Administration | Coding | Linux | Security

SECURITY Book Reviews

The Symantec Guide to Home Internet Security
I'm not sure about this book. It's not something most of the readers of this site would be interested in, but it is something you might want to point out to other people.
Thursday, 15th September 2005

Linux Security Cookbook
Enjoyable and useful. I didn't really expect to learn a whole lot from this, but surprisingly (and happily), I did. It's jam packed with practical advice, and avoids the too often seen slant of many security books that don't understand the concept of "good enough".
Wednesday, 3rd August 2005



Halting the Hacker
This isn't a heavily technical book. Unlike many of the other security books I've reviewed, this isn't full of tcpdump traces and the like. It is, however, a really excellent overview of security that can introduce a system administrator or a general manager to the subject.
Wednesday, 3rd August 2005

Hacking Linux Exposed: Linux Security Secrets & Solutions
This is the Linux specific companion for Hacking Exposed. Note that I said companion: if you are serious about Linux security, you'll want both of these.
Wednesday, 3rd August 2005

Network Intrusion Detection
This is NOT a general security book. It is very specifically what the title says it is: a book about detecting network activity.
Wednesday, 3rd August 2005

SSH - The Secure Shell
Everything you'd ever need to know about SSH. Well written, very complete- I liked this book! Some of the Amazon reviwers weren't quite so happy with it...
Wednesday, 3rd August 2005

Hacking Exposed (Second Edition)
Some reviewers have called this a "scary" book. I guess it is that, but more importantly it is an upsetting book, a gnawing pit of the stomach uneasy book, a book that will wake you up from a cold sleep with that awful feeling of dread.
Wednesday, 3rd August 2005

Linux Firewalls
This is undoubtedly the best introductory security book I've read. Note that I specifically didn't say "best introductory Linux security book". Yes, the focus is on Linux, and the packet filter examples are all ipchains, but more than 99% of the advice and explanation here applies to any Unix system...
Wednesday, 3rd August 2005

Maximum Linux Security
have really mixed feelings about this book. In the first place, security is, by its nature, a constantly moving target. You can't expect any book to really cover security well, because everything changes all the time.
Wednesday, 3rd August 2005

Practical Unix and Internet Security
This was originally published in 1991, but this 1996 2nd edition is much larger and of course completely updated.
Wednesday, 3rd August 2005

Fundamentals of Computer Security Technology
This is a mathematical treatment of security. As such, it is probably of interest to students and security professionals.
Wednesday, 3rd August 2005

Internet Security - Risk Analysis, Strategies and Firewalls
This is an excellent introduction to Internet security. It is well written, even entertaining, and does a very good overview of the entire subject from the first underground hackers to the current state of the internet.
Wednesday, 3rd August 2005

Intrusion Detection - Network Security Beyond the Firewall
This book makes the case that no matter what security measures are in place, no matter how many firewalls, no matter what design of SmartCards for login, no matter what level of OS security, you still need to watch for and detect intrusions and other breaches.
Wednesday, 3rd August 2005

Intrusion Prevention and Active Response
The more security books I read, the more I feel like I'm standing in a hall of mirrors, with the villian plainly visible pointing a weapon at me. But where is he? Which reflection is the one I need to pay attention to?
Wednesday, 3rd August 2005

Hardening Linux
Oh, a book on iptables? No. Oh, sure, this does cover iptables, but this is a complete, soup to nuts Linux security book, starting with installation and proceeding right through to what to do if you have been breached.
Wednesday, 3rd August 2005