Espionage & Investigation: Computer Books, Videos

Be warned: If you don't like our quest for freedom in cyberspace, or if you have a broken funny bone, stay away from this former Loompanics book - it will just make you mad. Is this book a one-stop school for computer criminals or a solid piece of work on crime prevention? What it is, is the best hacking book ever written, now completely revised, expanded and updated. The author says "To become a Uberhacker, you learn from other hackers - the real hacker type - not criminals. You learn by experimenting on your own computers and the computers of hackers who invite you to play war games with them. You learn by watching them do amazing things to your computer. By lifting each other up through this process of play and experimentation, you can eventually learn how to break into almost any computer, or secure it from almost any attack." For academic study only
$45.00
Softcover 978-1-55950-239-9 370 pages 8.5" x 11" illustrations

A rare glimpse into how Soviet Spetsnaz and KGB units protected and defended their country from perceived enemies – inside and outside its borders. Includes special sections for Alpha Teams on assassination, sabotage and kidnapping.
$24.00
Softcover 978-1-58160-631-7 160 pages 8.5" x 11" photos, illust.

Disk Detective is designed to bring the secrets of information recovery to the average person. In it, the author shows PIs, parents, teachers, business owners and law enforcement professionals what types of information can be recovered from IBM-compatible personal computers and how. He includes step-by-step instructions for:

* recovering information from reformatted disks or overwritten files
* retrieving deleted files
* discovering passwords
* retracing visited Internet files
* locating e-mail messages and more
$20.00
Softcover 978-0-87364-992-6 112 pages 5.5" x 8.5" illustrations

A computer doesn't have to be expensive – in fact, it can be absolutely free! James MacLaren has written the perfect guide for beginners who want to plunge into the weird and wonderful world of scrounging, assembling and really understanding computers. He captures the joys of discovery and experimentation in this entertaining, freestyle guide to finding the parts (and used computers and parts are everywhere) and then figuring out what to do with them. MacLaren demystifies the confusing tangle of computer innards – motherboards, CPUs, jumpers, cards and cables – as well as formatting, operating systems and all that other stuff you were afraid to ask about. And since all the components are free, you'll have no fear of ruining expensive stuff as you learn how it all fits together (and, OK, sometimes doesn't).

This enlightened approach is designed to give you enough guidance to allow you to find out a thing or two by yourself, without having to take somebody else's word for it. If you've ever wished for a plain-English explanation of why computers do what they do, wanted to jump into computers but didn't know where to start or seen a computer on the curb on trash day and wondered if it was worth a look, this is the perfect nothing-to-lose, what does this thing do? Wow! Eureka! guide to getting the pieces, putting them together and getting them to act like a real computer.

James MacLaren bought his first computer in 1990 and has never bought one since. Working with free machines for his entire computing career has given him a very different perspective on computer operations, maintenance and repair, and has taught him all sorts of real-world arcana at an accelerated rate. Jim cobbles together machines from giveaway parts just for laughs and then gives them away to people who need them.
$10.00
Softcover 978-1-58160-455-9 176 pages 5.5" x 8.5" photos

We are fast approaching a time when all our private communications will be monitored as a matter of course – just in case we might have some criminal intent, politically incorrect thought or uncommon belief. The files we store on our home or work computers and the messages we send over the Internet are fair game for those who would snoop into and record our private lives. The only way most of us can reclaim a modicum of privacy is through file encryption and security programs designed to keep prying eyes away from our secrets. Fortunately, there are many programs that are not only incredibly effective in guarding our privacy but are available absolutely free of charge. In this book, Michael Chesbro (The Complete Guide to E-Security, Privacy for Sale) outlines some of the most popular freeware encryption and security programs available. You will learn how to determine which programs are best for you, how to securely destroy files and the advantages of file sharing. The cost of using these programs is zero. But if you don't learn to use them, it could cost you your privacy or even your freedom.

Michael Chesbro is a senior counterintelligence agent with the U.S. Department of Defense. He holds degrees in security management, paralegal studies and jurisprudence, and is a graduate of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. He is professionally certified as a protection officer and as a security supervisor by the International Foundation for Protection Officers. He is a board-certified forensic examiner and a fellow of the American College of Forensic Examiners, as well as a diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Examiners and the American Board of Law Enforcement Experts.
$10.00
Softcover 978-1-58160-270-8 96 pages 5.5" x 8.5" illustrations