"The Unnofficial Guide to Ethical Hacking" (book title)

Discussion in 'All other topics' started by metave, Jun 17, 2008.

  1. metave

    metave Member

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    Has anyone read this book? Here's its listing on Amazon.com.

    It sounds interesting, but these days, $30 is a lot to spend on a book (I have about four other "real" textbooks that I need to buy this fall ;-;). It's obviously an interesting topic to me (my only weakness is that I don't know how computer networks function. That, and bees), though I'm trying real hard not to sound like the average "ZOMG IM SO LEET GUYS!" preteen wannabe hacker.

    Would anyone recommend me this book? I know there are sites out there I can learn about this stuff for free, but I'm old-fashioned in my preference for ink.

    Note to the mods who might view this as malicious: my interests here are purely academic. I know how to do a lot of illegal things, but I don't do them... it's more about the "if I need this later in life, it's there" skill.

    Well, hell, that just makes me look even more guilty. Oh, well...
     
  2. binkie7

    binkie7 Moderator Staff Member

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    I can't recommned the book cause I've never read it + I'm no pro at all on hacking BUT ethical hacking is a big thing any more though it might be called a vulnerability assessment instead.

    If it's something you are interested in - go for it - big bucks in it.
    You have to know how to hack (and o/s's along w/ networking) to be an effective IT security specialist. Many companies look for ethical hackers - so it's not always considered a bad thing anymore.
     
  3. metave

    metave Member

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    Hmm... I never thought of that. I was just going to learn for the fun of it, but I might be able to get a job out of it, too.

    As for getting this specific book, I'm still on the fence about it. Thanks for your input, though!
     
  4. binkie7

    binkie7 Moderator Staff Member

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    Who better to test an information system then a hacker :)
    There's 3 types of hackers - black hats, gray hats and white hats so not all hackers are bad.

    If you interested I'd probably look for something newer - so much has changed in technology since that book was published in 2002.
    It probably still has good info though so maybe get it used from Amazon.
     
  5. metave

    metave Member

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    Well, hey, if you'd do that for me, I'd greatly appreciate it.

    Would I be wrong in assuming you have some experience in this field?
     
  6. binkie7

    binkie7 Moderator Staff Member

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    I kinda didn't make my sentance very clear - I was giving my opinion but no worries I have some links at home I can dig up for you.

    I have some experience - not much and I take classes here and there on it. There is still a lot for me to learn. I'm an IT project manager so I do have to deal with security issues and account for them. But I rely on others to properly handle them :)
    My company also does ethical hacks on our systems from time to time or when a new portal is opened.
    To me those reports & finding are pretty interesting!
     
  7. LOCOENG

    LOCOENG Moderator Staff Member

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    Not all hackers are evil....remember Daniel G?

    [​IMG]
     
  8. Ripper

    Ripper Active member

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    Which Dan G are we talking about? xP

    Haha
     
  9. metave

    metave Member

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    >_>;

    Maybe I should start with:
    [​IMG]
     
  10. binkie7

    binkie7 Moderator Staff Member

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    lol
    Here's some newer books - Hacking for Dummies and this one which I is more technical but supposedly explains things in detail - Hacking: The Art of Exploitation.

    If it's something that interests you I'd pick one up - probably the 1st one to get the basics down (heck I might even pick that one up!). In the long run if you decide to pursue you'd already have a head start of going into InfoSec.
     
  11. metave

    metave Member

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    Well, that first one's going to take a bit of pride-swallowing to buy at Barnes and Noble... I might have to order that one online. >_>

    After I'm done with that, I'll get the second one.

    Thanks for the help, Blinkie. (b'.')b
     
  12. binkie7

    binkie7 Moderator Staff Member

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    Not a problem metave :)

    Let me know if you pick them up & what you think - they interest me too. Plus I won't have any free time to really read them until December.
     
  13. metave

    metave Member

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    Well, I got "Hacking for Dummies," but with the Patriot Act, I needed something inconspicuous to throw the feds off my trail, so I got "The Essential Iron Man Collection: Volume 1." It is common [Wikipedia] knowledge that black-hat hackers hate, and even fear Iron Man.

    Still, $18 for books (and $7) for shipping... not bad. Penny for penny, books are more cost effective than video games for entertainment, but sometimes you want to get a larger quantity of fun (like the pot-smoker buying mushrooms).
     
  14. binkie7

    binkie7 Moderator Staff Member

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    lol - nice analogy there :)

    Let me know how you like the book - I will more than likely pick it up from Amazon. Though I may be brave and just buy it by itself :)
     
  15. canuckerz

    canuckerz Regular member

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    I read the hacking for dummies ebook, half the 120 or so page book is watered down with disclaimers and a 20 page explanation of the meaning of ethical. It's easy to find if you look for it in the right places though ;)
     
  16. binkie7

    binkie7 Moderator Staff Member

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    Thanks canuckerz
    Worth reading in your option for say a novice?
    Yes it's fast download :) But when I read I prefer the actually book - I could print it but hell the cost of the paper & ink would be as much as the book :)
     
  17. canuckerz

    canuckerz Regular member

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    Its definitely worth reading but definitely buy the actual book; ebooks are pain enough to read under normal circumstances, but when you have to filter through page after page of warnings its unbearable.
     
  18. binkie7

    binkie7 Moderator Staff Member

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    lol - very true about e-books :) It's the biggest reason why they just sit on my hard drive untouched.

    Thanks for the feedback on the book!
     
  19. metave

    metave Member

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    Well... it should be coming in the mail today. If not, tomorrow.

    It'll take a few days to read, but I'll finish it by the end of the week, and I'll give some feedback in this topic when I'm done.
     
  20. binkie7

    binkie7 Moderator Staff Member

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    Cool txs metave - the more reviews the better :)
     

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