Cybersecurity is now expanding at a phenomenal rate. This is creating a good amount of employment opportunities in the cybersecurity industry. A few books can aid you in making your learning process successful if you are interested in learning cybersecurity. These books can help you learn new concepts and find answers to your cybersecurity-related issues.
Good cyber security books convey learnings from instances and real-world scenarios that experts may apply. The best ones are the ones that teach us what to watch out for so that we are ready to guard against becoming victims of hackers.
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Cyber Security, as a field, offers immense growth potential to anyone who is highly motivated and has a never-ending interest in technology. With the help of these Cyber Security books, you can get some tips to support a successful Cyber Security career.
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1. Hacking: The Art of Exploitation
There are many hackers out there who are busy finding unconventional solutions to challenging problems and exploiting holes in sloppy programs. But only a few of them know how to push the envelope. When it comes to learning Ethical Hacking, Hacking: The Art of Exploitation, 2nd edition, is one of the best Cyber Security books. As the name says, this is the second edition, published in 2008 and the first one in 2003.
Unlike other ethical hacking books, the book gives an insight into the world of problem-solving and exploitation, a holistic view of programming, network communications, and current hacking techniques, rather than walking through the use cases. The best part about the books is that it comes with a CD providing you with a complete Linux and debugging environment to help you get your hands dirty with programming without compromising your present operating system.
- Author: Jon Erickson
- Goodreads rating: 4.2/5.0
- Buy it here
2. Penetration Testing: A Hands-On Introduction to Hacking
The book, written by security researcher and trainer Georgia Weidman, teaches about every aspiring pentester’s primary skills. An ideal choice for beginners and inspiring hackers, the book teaches about the basics of programming and navigating Kali Linux—an operating system—preloaded with computer security tools like Wireshark and Metasploit. The book also discusses some advanced topics like mobile device security and bypassing antivirus software. You will discuss how to crack passwords and wireless network keys with brute force attacks and wordlists, test web applications for vulnerabilities, automate social-engineering attacks, bypass antivirus software, etc.
- Author: Georgia Weidman
- Goodreads rating: 4.2/5.0
- Buy it here
3. The Art of Invisibility: The World’s Most Famous Hacker Teaches You How to Be Safe in the Age of Big Brother and Big Data
The book author is the world’s famous hacker who once gave top agencies, including the FBI, a run for their money – Kevin Mitnick. In the present age, your every swipe, tap and click on phone/tabloid/computer is being watched and analyzed. Through this book, the author (or I should say a former most-wanted hacker) wants to teach you about online and offline ways to protect you from cyber-attacks. It also tells about effortless yet easy cloaking and counter-measures for citizens and consumers in the age of Big Data. This book is about maintaining an anonymous identity on protecting your identity, private information, health, and money from hackers. He also talks about some techniques you need to maximize privacy in the modern age.
- Author: Kevin Mitnick
- Goodreads rating: 4.0/5.0
- Buy it here
4. Cyber Wars: Hacks that Shocked the Business World
This easy-to-read yet non-technical book is all about some of the dangerous cyberattacks in recent years. The book is an ideal resource for learners who want to know the concepts of information security and looking for examples on how to communicate security practices to non-technical management and end-users. Author Charles Arthur has used his storytelling skills to narrate a gripping account of some of the biggest and most frightening cybercrimes that a person with non-technical knowledge could understand. The books also tell about techniques used, the consequences, and preventive measures.
- Author: Charles Arthur
- Goodreads rating: 4.1/5.0
- Buy it here
5. Metasploit: The Penetration Tester’s Guide
The book, quite famous amongst beginners, is written assuming that the learners have zero experience in penetration testing and commences with a brief history of Metasploit and how to install it as the tool [Metasploit] is hard to grasp for first-time users. This book makes the process of discovering, exploiting, and sharing vulnerabilities easy. You will also build your foundation in penetration testing. And once that is done, advanced penetration techniques, such as network reconnaissance and enumeration, client-side attacks, wireless attacks, and targeted social-engineering attacks, can be learned through this book. The book is an ideal source of knowledge for learners with good technical skills in Ruby and Linux.
- Author: David Kennedy
- Goodreads rating: 4.1/5.0
- Buy it here
6. Practical Malware Analysis: The Hands-On Guide to Dissecting Malicious Software
According to an article by Computerweekly, the average ransom paid by victim organizations, which was $115,123 (€96,666/£82,788) in 2019 in Europe, the US, and Canada, has almost trebled to $312,493 in 2020. For all those who don’t know, when Malware attacks breach your defences, you need to quickly act on stopping the action and even make a plan. And this book helps you to do just that by teaching you tools and techniques applied by professional analysts to safely analyze, debug, and disassemble any malicious software that comes your way. This book teaches you how to use primary analysis like IDA Pro, OllyDbg, and WinDbg. You will also learn how to crack open malware, determine its damage, thoroughly clean your network, and ensure that the malware never comes back through the hands-on lab. The book is, in a way, written to make you beginners in the field professional.
