A Short Course on Computer Viruses (Wiley Professional Computing) - Softcover

Cohen, Frederick B.

3.75

8 ratings by Goodreads

9780471007692: A Short Course on Computer Viruses (Wiley Professional Computing)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0471007692 ISBN 13: 9780471007692

Publisher: Wiley, 1994

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Written by a pioneer in the field, this updated and expanded revision covers all aspects of computer viruses. New results include: analysis of the epidemiology of computer viruses, new forms of virus evolution that will render most current safeguards useless, strategy and tactics in virus defenses, assessment of synergistic effects in attack and defense. Features new chapters on LANs, international and `good' viruses. Software includes a virus scanner, a password generator and checker, an `integrity' shell to test systems and much more. Packed with historical facts, anecdotes and authentic examples.

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Review:

It is rare in the computer world to find someone both technically and verbally adept. It is even rarer to find yourself laughing out loud when reading a computer text. Fred Cohen is not only a pioneer in the field of virus research, but also a superb storyteller. Cohen provides an engaging account of viruses, his early experiments, and his struggle to convince security experts that viruses are a real threat. In one of his most memorable anecdotes, Cohen describes a visit to a security trade show where--to the dismay of the experts--he swiftly demonstrates how even the lowest level employee has the ability to breach the system's defenses. As an expert in the field, he is often given credit for coining the term "computer virus." In fact, his famous 1984 paper brought about the first real interest in viruses from both researchers--and unfortunately--virus creators. A Short Course on Computer Viruses is largely theoretical in nature, and while Cohen does not discuss the commercial anti-virus packages, he does explain how they work and what their limitations are.

From the Back Cover:

From the reviews of the first edition "Cohen has been writing and speaking on viruses since they were just glimmerings in the eyes of ... minded computer scientists. And, as a ... minded scientist himself, Dr. Cohen does know his stuff." —EXE Magazine "This book is fun to read (a rarity in this field) and seemingly near faultless in the majority of its conclusions. Considering the author’s considerable achievements, it is also written with admirable modesty." —Virus Bulletin Here is an outstanding opportunity to learn about computer viruses from the internationally acclaimed pioneer in the field who actually coined the phrase "computer virus." This new edition of Cohen’s classic work has been updated and expanded to nearly double its original size and now includes entirely new chapters on LAN viruses, international viruses, and good viruses (including code). As entertaining as it is thorough, the text is enlivened by Cohen’s down-to-earth wit and his many fascinating anecdotes and heretofore unpublished historical facts about viruses. Both broad in its coverage and deep in its consideration, it includes dozens of lucid explanations and examples that amicably guide the reader through the complex, often convoluted subject matter. Hailed as a tour de force, Cohen’s discussion of defensive strategies reveals many of the stumbling blocks that often trip readers up. Among the breakthroughs and exciting new developments you’ll find only in this book are: