In the current world it is hard to reach our own conclusions. We are surrounded by hype and spin. Exactly what is happening in the darkside of the world of IT. We see things like estimates that the Love Bug worm cost $7 billion worldwide. Is that reasonable? The stated intent of this book is to educate the reader so that they will have a basic grasp of such things as viruses, Trojans, hacking etc. The author is not directly concerned with major computer crime. What he does cover, such as mechanisms for getting hold of passwords (for example by persuading people to change their passwords to one you provide) are the tools used both by vandals and serious crime.

I found this a highly readable book.