If that’s the case, you might be able to satisfy your hunger by reading a book on cybersecurity. Have you ever thought about how the most exciting part of most modern thrillers is usually the nail-biting attempt to crack a strong encryption key or get into a computer?
That could be because the threats and risks shown in these stories are real and could happen in our world today, which is based on technology.
What Is Cybersecurity?
In the field of computers, cybersecurity is the set of practices and methods used to keep programs, network, and important data safe from people who shouldn’t have access to them.
Cybersecurity and physical security are two types of security that are used to keep people from getting into a computer system or database without permission. Because one of the main jobs of cybersecurity is to keep data safe and private, it is also called information security.
Cybersecurity helps stop
- Theft of Identity
- Data Breach
- Cyberattacks
Organizations that use cybersecurity follow three key principles, which are called the “CIA triad”: confidentiality, integrity, and availability. These must be followed to the letter; they are called “pillars of security.” this article talks about are interesting looks into the world of hacking and are read by experts in that field.
Following Is The List of the Best Cyber Security Books
#1) The Art of Invisibility: How to Stay Safe in the Age of Big Data and Big Brother from the World’s Most Famous Hacker
Author: Kevin Mitnick
Date: On February 4, 2017, it came out.
Size: 320 Pages
Price: $19.17
“The Art of Invisibility,” authored by the renowned Kevin Mitnick, recognized as the world’s most famous hacker, delves into his insightful perspectives. Mitnick’s engaging writing sheds light on major corporations aiming to exploit individuals by closely monitoring their activities.
Leveraging his extensive knowledge and experiences, Mitnick imparts crucial advice to readers on safeguarding themselves against the intrusion of big corporations and extensive data collection. Through real-life examples, he illustrates instances where both major businesses and governmental entities have compromised online privacy.
This compelling book instills a sense of both suspicion and caution, prompting readers to be more mindful. It is highly recommended for anyone seeking valuable insights into safeguarding personal information in the digital age.
Suggested Readers: Everyone
#2) Hacking: The Art of Exploitation
Author: Jon Erickson
Date: On February 4, 2008, it came out.
Size: 488 pages.
Price: $22 – 27
The next book is a gift for people who work in IT. “Hacking: The Art of Exploitation” is a book that not only explains how hacking works but also goes into great detail about it from the point of view of a hacker.
A complete look at modern programming and hacking methods is given in the book. Even better, the second version of this book comes with a Live CD that has a full Linux environment on it. This lets people who are interested get their hands dirty with writing and fixing bugs without putting their computer’s operating system at risk.
The book is also written in plain English, with no specialized terms. This book is a quick and easy read that anyone who is even slightly interested in hacking can pick up.
Suggested Readers: Everyone
#3) Cult of the Dead Cow: How the Original Hacking Supergroup Might Just Save the World
Author: Joseph Menn
Date: June 4, 2019
Size: 272
Price: $20
The book “Cult of the Dead Cow” is about one of the longest and most prestigious hacking groups the US has ever had. You may have heard about it recently when Beto O’Rourke, a candidate for president, said he was in the group.
Well, this book puts them back in the spotlight and talks about all the cool things they did. It’s mostly about how the group created TOR and how they forced many US companies to improve their security even more.
The book is about the background of the “Cult of the Dead Cow” and how they changed America after they formed.
Suggested Readers: Everyone
#4) Ghost In The Wires: My Adventures as the World’s Most Wanted Hacker
Author: Kevin Mitnick
Date: April 24, 2012.
Size: 448 pages.
Price: $11.49
The author of the book we already talked about has written a real-life thriller. The book Ghost in the Wires is different because it is based on a true story that seems more strange than fantasy. Mitnick talks about the times he broke into some of the most prestigious companies in the world, like Motorola, Pacific Bell, and Sun Microsystems.
You could call it the autobiography of a hacker who was at the top of his game. He started out as a simple IT worker and rose to become the most famous hacker in the world, with the FBI hot on his heels. Ghost in the Wires is a book that needs to be turned into a cyber-thriller that is good enough to be shown in movie theaters.
Suggested Readers: Everyone
#5) The Code Book: The Science of Secrecy from Ancient Egypt to Quantum Cryptography
Author: Simon Singh
Date: August 20, 2000
Size: 432 pages.
Price: $12.89
Simon Singh has written an interesting book that tells the story of encryption from its beginnings in Ancient Egypt all the way up to the present day. You heard that right. Simon said that the rules for computer security we use today can be tracked back to ancient Egyptian texts and old-fashioned spying methods.
There is a lot of information in this book about how encryption has changed the world we live in now. From the start of e-commerce to the end of the intrusive Nazi government, encryption has been responsible for many important events.
“The Code Book” explains the history of the word “encryption” and connects it to many well-known people and events. By the time you reach the last page, you will be amazed and speechless. This book by Simon Singh is the only one that looks at something so current as encryption through the lens of history.
