The Dark Side of the Internet: Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Online Criminals

(Hardback)

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Description

In less than a decade, personal computers have become part of our daily lives. Many of us come into contact with computers every day, whether at work, school or home. As useful as the new technologies are, they also have a darker side. By making computers part of our daily lives, we run the risk of allowing thieves, swindlers, and all kinds of deviants directly into our homes. Armed with a personal computer, a modem and just a little knowledge, a thief can easily access confidential information, such as details of bank accounts and credit cards. This book helps people avoid harm at the hands of Internet criminals. It offers a tour of the more dangerous parts of the Internet, as the author explains who the predators are, their motivations, how they operate and how to protect against them. In less than a decade, personal computers have become part of our daily lives. Many of us come into contact with computers every day, whether at work, school or home. As useful as the new technologies are, they also have a darker side. By making computers part of our daily lives, we run the risk of allowing thieves, swindlers, and all kinds of deviants directly into our homes. Armed with a personal computer, a modem and just a little knowledge, a thief can easily access confidential information, such as details of bank accounts and credit cards. This book is intended to help people avoid harm at the hands of Internet criminals. It offers a tour of the more dangerous parts of the Internet, as the author explains who the predators are, their motivations, how they operate and how to protect against them. Behind the doors of our own homes, we assume we are safe from predators, con artists, and other criminals wishing us harm. But the proliferation of personal computers and the growth of the Internet have invited these unsavory types right into our family rooms. With a little psychological knowledge a con man can start to manipulate us in different ways. A terrorist can recruit new members and raise money over the Internet. Identity thieves can gather personal information and exploit it for criminal purposes. Spammers can wreak havoc on businesses and individuals. Here, an expert helps readers recognize the signs of a would-be criminal in their midst. Focusing on the perpetrators, the author provides information about how they operate, why they do it, what they hope to do, and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim.

Reviews

[T]he book provides a highly accessible survey that occasionally and paradoxically enough, even becomes entertaining. All four parts are organized in well-structured chapters in which Bocij first explains what the risk is about, when and how the potential harm might become real, who is causing the potential danger and how readers can ensure their own, their family's or the business' security and safety. In the glossary at the end of the book, Bocij provides clear and concise explanations and definitions of key terms and concepts, and ensures that readers will understand the technical aspects of the Internet as well as the concreteness of the reported risks. * Humor Research *
The author introduces the types of threats posed to users of the Internet by the range of criminals and deviants populating the Web. The focus is more on the motivations and behaviors of people and less on technological matters and now prior technical knowledge is required. The author has included greater coverage of neglected areas by sacrificing coverage of topics that have been discussed extensively elsewhere. He presents the material in four sections that deal with cyberterrorism and information warfare; malware (malicious software) and their creators; phishing, e-mail fraud, auction fraud and other forms of identity theft; and issues related to online relationships such as cyberstalking, suicide clubs, and hate speech. * Reference & Research Book News *
[T]his title provides a useful and comprehensive overview of the unsavory side of the internet, and is recommended for public, college and university libraries. * Catholic Library World *
[C]overs Spy and Adwear, Identity theft, Fraud, Junk E-Mail and much more. If these words mean nothing to you, then this book would be a very good place to start. * Police Journal *
The Dark Side of the Internet: Protecting Yourself and Your Family From Online Criminals helps readers recognize the danger signs of internet threats, from spyware to auctions and cyberstalking. Each topic receives in-depth history, overviews of 'how' and discussions of recovery, fraud, and protection measures. A 'must' not just for college-level collections strong in social issues or crime prevention, but for any general-interest library. * Internet Law Book Reviews *
The Dark Side of the Internet is an informative crime prevention book. * Midwest Book Review - The Bookwatch and Internet Bookwatch *
The threats we encounter online have become almost a part of daily life. Junk e-mail, pop-ups, and adware are nuisances we have to put up with as part of the convenience and access to information that the Internet provides. Bocij goes through the laundry list of these annoyances, explaining the differences among viruses, worms, and Trojan horses; the phishing and pharming e-mail scams; and the infamous Nigerian 4-1-9 scam, which apparently subsidizes a significant portion of Nigerias economy, despite the widespread knowledge of its existence. There is a darker world, however, lurking in chat rooms and on thousands of Web sites catering to every fetish imaginable, and Bocij discusses some of the more sensational and frightening aspects of online relationships.On the bright side, Bocij presents tips for protecting your computer and yourself from online assaults and provides links to numerous free virus-removal tools and other resources to stop online offenders in their tracks. * Booklist *
[A]n easily readable survey covering such topics as malicious software (malware), identity theft and related fraud, cyberstalking, and the possibilities of cyberterror and info warfare. The style is non-technical, but adequately supported by research and references. * Security Letter *

Author Bio

Paul Bocij is a published writer of numerous computer training titles and has published articles on various cybercrimes in journals such as The Criminal Lawyer and Prison Service Journal. He is the author of Cyberstalking (Praeger, 2004).