Rating: 
Summary: It messed my mind and then changed it
Review: I haven't read a true techno thriller like this since Tracy Kidder's "The Soul of a New Machine." This book speaks to us in the computer business. We are the characters on display. I found myself being measured by the unfolding events since I am guilty of some of the same judgement calls. I found myself not measuring up. I found myself deciding to tighten up. I had not wanted to believe that the events of this book are possible. I still hope that at least some of them prove to be exaggerations
Rating:
Summary: A facinating book
Review: I was facinated by this book, and the way that one kid broke into so many systems. It gives you a little insight into how hackers do what they do, and what is done about it. People that aren't interested in computers might not find this book so interesting, however, but if you are, but it!
Rating:
Summary: Finally! An quality Internet vulnerabilty expose
Review: I was frankly impressed. I've seen several
non-starters that attempted to communicate what
happens to Sysadmins in real life. Cliff Stoll
had some clues in "The Cuckoo's Egg", but these
two authors really did their homework assiduously. The tale hangs together surprisingly well, given what they were not able to confirm from the sources available to them. The demonstration of knowledge of Unix vulnerabilities and expertise is
really top-notch. It should be required reading for sysadmin wanne-be's! Very even-tempered treatment of topics like CERTs and criminal investigation agencies. What impressed me the most was the careful presentation of technical Unix lore, without talking down to the layperson but not skimping on the needed detail either. An impressive publication; certainly a candidate to become a classic in the lore of the Internet!
Rating:
Summary: There are two ways to read this book!
Review: If you are a SysAdmin, you'd probably read this book as a simple thriller about internet (always with the idea that the history is true), and if you're just a simple reader, try to learn some stuff from this book and you're gonna like Unix a little bit more.
Rating:
Summary: How big is this database
Review: If you were stupid enough to buy this book return it and get your money back. You can hack a cash register too don't you know. I feel sorry for the guy who bought it with a credit card on-line. Later Gator, The Hackmaster
Rating: 
Summary: A good start for those interested in Cybercrime
Review: In the spirit of Clifford Stoll's "The Cuckoo Egg," that detailed the hacking episodes of the German Chaos Computer Club in the late 80's, At Large is the true story of a computer hacker. The book, a fast-paced thriller, tells the real-life story of how a young man, with marginal intellectual capabilities, yet extremely tenacious and resolute, was able to penetrate hundreds of academic, financial, government, commercial and military computer networks. The hacker who became known as "Phantom Dialer," started his two year hacking escapade by reeking havoc on the network at the Portland State University in Oregon in 1991. Once into the Portland State network, his used that site as a stepping stone to networks across the globe. At around the same time that Phantom Dialer was causing damage, the FBI was starting its computer crime squad. While almost as persistent in catching Phantom Dialer as the Phantom Dialer was anonymous, the dedicated members of the computer crime squad felt that while their efforts were valiant, it was nonetheless just a drop in the water, compared to the thousands of other hackers out there. After a wire tap where the squad was able to determine who Phantom Dialer was, and where his base location was, the squad decided to raid Phantom Dialer's house, arrest him, and seize his computer equipment. Once inside the house with a warrant, a rather humorous incident occurred. The squad members went to Phantom Dialer's room and announced "Open up -- FBI!", Phantom Dialer replied "Shut up Steve (his brother), Do you think that I'm going to fall for that trick again?". Phantom Dialer was arrested and jailed. But due to his mental condition (borderline schizophrenic), prosecutors decided that they would not attempt to indict him since they felt that he could not truly understand the implications of his action. Given that, prosecutors felt that no jury would have convicted him. At Large is a good starting point for anyone interested in understanding how hackers operate. Written in a clear fashion, using technical jargon only when necessary, At Large makes for some interesting reading.
