The Myths of Security: What the Computer Security Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know

Computer Technology and Software

January 5th, 2010 by admin

ISBN13: 9780596523022
Condition: NEW
Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

Product Description
If you think computer security has improved in recent years, The Myths of Security will shake you out of your complacency. Longtime security professional John Viega, formerly Chief Security Architect at McAfee, reports on the sorry state of the industry, and offers concrete suggestions for professionals and individuals confronting the issue.

Why is security so bad? With many more people online than just a few years ago, there are more attackers -- and they... More >>

The Myths of Security: What the Computer Security Industry Doesn't Want You to Know

5 Responses

Quinton Jones writes:
January 5th, 201011:10 pmat

Myths of Security hits at all levels: ground level layman explanations and approachable topics like, “how much security is enough for the average consumer” but also pivotal topics at the intersection of today’s meaty infosec dialog like security vs. usability and application security on a budget.

There’s plenty of timely and controversial topics taken on like fixing the AV industry and cloud security and “The Cult of Schneier. ” I have a feeling I will end up seeing Myths of Security on most of my security friends bookshelves before long.
Rating: 5 / 5
Foti Massimo writes:
January 6th, 20101:32 amat

I am not a security expert, so I am not in a position to understand how much information contained in the book is new, part of it was new and valuable to me. The author is, opinionated, but, after all, the book is less controversial than I expected, mostly dominated by pragmatic common-sense. The chapters on “Open Source Security” and “Responsible Disclosure” were very interesting to me, even if they show the peculiar author’s bias (but we are all biased in a way or another).
The book format is indeed very handy, divided into multiple, short, self-contained chapters. I’ve read most of it during my lunch breaks

Rating: 4 / 5
Manuel Nedbal writes:
January 6th, 20101:59 amat

Throughout the book it becomes obvious that John Viega has a deep understanding of the security industry. Examples of how users are tricked into downloading malware stress the need to think about which products to use. A sometimes shocking insight into the industry uncovers the limits of protection and the need to educate oneself for which the book is an excellent help. It is understood by non professionals as well and has helped me as a father to protect my family better.
Rating: 5 / 5
Wesley H. Higaki writes:
January 6th, 20104:17 amat

John Viega’s latest book “Myths of Security” has something for everyone – from the everyday home computer user to the corporate security analyst. He gives some sound advice on how to secure your computers with some unique insights. He also offers up some thought-provoking ideas on what the security industry should be doing to improve itself.

As the title indicates, Mr. Viega dispels some common beliefs about computer security. One of my favorites is “Do anti-virus vendors write their own viruses?” Bravely, Mr. Viega also takes some shots at Google, Bruce Schneier and Trusteer while he dispels some myths about them. He tackles questions about the security of open source and virtualization.

The book is organized into many (40+) short (10 pages or less) chapters. Each chapter addresses a specific topic. This makes reading this book very easy. The topics seem to be directed to certain audiences – he provides tips to the average consumer on how to secure their home computer and also explains why anti-virus is so slow. He devotes several chapters to security product vendors providing recommendation on how they can improve their products. He even gives direction to IT security people on what security technologies might be most useful and why.

Rating: 5 / 5
Internet Security Titan writes:
January 6th, 20106:40 amat

This book was not of the quality that most people have come to expect from Viega. It lacked focus for a target audience, and I think that because of that it isn’t of much use for any particular group of readers. The author as much as admits this.

I think Viega has been in management too long. There isn’t any thought leadership to be found here.
Rating: 2 / 5