Firewalls and Internet Security: Repelling the Wily Hacker/Inside the Security Mind: Making the Tough Decisions/Network Security: A Hacker's Perspective (Book).

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Author: Gordon, Rachel Singer1,2

Cheswick, William R. & others.
Firewalls and Internet Security:
Repelling the Wily Hacker. 2d ed.
Addison-Wesley. 2003. 433p. bibliog.
0201-63466-X. pap. $49.99.

Day, Kevin.
Inside the Security Mind:
Making the Tough Decisions.
Prentice Hall. 2003. 309p.
0-13-1118293. pap. $44.99.

Fadia, Ankit.
Network Security:
A Hacker's Perspective.
Premier Pr. 2003. 341p.
1-59200-045-2. pap. $49.99.

Computer security is a perennially hot topic (see Computer Media, LJ 3/1/03), so libraries need to invest in up-to-date guides as hackers grow more sophisticated and new operating systems bring new vulnerabilities. For network administrators, Firewalls uses examples in UNIX form, but many of its security principles and guidelines are generally useful. Quotes from popular media, from The Princess Bride to The Cat in the Hat, typify its clear, thorough, and friendly style. Appendixes cover cryptography and keeping up, followed by an extensive bibliography; for all libraries. In Network Security, high school-aged hacker Fadia (see Computer Media, LJ 7/02) relates to both admins and individuals, starting from the beginning by dissecting IP addresses, proceeding through gathering information and identifying and countering different types of network attacks, and ending with information on protocols, encryption, and file security. Step-by-step explanations of how hackers carry out common attacks, with associated suggestions for countermeasures, are quite helpful. Appendixes list port numbers, protocol numbers, and country codes. Appropriate for all libraries. Inside targets corporate IT workers, presenting useful guidelines and examples for making consistent security decisions. While the book could use some editing and tightening, its approach to helping IT personnel develop an ongoing security-conscious mindset is useful. Purchase in conjunction with more technical guides.

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By Rachel Singer Gordon, webmaster of the library careers site, author

Rachel Singer Gordon is webmaster of the library careers site Lisjobs.com and author of The Accidental Systems Librarian (Information Today, 2003)