- Author: Michael Sikorski
- Goodreads rating: 4.5/5.0
- Buy it here
7. Social Engineering: The Science of Human Hacking
This book provides insights on an overview of social engineering techniques, explains how they work, and gives the reader plenty of real-world examples to back it all up. The book unravelled the mystery in social engineering by covering all its aspects, such as elicitation, pretexting, influence and manipulation, and explained by using real-world examples. The author explains how to use the most commonly used technique that can even fool the person with the most robust security personnel. Not only this. You could also discover techniques that never work in the real world. The book also came up with a second edition that included all the most current methods by sharing stories, examples, etc.
- Author: Christopher Hadnagy
- Goodreads rating: 3.8/5.0
- Buy it here
8. Applied Cryptography: Protocols, Algorithms, and Source Code in C
For all those who don’t know, the application of cryptography techniques goes beyond coding and decoding information. For developers who want to learn more about cryptographic techniques, there’s no better overview than Applied Cryptography, as it covers protocols, procedures, and real-world cryptographic algorithms. The book also includes extensive advice on cryptography implementation’s practical aspects. This book is approximately 25 years old, and presently, you can find its 20th Anniversary Edition, which is the most definitive reference on cryptography ever published.
- Author: Bruce Schneier
- Goodreads rating: 4.2/5.0
- Buy it here
10. Ghost in the Wires: My Adventures as the World’s Most Wanted Hacker
Ghost in the Wires is a genuine story that feels stranger than fiction, in contrast to the preceding one. Mitnick talks about his experience breaking into some of the most prestigious companies in the world, including Motorola, Pacific Bell, and Sun Microsystems.
You can think of it as the autobiography of a master hacker who started out as a beginner IT worker before rising to become the most infamous hacker in the world with the FBI hot on his trail. Ghost in the Wires is a book that is just ready to be made into a cyber-thriller that will fill movie theatres.
- Author: Kevin Mitnick
- Goodreads rating: 3.9/5.0
- Buy it here
11. The Code Book: The Science of Secrecy from Ancient Egypt to Quantum Cryptography
Simon Singh provides his readers a wonderful book that chronicles the full history of encryption going back to Ancient Egypt. You did hear correctly. According to Simon, the ancient Egyptian espionage techniques and the scriptures can be linked to the roots of the cyber security procedures we value today.
The book goes into great detail to explain how encryption has influenced the world as we know it. Encryption can be credited for everything, from the e-commerce sector’s beginning to the overreaching Nazi regime.
In “The Code Book,” the term “encryption” is given historical context and connected to numerous illustrious historical figures and events. By the time you reach the last page, you will be astounded and in wonder.
- Author: Simon Singh
- Goodreads rating: 4.7/5.0
- Buy it here
12. Threat Modeling: Designing for Security
Now here is a book that is more useful for cybersecurity professionals like developers and managers than casual readers. It outlines several threat modelling best practices that have been used or shown successfully in fending off threats for well-known corporations like Microsoft.
It puts out the intriguing notion of incorporating security into systems as they are being designed instead of dealing with it later. Adam’s recommendations are entirely action-oriented and something that security professionals can use to deal with threats on a regular basis.
- Author: Adam Shostack
- Goodreads rating: 4.1/5.0
- Buy it here
13. Black Hat Python: Python Programming for Hackers and Pentesters
Python is the language of choice for many exploit frameworks; by using GitHub, you will discover how to build a trojan command-and-control system, recognise sandboxing, and automate typical malware functions.
You’ll learn about Python’s more sinister features in this book, including how to infect virtual computers, write network sniffers, make stealthy trojans, etc.
The basics of networking, online applications, windows privilege escalation techniques, and other topics are covered in this book.
- Author: Justin Seitz
- Goodreads rating: 4.0/5.0
- Buy it here
14. The Cyber Effect
A pioneering investigation of how cyberspace is transforming the way we think, feel, and conduct,” according to the description of The Cyber Effect. The information is based on Aiken’s work with international law enforcement organisations as a forensic cyber-psychologist. Another interesting fact? Her work served as the model for the hit television programme SCI: Cyber!
- Author: Mary Aiken
- Goodreads rating: 3.7/5.0
- Buy it here
15. How to Measure Anything in Cyber Security Risk
The shortcomings of popular cyber risk management techniques are examined in How to Measure Anything in Cyber Security Risk. The authors demonstrate how urgently the sector needs to enhance its current security processes and provide insights and alternative methods for doing that.
- Author: Douglas W. Hubbard
- Goodreads rating: 4.1/5.0
- Buy it here
16. Click Here to Kill Everybody: Security and Survival in a Hyper-Connected World
A startling examination of the risks associated with the global deployment of “smart” devices is presented in the book Click Here to Kill Everybody. The book explores the underlying forces that contribute to the growing list of security flaws we’re seeing in IoT technologies, going beyond simply discussing the implications of such hyperconnected devices.
