Steal This Computer Book 4.0: What They Won't Tell You about the Internet

Wang's stated goal is to open the reader's eyes about what's really there. He shows what's being done, how it's being done, and how to avoid problems or even strike back. He begins with a chapter about the news media, and his message is that no source is to be trusted completely. He examines issues important to Internet users: the cost of getting computerized (with tips on how to find the real bargains), who is using the Internet as a source of hate information, and how your privacy can be invaded and protected.

He shows you the secrets of malicious hackers and others and how some of them attack computer systems without the ethical mindset typical of the original, idealistic hackers. Wang shows you how you can set up your defenses against such an onslaught, discussing how to protect yourself and your kids from online stalkers and how online con games work.

Wang never claims that the Internet is the electronic den of darkness that the pop media make it out to be. But he makes it clear that something this big has its lowlights--it's own "net noir." His messages are "know your enemy" and "be careful who you trust," an ideology verified by the examples he provides. --Elizabeth Lewis

Product Description
This offbeat, non-technical book examines what hackers do, how they do it, and how readers can protect themselves. Informative, irreverent, and entertaining, the completely revised fourth edition of Steal This Computer Book contains new chapters that discuss the hacker mentality, lock picking, exploiting P2P file sharing networks, and how people manipulate search engines and pop-up ads. Includes a CD with hundreds of megabytes of hacking and security-related programs that tie in to each chapter in the book.

Wally takes an exception to the rule here and offers an insider's survey of what these geeks do at night. He reveals enough material to get someone in trouble and offers a few opinions that are misinformed (e.g., Eastern block programmers wrote viruses as an outlet for being underpaid.)

All in all, I was very excited when I read about this book and who had written it, having read many of Wally's articles in BoardWatch magazine.

A lot of the stuff is old hat to geeks that have been lurking the underground themselves, but most people would have to search out this dark side for years to gain this kind of sweeping information of what goes on. Specific programs and sites are listed again and again that point to anything on the dark side that you care to find.

I commend Mr. Wallace for being gutsy enough and kind enough to the general public to publish a book such as this while withholding just (barely) enough information to keep malicious newbies slightly at bay (e.g. most newbies aren't going to be writing their own encrytion algorythms in spite of Wally's "It's easy" approach.)

I say, if this topic interests you or if you want a solid introduction into "How to be a Bad guy on the Web", then buy the book!


A non- technical book showing what hackers do, why, and how users can protect themselves   July 3, 2006
Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful

Wallace Wang's Steal This Computer 4.0: What They Won't Tell You About The Internet offers a completely revised fourth edition of a non- technical book showing what hackers do, why, and how users can protect themselves. Embedded in these tips are insights on how to avoid scams and problems, while a companion cd comes packed with hacking and security-related programs like keyloggers, spyware stoppers and spam filters. If you've used the computer, you need to know about common tricks and traps - and Steal This Computer's latest edition covers them all.



The coolest. Bought more of these than anything for X-Mas.   December 27, 1998
My friends loved it. Gave all of my computer geek friends a copy of this book and they drooled.


Great reading--get this book!!   October 21, 1998
I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!! But it sounds to me from reading a few other comments here that the computer geeks among us want to be sure that they keep this information out of the hands of people like me. Sure, you can find holes in any book. But Wallace Wang wanted to make sure that we got the information. Thanks Wallace. I now know a lot more about the computer underground than I ever did and it's a lot more interesting than what I've seen in the movies! So hands off guys!


This book is full of useful information.   September 11, 1998
This was a very interesting book. I especially enjoyed the chapter on encryption and anonymity. I have tested many of the methods mentioned in that chapter and found that they worked great.