The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group Stealing The Network - for the bookshelf Major Keary |
Modern 'thriller' fiction makes much use of supposed technologies that enable computer-related systems to be manipulated in ways that defy rational understanding. The gullible may take it as factual that Tom Cruise can enter long, complex strings to a UNIX command line while suspended by his dongle, but if you want to know how the penetration of computer-based systems is really done, then get a copy of Stealing the Network: How to Own a Continent.
Nine contributors - with Kevin Mitnick as technical editor - have each brought their personal expertise and experience to this remarkable collaboration: a fictionalised account of how a group of hackers manages to compromise the network infrastructure of an entire continent. No one uses any device that is not readily available off-the-shelf, or readily constructed on the kitchen table.
From a literary point of view it is interesting to see how the plot was developed; an appendix contains some of the emails between the contributors to show how it was done. However, for anyone with an interest in system security issues this is a must-read. No technical knowledge is required; even though the plot relies heavily on technical matters, the narrative contains good explanations that lay readers should find easy to follow - indeed, they will learn quite a lot long the way. Of course, the technically savvy reader will get the most from this fascinating thriller.
The exploits are not far fetched and illustrate just how vulnerable computer systems are. This is an important addition to a growing body of literature that - very effectively - describes system weaknesses and attack techniques from the bad guy's perspective.
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Stealing the Network: How to Own a Continent ISBN 1-931836-05-1 Published by Syngress, 512 pp., RRP $89.95 incl. GST |
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WarDriving
The name comes from WarDialling, a term coined in the 1983 film, WarGames.
WarDialling has been described as being like knocking on the doors of several
thousand neighbours to see who answers; more formally "it is the practice of
using a modem attached to a computer to dial an entire exchange of telephone
numbers . to locate any computers with modems attached to them" [Hurley et al.,
WarDriving, Syngress, 2004]. WarDriving involves driving around a locality to
identify all the wireless access points in that area. It has become both a tool
for testing the security of wireless networks and a kind of recreational
activity.
WarDriving: Drive, Detect, Defend - A Guide to Wireless Security, to give the
book its full title, presents a comprehensive coverage of the subject for
novices through to network protection professionals. It is an especially useful
resource for those interested in participating in organised WarDrives.
The book describes, with good technical depth, the hardware and software
required for WarDriving, and discusses set up issues for Microsoft Windows,
Macintosh, and Linux platforms. About a third of the book deals with wireless
network security matters, explaining how wireless network's can be attacked and
what can be done to make them secure.
The text is supported with example code, screen shots, and useful illustrations
of hardware. If you are interested in WarDriving as a recreational or learning
activity, this is the guide to have. If you are a system administrator - or the
like - who has responsibility for securing wireless networks, this is essential
reading. If you are just curious about the topic it is a great read.
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Chris Hurley et al.: WarDriving: Drive, Detect, Defend ISBN 1-931836-03-5 Published by Syngress, 514 pp., RRP $89.95 incl. GST |
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Reprinted from the November 2004 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
