Rating: 
Summary: Technology and Social Studies
Review: An outstanding book which provides a glimpse into the hacker "community" and some insight into the technology they embrace as well. A must read for those interested in the subject of computer security (regardless of which side of the security door you stand on). The level of detail is enough to educate the average reader on the subject without being overwhelming, and enough reference info is provided to allow for further study. Winn's "irreverent" tone is refreshing as well, making the book entertaining at the same time. Great book!
Rating:
Summary: Terrorism Research Center Review of Cybershock
Review: Cybershock: Surviving Hackers, Phreakers, Identity Thieves, Internet Terrorists and Weapons of Mass Disruption by Winn Schwartau is an enlightening look at the dangers of the Internet from a consumer/ general user perspective. If I had one book to give friends and family that demonstrates the types of threats they need to be aware of in the information age, it would be Schwartau's Cybershock. Winn wrote this book for the mass market and he never strays from his target audience. He makes no apologies to those who are familiar with technology and security when he provides real-life examples of information security horror stories involving fraud or identity theft that many might label as fear mongering. Winn's stories are personal because he has been a victim and many of his friends and relatives have been targeted as well. One of Winn's major objectives in writing this book was to advance ideas on privacy and Internet rights, and many of the examples point the reader in a specific direction. However, Winn doesn't hide the fact that he is trying to be somewhat controversial to raise awareness on specific issues. The book, after all is entitled Cybershock, not Cybercalm. As an added bonus, the book also provides some interesting historical perspectives as Winn describes and interviews individuals who were visionaries offering information security services or predicted new threats before they emerged.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: I am using Cybershock for my textbook. I wanted to pass on some general comments from my students.They feel the book is GREAT! It is interesting, easy to read, and brings up ideas to think about. Almost all my students have made these comments. One student has even got his thesis adviser to read the book. For me, since the book is easy to read, I am having fun with the course. I have my students read several pages as homework (approx. 60- 80 but this isn't a problem since they like to read it - we meet once per week) and then they find articles on the same subject for class discussion. Most of my students have read the entire book and are now just reviewing it for class. We are only half way through the course. The discussions are energized and often the students reference the book in the class discussions as either an opposing side or in support of their articles. Winn did a great job! Thank you, Winn, for writing the book.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: I am using Cybershock for my textbook. I wanted to pass on some general comments from my students. They feel the book is GREAT! It is interesting, easy to read, and brings up ideas to think about. Almost all my students have made these comments. One student has even got his thesis adviser to read the book. For me, since the book is easy to read, I am having fun with the course. I have my students read several pages as homework (approx. 60- 80 but this isn't a problem since they like to read it - we meet once per week) and then they find articles on the same subject for class discussion. Most of my students have read the entire book and are now just reviewing it for class. We are only half way through the course. The discussions are energized and often the students reference the book in the class discussions as either an opposing side or in support of their articles. Winn did a great job! Thank you, Winn, for writing the book.
Rating:
Summary: book review
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed Winn Schwartau's book. He gives the reader an insightful look of hackers and phreakers community. He doesn't berate that community, but helps the reader understand what they are about. Schwartau's book makes this dangerous issue easy to understand and is written in a way that everyone has a chance of reading this book. He also fills the book with examples of security breaks that he has encountered. His stories seem scary at first, but he also emphasizes that there are ways to deter such attacks. His idea is not to get readers to stop using computers and the Internet because of such attacks, but to get them aware of what it out there and to take countermeasures. His real life stories are what make the book interesting to read and enjoy. I think that he could have offered sort of program that would allow the reader to see an example of a security program, maybe negotiating a deal to market a program would have been nice to include.
Rating:
Summary: book review
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed Winn Schwartau's book. He gives the reader an insightful look of hackers and phreakers community. He doesn't berate that community, but helps the reader understand what they are about. Schwartau's book makes this dangerous issue easy to understand and is written in a way that everyone has a chance of reading this book. He also fills the book with examples of security breaks that he has encountered. His stories seem scary at first, but he also emphasizes that there are ways to deter such attacks. His idea is not to get readers to stop using computers and the Internet because of such attacks, but to get them aware of what it out there and to take countermeasures. His real life stories are what make the book interesting to read and enjoy. I think that he could have offered sort of program that would allow the reader to see an example of a security program, maybe negotiating a deal to market a program would have been nice to include.
Rating:
Summary: One-stop course to common sense on the net
Review: I'm not saying not to read this book. If you're after info and facts, it's got a lot of them, and they're useful and thought provoking. At the same time, take it with a grain of salt. This book would have been much better written if the author had been able to take himself out of it a little more. His acedotes are amusing, but they give the whole book a feeling of condensation, a "smarter than thou" feeling. And it just got under my nerves. If you're reading it for the info, go ahead. If you're reading it for reading, try something else.
Rating: 
Summary: It's not exactly bad, but...
Review: I'm not saying not to read this book. If you're after info and facts, it's got a lot of them, and they're useful and thought provoking. At the same time, take it with a grain of salt. This book would have been much better written if the author had been able to take himself out of it a little more. His acedotes are amusing, but they give the whole book a feeling of condensation, a "smarter than thou" feeling. And it just got under my nerves. If you're reading it for the info, go ahead. If you're reading it for reading, try something else.
Rating: 
Summary: The Real Comprehensive Guide To Internet...
Review: Mr. Schwartau has never let me down before, and this time is no exception. Being a knowledgeable security professional already I still decided to read this book anyway. I liked the plain sense of it that I lent it to my neighbor who often wondered what my job involves, and probably be lending to my friend who is in law enforcement. It's a good read and I can guarantee after reading this book and watching CNN reports about hackers you'll begin to understand and question some things...
Rating:
Summary: The Real Comprehensive Guide To Internet...
Review: Mr. Schwartau has never let me down before, and this time is no exception. Being a knowledgeable security professional already I still decided to read this book anyway. I liked the plain sense of it that I lent it to my neighbor who often wondered what my job involves, and probably be lending to my friend who is in law enforcement. It's a good read and I can guarantee after reading this book and watching CNN reports about hackers you'll begin to understand and question some things...
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