- Author: Bruce Schneier
- Goodreads rating: 3.8/5.0
- Buy it here
17. Hacking Exposed 7: Network Security Secrets and Solutions
Three cybersecurity specialists who have studied hacking from an academic and scholarly standpoint have prepared this book. Everything from footprinting to reading the countermeasures manual is covered in depth.
We all know that the world of cybersecurity is incredibly unstable, with some ideas becoming less relevant while others becoming more important. The one accurate cyber security book that provides the right perspective is called “Hacking Exposed.” a book that is regularly updated with new versions to keep its readers abreast of contemporary advancements in the subject.
- Authors: George Kurtz, Joel Scambray, and Stuart McClure
- Goodreads rating: 5.0/5.0
- Buy it here
18. Cybersecurity Essentials
One of those books on cyber security that introduces readers to the “need-to-knows” of the sector is Cybersecurity Essentials. Real-world examples and explanations of key ideas aid in preparing them for certification exams.
- Author: Charles J. Brooks
- Goodreads rating: 4.1/5.0
- Buy it here
19. The Pentester Blueprint
Look no further if you want a brand-new cyber security book that has just come out of print. A comprehensive look at the world of white hat hacker operations may be found in The Pentester BluePrint. This book, which was just released in November 2020, is a resource for learning how to pursue a career in penetration testing. It explores basic and advanced topics that are pertinent to the job and helps you assess your current skills and knowledge.
- Author: Phillip L. Wylie
- Goodreads rating: 4.2/5.0
- Buy it here
20. The Hacker and the State
The Hacker and the State is a chillingly perceptive and realistic examination of how cyber warfare and information security affect the geopolitical landscape. It covers significant nation-state cyberattacks and is replete with anecdotes and insightful information obtained from declassified data, reports, and interviews.
- Author: Ben Buchanan
- Goodreads rating: 4.2/5.0
- Buy it here
21. Cult of the dead cow
It was published in 2018 and tells the story of the Cult of the Dead Cow, one of the most well-known and longest-lived hacking groups in the world. The book explores the group’s history, their role in the development of hacking culture, and their ongoing efforts to promote social and political change.
- Author: Joseph Menn
- Goodreads Rating: 3.8/5.0
- Buy it here
22. The CERT Guide to Insider Threat
The book provides an overview of the insider threat problem, including its scope, impact, and potential harm to organizations. It also provides guidance on how to develop a comprehensive insider threat program, including information on how to identify, assess, and mitigate the risk of insider threats. The book is intended for a wide range of readers, including information security professionals, IT managers, and corporate executives.
- Authors: Dawn M. Cappelli, Andrew P. Moore, Randall F. Trzeciak
- Goodreads Rating: 3.8/5.0
- Buy it here
23. The Hacker Playbook 3: Practical Guide To Penetration Testing
The book covers various topics such as reconnaissance, scanning and enumeration, vulnerability assessment, and exploitation. It also covers post-exploitation activities such as maintaining access, lateral movement, and data exfiltration. The book is intended for both beginners and experienced penetration testers who want to improve their skills and techniques.
- Author: Peter Kim
- Goodreads Rating: 4.4/5.0
- Buy it here
24. The Web Application Hacker’s Handbook
The book covers a wide range of topics, including information gathering, attack techniques, and countermeasures. It is considered a “must-have” resource for web application security professionals, penetration testers, and anyone interested in learning about the security of web applications.
- Author: Dafydd Stuttard
- Goodreads Rating: 4.2 /5.0
- Buy it here
25. Gray Hat Hacking
The book provides a comprehensive guide to the techniques and tools used by “gray hat” hackers, who are ethical hackers that use the same techniques as malicious hackers to find and exploit vulnerabilities in computer systems, but do so with the goal of improving security rather than causing harm. The book covers a wide range of topics, including information gathering, attack techniques, and countermeasures. It also provides tips and techniques for conducting ethical hacking, and is considered a valuable resource for security professionals, penetration testers, and anyone interested in learning about the field of ethical hacking.
- Author: Allen Harper
- Goodreads Rating:4.1 /5.0
- Buy it here
26. Mastering Hacking
The book presents a straightforward approach to hacking, suitable for readers with varying levels of technical expertise. It covers the newest tools and methods used in Penetration Testing Framework, and teaches how to identify and fix security weaknesses and safeguard assets on a network. The book also features extensive examples of different hacking techniques in real-world scenarios and serves as a guide for taking concrete steps in information security.
- Author: Harsh Bothra
- Goodreads Rating: 4.4/ 5.0
- Buy it here
Conclusion
As the world slowly opens up and the virus seems to have no end, reading these Cyber Security books might give you a different perspective to approach a problem. Apart from these, there are many more books out there that can help you in your Cyber Security learning journey.
You can also enrol in the Cyber Security Program, which will acquaint you with all the necessary skills to become a cybersecurity expert.
Reading these Cyber Security books gives a better understanding of Cyber Security fundamentals. In the present age of digital advancement, these Cyber Security books can help you understand the basics, history, and current scenarios of the tech world.
