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(7 reviews)
Author: Steven Branigan
ISBN : 0321218736
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Format: PDF, EPUB
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Stories about hacking, stolen credit card numbers, computer viruses, andidentity theft are all around us, but what do they really mean to us? The goal ofthis book, quite simply, is to help educate people on the issues with high-techcrimes, to help answer that question. The goal being not to only talk aboutthese issues, but understand them.There are many books on the market that explain how hackers exploitcomputer and networks. They explain the details of the exploits and methodsto protect against them, and as such are targeted for those with strong technicalknowledge. That is *not* the case here. Readers will not learn the intricacies ofthe latest hacking attack. Readers will learn how hackers use these exploits, whythey use them, and in some cases how they get caught.With Branigan's background as a sworn law-enforcement officer (cop), systemadministrator (geek), computer programmer (geek), Internet security consultant(geek with tie), and network security researcher (geek in shorts), he offers aunique perspective to help people better understand the many issues with hightechcrime and how they might be affected.
Direct download links available for Free High-Tech Crimes Revealed: Cyberwar Stories from the Digital Front [Paperback]
- Paperback: 448 pages
- Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional; 1 edition (September 6, 2004)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0321218736
- ISBN-13: 978-0321218735
- Product Dimensions: 1 x 5.8 x 8.9 inches
- Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Free High-Tech Crimes Revealed: Cyberwar Stories from the Digital Front
Prior to 'High-Tech Crimes Revealed' (HTCR) I read and reviewed 'Stealing the Network: How to Own a Continent' (HTOAC). While HTOAC is fictional and written almost exclusively from the point of view of the 'hacker,' HTCR is mostly true and written from the law enforcement perspective. On the strength of the cases described in the first half of the book, I recommend HTCR as an introduction to the mindset needed to pursue and prosecute cyber criminals.
Author Steve Branigan brings a unique perspective to his book. In 1986-7 Branigan was a patrolman in the Seaside Heights Police Department, but three years later he investigated telecom incidents for Bell Communications Research. Later work at Lucent and Bell Labs prepared him for co-founding Lumeta in 2000. His experience with telecom security differentiates the book from those who spend more time on Internet-centric crimes.
I found the first half of the book more helpful than the second half, particularly when legal and criminal concepts are introduced in the context of security investigations. Ch 1 offers insight into drafting search warrants when pursuing a rogue insider. Ch 2 explains subpoenas and executing search warrants. Ch 3 discusses options at trial, like plea bargains. Ch 4 outlines an undercover sting and the role of confidential informants. Ch 5 talks about identity theft and ch 6 describes the author's role in interviewing two 'hackers.'
The first half of the book uses true stories to make its points, but the second shifts more to opinions with short stories added for interest. I skimmed these later chapters as they seemed more appropriate for those without security and forensic experience.
A few excerpts from the book are quote worthy.
Few things really change in human society. As computers become more ubiquitous, the criminal elements of society find ways to use them for profit. There is also the teen vandal/joyrider element as well. Young people, traditionally males, have always embarked on "adventures" for thrills and to prove that they can do it. The difference when they use computers is that the consequences are orders of magnitude greater. Formerly, when a young person threw a rock through a window to be obnoxious, the damage was restricted to the window. Now, if a young hacker writes a particularly virulent computer virus, it can lead to worldwide costs in the billions.
The legal systems of the world are struggling to keep up with the technological advancement. The definitions of some fundamental principles of law have had to be substantially modified so that certain actions can be considered a crime. Consider the definition of trespassing. Before computers were ubiquitous, it was the act of physically moving to locations declared off-limits. Now, it also includes the virtual entry into a computer system.
In this book, case histories covering the range of computer "incidents" are covered. Some of them are the computer equivalent of a joyride, where a hacker penetrates a system just to prove that they can do it. Few alterations to the system were done, in many cases they left nothing more than the digital equivalent of a pile of mud in the hall to announce their presence. Other case histories deal with some of the more serious crimes, where money and credit card numbers, the digital equivalent of money, were stolen. I personally would have liked to read more detailed descriptions of these crimes.