As this is an ACCU review I will not go into great detail. However, if you are reading this you are certainly a computer user and therefore in its target readership.

Being silly, I first confused 'White-Hat' with 'Redhat' and expected a book that was about security of Linux systems. Instead I found an excellent, well constructed and highly readable book on general aspects of computer security as pertains to the ordinary user, particularly ones that use the Internet.

Reading the first section of this book, three chapters grouped as ' Is There Really a Threat ' will motivate you to either read the rest, find an expert to manage your computer security or to stop using computers altogether.

I particularly enjoyed reading chapter 3 where the author covers major worm/trojan/virus events from 'The Morris Worm' to the 'Love Bug'. One thing that comes through clearly is how lucky we have been that early uses of intrusion techniques have been largely only mildly destructive.

One useful feature (for those with time on their hands) is the comprehensive lists of 'Further Reading' that appear at the ends of most chapters after the first three.

I wish books like this were unnecessary, but as they are, I think this is a good one to read.