Stealing the network
by Johnny Long, Tim Mullen, Ryan Russell · first published 2004
70% recommend30% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Fictional hacking short stories, each chapter written by a different working security professional. The collection is fun to read and offers an accessible introduction to security principles and the way hackers think.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
This is the final book in Syngress ground breaking, best-selling, Stealing the Network series. As with previous titles, How to Own a Shadow is a fictional story that demonstrates accurate, highly detailed scenarios of computer intrusions and counter-strikes. Knuth, the master-mind, shadowy figure from previous books, is tracked across the world and the Web by cyber adversaries with skill to match his own. Readers will be amazed at how Knuth, law enforcement, and organized crime twist and torque everything from game stations, printers, and fax machines to service provider class switches and rou
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
Related books
2010–2021Fatal System Error
Joseph Menn
Recommended by 6 · mentioned by 86 recommend · 8 mention6 recommend · 86 recommend
2012–2025Kingpin
Kevin Poulsen
Recommended by 13 · mentioned by 1913 recommend · 19 mention13 recommend · 1913 recommend
2011–2026Ghost in the wires
Kevin D. Mitnick
Recommended by 63 · mentioned by 8663 recommend · 86 mention63 recommend · 8663 recommend
2010–2026Freedom™
Daniel Suarez
Recommended by 60 · mentioned by 8260 recommend · 82 mention60 recommend · 8260 recommend
2007–2026The Cuckoo’s Egg
Clifford Stoll
Recommended by 205 · mentioned by 275205 recommend · 275 mention205 recommend · 275205 recommend
2007–2025Programming Collective Intelligence
Toby Segaran
Recommended by 86 · mentioned by 11986 recommend · 119 mention86 recommend · 11986 recommend
2008–2026Little Brother
Cory Doctorow
Recommended by 60 · mentioned by 12960 recommend · 129 mention60 recommend · 12960 recommend
2011–2026Reamde
Neal Stephenson
Recommended by 56 · mentioned by 14656 recommend · 146 mention56 recommend · 14656 recommend
"Stealing the network" series by Ryan Russel is awesome. - Stealing the Network: How to Own the Box - Stealing the Network: How to Own a Continent - Stealing the Network: How to Own an Identity - Stealing the Network:…
on “Ask HN: Recommendations of good cybercrime novels?” ↗I really enjoyed reading this book a fair few years ago on holiday "Stealing the network: how to own a continent" (http://www.amazon.com/Stealing-Network-How-Own-Continent/dp/...). Theres a few books in the series, they blend fiction with real security related attacks, its not strictly a…
on “Ask HN: Programming books to read while on vacation?” ↗The Soul of a New Machine by Tracy Kidder, the classic book following the development of a new minicomputer in the late 70s. http://www.amazon.com/Soul-New-Machine-Tracy-Kidder/dp/03164... Stealing The Network: How to Own the Box. This is a collection of fictional accounts of "hacking" written by hackers. Real world techniques are described though its in lightweight detail, the aim of the book is more to give…
on “Ask HN: What are some good, lightweight reads on computing?” ↗Stealing the network: The complete series This is an excellent collection of hacking fictions.
on “Ask HN: Techno Thriller Book Recommendation” ↗Cliff's book was my first introduction to cybersecurity - a fantastic read with principles that hold true today. Stealing the Network: The Complete Series Collector's Edition and Kevin Mitnick's books are also great.
on “Cliff Stoll, the mad scientist who wrote the book on how to hunt hackers (2019)” ↗This reminds me of an old story I read in an anthology called "Stealing the Network: How to Own the Box"; it was a series of modern-day hacking short stories loosely tied together through an overarching theme, and each chapter was written by a different professional in the security field.…
on “New SMB Worm Uses Seven NSA Hacking Tools, whilst WannaCry Used Just Two” ↗Reminds me of the book "Stealing the network - how to own a continent", it was a fun read back then... https://books.google.fr/books/about/Stealing_the_Network.htm...
on “The Biggest Digital Heist in History Isn’t Over Yet” ↗I'm looking for more books like the "Stealing the Network" series or the Jeff Aiken novels by Mark Russinovich. Books telling fictional stories about IT security and hacking using contemporary (or near-near future) believable (if not accurate) technology. It…
on “Ask HN: Books Like “Stealing the Network” or “Jeff Aiken Novels”” ↗For pleasure: Backbone.js Blueprints by Andrew Burgess For work: Stealing The Network, The complete series collectors edition
on “Ask HN: What are you reading?” ↗It also reminds me of the "Stealing the Network" book series. Every chapter was written by a notable IT security person and features real technology and techniques. At times it reads like Phrack or the hacking account of Phineas Fisher. The protagonist's…
on “Eyes Everywhere: Encryption programmer Paul Le Roux and his commando kill squad” ↗AFAIK one of the authors dropped a 0-day in one of the Stealing the Network books, back in the day.
on “Mr Robot S02E01 easter egg” ↗