Rating:
Summary: A good start for those interested in Cybercrime
Review: In the spirit of Clifford Stoll's "The Cuckoo Egg," that detailed the hacking episodes of the German Chaos Computer Club in the late 80's, At Large is the true story of a computer hacker. The book, a fast-paced thriller, tells the real-life story of how a young man, with marginal intellectual capabilities, yet extremely tenacious and resolute, was able to penetrate hundreds of academic, financial, government, commercial and military computer networks. The hacker who became known as "Phantom Dialer," started his two year hacking escapade by reeking havoc on the network at the Portland State University in Oregon in 1991. Once into the Portland State network, his used that site as a stepping stone to networks across the globe. At around the same time that Phantom Dialer was causing damage, the FBI was starting its computer crime squad. While almost as persistent in catching Phantom Dialer as the Phantom Dialer was anonymous, the dedicated members of the computer crime squad felt that while their efforts were valiant, it was nonetheless just a drop in the water, compared to the thousands of other hackers out there. After a wire tap where the squad was able to determine who Phantom Dialer was, and where his base location was, the squad decided to raid Phantom Dialer's house, arrest him, and seize his computer equipment. Once inside the house with a warrant, a rather humorous incident occurred. The squad members went to Phantom Dialer's room and announced "Open up -- FBI!", Phantom Dialer replied "Shut up Steve (his brother), Do you think that I'm going to fall for that trick again?". Phantom Dialer was arrested and jailed. But due to his mental condition (borderline schizophrenic), prosecutors decided that they would not attempt to indict him since they felt that he could not truly understand the implications of his action. Given that, prosecutors felt that no jury would have convicted him. At Large is a good starting point for anyone interested in understanding how hackers operate. Written in a clear fashion, using technical jargon only when necessary, At Large makes for some interesting reading.
Rating:
Summary: A good start for those interested in Cybercrime
Review: In the spirit of Clifford Stoll's "The Cuckoo Egg," that detailed the hacking episodes of the German Chaos Computer Club in the late 80's, At Large is the true story of a computer hacker. The book, a fast-paced thriller, tells the real-life story of how a young man, with marginal intellectual capabilities, yet extremely tenacious and resolute, was able to penetrate hundreds of academic, financial, government, commercial and military computer networks. The hacker who became known as "Phantom Dialer," started his two year hacking escapade by reeking havoc on the network at the Portland State University in Oregon in 1991. Once into the Portland State network, his used that site as a stepping stone to networks across the globe. At around the same time that Phantom Dialer was causing damage, the FBI was starting its computer crime squad. While almost as persistent in catching Phantom Dialer as the Phantom Dialer was anonymous, the dedicated members of the computer crime squad felt that while their efforts were valiant, it was nonetheless just a drop in the water, compared to the thousands of other hackers out there. After a wire tap where the squad was able to determine who Phantom Dialer was, and where his base location was, the squad decided to raid Phantom Dialer's house, arrest him, and seize his computer equipment. Once inside the house with a warrant, a rather humorous incident occurred. The squad members went to Phantom Dialer's room and announced "Open up -- FBI!", Phantom Dialer replied "Shut up Steve (his brother), Do you think that I'm going to fall for that trick again?". Phantom Dialer was arrested and jailed. But due to his mental condition (borderline schizophrenic), prosecutors decided that they would not attempt to indict him since they felt that he could not truly understand the implications of his action. Given that, prosecutors felt that no jury would have convicted him. At Large is a good starting point for anyone interested in understanding how hackers operate. Written in a clear fashion, using technical jargon only when necessary, At Large makes for some interesting reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Be Afraid...be very afraid
Review: It is not often I reread a book but this was well worth it. It is the true story of a "cracker" who set about trying to break into computer networks and how people from system administrators to the FBI try to stop him. Written in the style of a thriller, you are swept along in amazement at the exploits of the cracker. If this doesn't alter your view of internet security nothing will. On the down side it becomes a chore trying to keep all the players straight in one's head, it is indeed a cast of many. Although somewhat geeky at times and it does help to have some background in computer networking it won't prevent you from enjoying what is surely the most bizarre story of internet hacking you will read.
Rating:
Summary: Be Afraid...be very afraid
Review: It is not often I reread a book but this was well worth it. It is the true story of a "cracker" who set about trying to break into computer networks and how people from system administrators to the FBI try to stop him. Written in the style of a thriller, you are swept along in amazement at the exploits of the cracker. If this doesn't alter your view of internet security nothing will. On the down side it becomes a chore trying to keep all the players straight in one's head, it is indeed a cast of many. Although somewhat geeky at times and it does help to have some background in computer networking it won't prevent you from enjoying what is surely the most bizarre story of internet hacking you will read.
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