Suggested Readers: Everyone
#6) Practical Malware Analysis
Author: Stephen Honig and Michael Sikorski
Date: On February 1, 2012, it came out
Size: 800
Price: $39.99
Threats like Malware and Viruses are real issues that people today have to deal with. There is always a new type of malware on the horizon, and security experts and IT pros are always on the lookout for the best ways to stop them.
One book like this is Practical Malware Analysis, which shows how professionals deal with the danger of malware. This and a lot more are covered in great detail in the book. It goes over everything from creating safe virtual environments to looking at specific cases and coming up with ways to break down malware.
Companies are always at risk of being hacked by malware. If an attack is successful, it could cost billions of dollars, and in the worst situations, the company could have to declare bankruptcy. Because of this, they need to be ready with the right reaction for these kinds of attacks.
The book Practice Malware Analysis does give useful information on how to deal with these kinds of threats. It not only lists the best ways to do things, but it also gives companies tools they can use to fight and get rid of the threat of virus attacks.
Suggested Readers: Cybersecurity and IT Professionals/Aspirants
#7) Threat Modeling: Designing for Security
Author: Adam Shostack
Date: February 17, 2014
Size: 624 pages.
Price: $54.22
People who work in cybersecurity, like writers and managers, will find this book more useful than people who just read for fun. It talks about different threat modelling best practices that big companies like Microsoft and others have used to deal with risks and worked well.
It is a good idea to think about how to make systems safer during the design process, instead of having to deal with it later. When Adam gives advice, it’s all about taking action, and security experts can use it every day to deal with risks.
Suggested Readers: Cybersecurity and IT Professionals/Aspirants
#8) Hacking Exposed 7: Network Security Secrets and Solutions
Author: Craig McClure, George Kurtz, and Joel Scambray
Date: August 1, 2012
Size: 768 pages.
Price: $21-38
Three cybersecurity experts wrote this book. They looked at hacking from an intellectual and scholarly point of view. It goes into great detail about everything, from leaving a footprint to reading the counter-measures instructions. This book is meant to answer any questions you might have about hacking.
We all know that cybersecurity is a very unstable area where some ideas are losing their usefulness while others become more useful. “Hacking Exposed” is the one book that will teach you everything you need to know about hacking. A book that is updated with new versions all the time to keep its readers up to date on the latest changes in the field.
By putting the reader in the shoes of a hacker, it shows interesting ways to stop hackers. It makes you think like them, which gives workers the tools they need to stop security breaches. These days, there aren’t many books that do that well and keep you interested the whole time.
Suggested Readers: Cybersecurity and IT Professionals/Aspirants
#9) The Cyber Effect
Author: Mary Aiken
Date: June 27, 2017.
Size: 400
Price: $14
Aiken uses her work as an investigative cyber-psychologist to write “The Cyber Effect,” a truly groundbreaking book about how cyberspace is changing the way people feel, think, and act.
There is a lot of interesting information here for people who want to know how people think about technology. In her book “The Cyber Effect,” Aiken asks and answers questions like “What Changes Technology Makes in Our Lives?” “How does it change our lives and the lives of our children?” Or, “How much has technology invaded our private areas?” or “Is there even such a thing as privacy anymore?”
Even though the questions are interesting, the solutions are even more so. The author has worked with police forces all over the world and was also the idea for the famous series SCI: Cyber, which explains the captivating writing in this book.
Suggested Readers: Everyone
#10) Social Engineering: The Science of Human Hacking
Author: Christopher Hadnagy
Date: July 31, 2018
Size: 320
Price: $23.54
As implied by its title, “Social Engineering” delves more into the lives of hackers than the act of hacking itself. This distinction highlights both the clever and the indolent hackers, emphasizing those who meticulously breach virtual barriers instead of opting for the more straightforward approach.
The book scrutinizes individuals, recognizing them as the weakest link in hacking. It not only identifies their vulnerabilities but also guides readers in discovering, predicting, and leveraging these weaknesses to their advantage. In a sarcastic and often dark manner, it delves into the minds of cybercriminals. In essence, the book skillfully penetrates the psyche of adept hackers, adding a compelling layer of interest.
Accessible to a broad audience, “Social Engineering” can be enjoyed by those without an in-depth understanding of code and hacking. The book provides straightforward methods to protect oneself from hackers, making it an engaging read for everyone.
Suggested Readers: Everyone
Conclusion
Here is our list of the best books on cybersecurity that you can read. It took us a whole day of searching through Amazon and Goodreads to find a list of books that we felt good about suggesting.
The compilation of books on this list was influenced by factors such as popularity and sales figures. Additionally, their inclusion hinged on the quality of writing, the author’s expertise in hacking, and the relevance of the content.
The Art of Invisibility by Kevin Mitnick is a good book to read if you want to learn more about hacking.