Malware, Rootkits & Botnets A Beginner's Guide

Christopher Elisan makes no secret of the fact he "earned his bones" working in the trenches at Trend Micro's TrendLabs. The time was well spent and apparently proved to be an excellent "school of hard knocks" for the malware expert who is currently the principle Malware Analyst at RSA NetWitness."Malware, Rootkits & Botnets: A Beginner's Guide" takes the reader on a fascinating, if not at times, frightening journey across a cyber landscape populated with Hackers, Hactivists, and Fraudsters. For the rank beginner, the trip can be a scary one, but Elisan is an excellent Guide who points out the various pitfalls, and traps along the way, and does so in a clear and informative manner.In the first part of the book, Elisan lays a firm foundation with a brief history of malware, and a lively discussion of Rootkits and Botnets. If you did not know what a "Botnet" was beforehand, you will get an education in one of my favorite chapters, "Rise of the Botnets." You will learn not only what a "Botnet" is, but what are the main characteristics and key components, as well as how they are used for malicious intent. Then in the second part of the book, aptly titled, "Welcome to the Jungle," Elisan describes where denizens of the malware "threat ecosystem" lurk. He describes in detail infections, and compromises, before launching into the third part of the book examining the matter of protections, particularly the daunting task of protecting the "Enterprise," tasks that range from detecting threats to mitigating them. Finally, the book concludes with a nonsense look at what the future may portend with respect to the ever expanding and increasingly challenging threat from Malware, Rootkits and Botnets.Elisan also provides, as an appendix, containing useful links to online security products and security tools. The "Beginners Guide . . ." is excellent starting point for anyone interested in the subject of cyber security and cyber crime, specifically when it comes to understanding the mystery and complexity of malware. In fact, the "Beginners Guide . . ." would make an excellent introductory text book on the subject. Big hint there! On the other hand, the "Beginners Guide . . ." also constitutes a solid review of the subject for the experienced cyber-security practitioner. Not a lecture, just an observation - Mike Anders, CEH, C|HFI, Security+, Network+

I am required to take annual security training, but this book substantially increased my level of awareness. The author takes a fairly complex subject and makes most of it accessible to people who have some understanding of computers and software but are not programmers. Admittedly, I waded through some of the discussion about how malware enters operating systems and other sofware, but it was worth the wade, and that discussion was not most of the book.The discussions of how people are tricked into allowing or even inviting malware into their systems are great. First thing that happened after reading the book is I realized a site that came up on a search was posing as a legitimate anti-virus provider, providing "free" downloads to ensure your PC's security. I reported it to the company who said indeed it was not their site. It's nice getting the bad guys, and even nice knowing I have a tool set beyond my virus checker and firewall to avoid them.

This was a well-written easy to read book on the subject matter presented. Very clear concise, and each chapter built upon the last. I've worked in the field for several years, so I wasn't expecting much of this to be new to me... I was mistaken. Malware, Rootkits & Botnets A Beginner's Guide filled in many gaps. It explains malware classification, behaviors, lifecycle, and the incident response process. This book won't spell out IR for you, but it will provide you with an excellent straw man on creating an effective plan.Would love to see a follow up book on more advanced topics.

If the basics of how malware works is a mystery to you (as much of it was to me), then this is the book for you. Mr. Elisan writes so that you don't need to be a software engineer or an expert at coding to understand how malware does what it does. The section on rootkits is very good, worth the price of the book by itself.

I loved that this book covers the basics of where malware comes from and what there reason is for making it. It goes into the dark dungeons of where cyber criminals turn of Malware and just how they make there money of us if we are not careful. Also how we can help not line their pockets.

This is a book which gives the reader an excellent insight about what malware is and everything around. I recommend this book to all the people who is interested in starting a career in the AV industry.

Very nice book. Was able to really comprehend the basic of the "new threats" on the digital world. Christopher is very knowledgeable on this field. Will look forward on new books from this author. A++

It is a dated review of malware and most of the material is readily available on the internet.It may be acceptable for a freshman in high school, never a computer science major.

Had the option to receive a used version which arrived with good quality. The design is pleasant and it even contains pictures for examples. Not as complicated as other books.

This Book is simply Awesum, I loved the way the author has expressed this ideas, simply great, will buy more " A Beginner's Guide" series, sepecially looking forward to Buy computer forensic A beginner's Guide.

Little Practical knowledge mostly theoretical

Good for absolute beginners, but not for network security professionals who have any experience in the field.

I love it. Mr. Elisan is a good teacher. Lars