguing narrative. What's really impressive is the they accomplish this while still teaching you about network security and vulnerabilities. The details of the hacks while far-fetched in places are technically accurate and incredibly timely. As much as I liked the stories and the hacks, my favorite part of the book is actually an appendix that transcribes a series of e-mail threads amongst the authors as they wrote the book. It's rather intersesting to see the likes of Fyodor, Kevin Mitnick, Tim Mullen, Jay Beale, etc. argue about the plot, joke around, etc. This book presents an intriguing look into the minds and tactics of criminal hackers and info. sec professionals.

Well, you can make a novel out of it.

Which is precisely what the folks at Syngress Publishing have done. The MO here is to gather a group of experts in the 'hacking' field. Then, have them each write a chapter that focuses in on their sub-area of expertise. Finally tie all the chapters together with an overriding thread, in this case an uber-geek villian looking to make a final score.

And it works quite well. If you are going to pull this off, then there is a balance between the techno-speak portions and the traditional elements of a novel (plot, characterization, etc). Granted, given this books target audience, it can pile on plenty of the technology and be just fine. But you can't igonre the story.

Most of the contributing authors are able to hold up the 'story' side as well as the 'tech' side. Some do not, and this is why I gave it 4 stars. In particular, one chapter so muddles the character motivations, plot lines, and timeline that the novel is not quite able to recover with a wholy satisfying ending.

I never expected Dickens, though. I did hope to broaden my knowledge of hacking - the hows and whys while being entertained. And 'How to own a continent' delivers the goods in a unique and fresh way. Kudos, and thanks.

How to Own a Continent is the first Stealing the Network book I have read and although it kept me on the edge of my seat I was displeased with the ending. The book uses real tools and real methods on how these "hacks" occur but the end just leaves you hanging with no closure. While reading the book you think there is no better book for hacking theory and what it takes to pull hard hacks. But this book does leave you with a little bit of a bad taste in your mouth. Forthe most part the book was great but the ending was lacking.

What does any good book have to have to rivet a reader and not let them go? A good plot. Throw in the mob, strippers, assassinations, sex, money laundering, and conspiracy and what do you have? A tawdry, steamy Harold Robbins novel. Throw in computer hackers, war-driving, denial of service attacks, blackmail, social engineering, keystroke loggers, and rooms full of computer geeks? You have possibly the best book written in this post 9/11 world that deals with how teams of individuals, or even individuals who do not know they are working alone, bringing havoc to the financial markets of Africa, stealing millions of dollars in the process. No this is not a Tom Clancy book. His books, while I love them, plod along too much for the target audience of "Stealing The Network - How To Own A Continent" (FX et al, Syngress Press, 2004, 432 Pages).

From the moment I opened the book, I did not want to put it down. Following on the heels of Stealing The Network - How to Own the Box, this book does not waste any time in capturing the readers attention and imagination, showing how vulnerable we all really are in a wired (or even wireless world), and how little we can do about it if network and security administrators do not do their jobs. It shows how things can be prevented or detected if even one bright individual is willing to step up and call attention to problems.

I am really afraid to go into too much plot detail because it really would spoil the read, and far be it for me to tell the potential reader that "Rosebud is a sled". But all you need to know that because Kevin Mitnick was involved in the publication of this book, the scenarios and stories that are laid out and unfold may be more real than you could imagine (or even fear).

If you are a "geek", you will thrill at the depth and breadth of technologies covered in this book. If you are a casual reader, you will love the story presented. You do not have to be a technical person to appreciate the taut story-telling.

Who Should Read This Book?

Anybody and everybody who has even a passing interest in how technology and social engineering can be used to conspire to bring down a company, a country or even a continent.

Word of Advice

Next time you go to the hospital for surgery, call and make sure your blood type is correct (IF you have that luxury).

Scorecard

Double Eagle on a LONGGG par 5