Reviews

Sadly, this is a compendium of other peoples work. There are better sources for this information.

This book is the most well written and thorough book I have read on the subject. These guys know what hey are talking about!

This is one of the silliest books I have ever read. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME!!!

Having some experience in counter-terrorism, as I read through the updated introduction to the latest edition of "Surveillance Countermeasures" I was struck by how applicable this instruction is to the emergent new-age threat we face. It is an unfortunate reality, but the realists among us understand that we have entered a dangerous stage in our society wherein we are not far from a relatively chaotic time to include a wide proliferation of suicide vest and vehicle bombing attacks in the streets of the US, Canada, and Europe. Based on terrorist doctrine and the post-event examination of terrorist operations, we know that two of the primary stages in the terrorist operational process are "Intelligence and Surveillance" and "Pre-attack Surveillance and Planning". Target surveillance activity is arguably the most important portion of the terrorist attack cycle. This also represents the periods during which terrorist operatives are exposed and at their greatest risk of detection. Regardless of the internet research resources and technical stand-off surveillance capabilities, actual "eyes-on" surveillance remains a critical aspect of pre-operational planning, and places terrorist operatives in their most vulnerable positions. Therefore, the identification of terrorist surveillance efforts prior to final mission execution is the most effective means of threat detection and neutralization. Terrorist operatives and other such bad actors who conduct physical surveillance to facilitate their activities, however, operate under the hope and assumption that they are operating against unwitting, unaware, and non-surveillance conscious targets. Therefore, an awareness of the threat and the ability to perform surveillance detection and anti-surveillance are critical to countering these adversarial efforts. This book demonstrates the techniques to effectively counter the most sophisticated physical surveillance methods employed by traditional adversaries. Interestingly, the most notorious terrorist training manual that is widely available over the internet has a chapter that deals largely with the methods of physical surveillance that are a regurgitation of the time-proven techniques that are common to the world's most sophisticated practitioners of surveillance. Coincidentally, "Surveillance Countermeasures" details exacting and effective methods to counter each of the specific methods endorsed in this and other known terrorist training resources. I do not want to be misleading by implying that this book is written specifically to address the terrorist threat. However, it is widely applicable to the terrorist threat and the myriad criminal enterprises that endeavor to develop the information necessary to effectively execute violent attacks and assassinations as a means to achieve their operational objectives. And of course, it remains an unparalleled resource for investigators and counter-espionage professionals, as well as those responsible for VIP or critical asset protection.

The title to this book says it all literally. I was skeptical at first and I thought the title was just hype to sell the book but after reading half of it in one setting, I was totally wrong. For the average guy with basic knowledge on the subject, this book is sure to build on that. What I love most about this book is when you read about countermeasures and all that stuff you also learn about the measures taken by operators. It's all how you read the book. This book is very detailed and amusing at the same time. The things people plan against you are very well thought out. The countermeasures are also genius. Once again, the title holds great justice to the material inside. Furthermore, the tactics in this book are still being used today if this helps you when debating on purchasing this book.

Reviews

Secrets of Computer Espionage: by Joel McNamara is a must for any PC user.This book is worth reading, it stresses the vulnerabilities and threats that so many people overlook it also explains the evolution of spy tactics, network eavesdropping and provide some countermeasures as well. I don't know how I survive in the computer world for so long without this book, it is one of my favourites,I take it with me almost everywhere I go. This book is very thought-provoking, as a computer technician and Law enforcement officer this book is very valuable to me, it helps you to getinto the minds of identity thieves. I highly recommend this book, it is worth buying.

Secrets of Computer Espionage: by Joel McNamara is a must for any PC user. Staffed with so many examples (with a conversational funny tone) the book does a really good job. The book stresses the vulnerabilities and threats, explains in details the evolution of spy tactics, network eavesdropping and provide countermeasures as well. It's good to know what's around us and be in the know! Recommend **** Guzman, Dror

Judging from the title, Secrets of Computer Espionage: Tactics and Countermeasures would appear to be geared to governments, security agencies, or high-level corporations. In fact, as the author makes clear, anyone with an Internet connection is a potential target of online espionage-even by such "mundane" means as viruses, worms, and phishing attacks-and this book is addressed to that huge audience. Just who is spying on whom? The author explains that the typical person might be a target of bosses, friends, family members, hackers, and many others. Even people with nothing confidential or of value on their computers risk getting caught up in espionage and other cyber capers. For instance, hackers can use their computers as vehicles for staging attacks or as a location for storing illicit files, such as child pornography. And as more cell phones and PDAs connect to the Internet, the risks multiply. What may be disturbing to some readers is that every computer device and peripheral provides at least one avenue of attack. The author explains many of these schemes, such as keystroke loggers and cleartext file transfers via file transfer protocol (FTP). In addition, operating-system and application-level vulnerabilities constitute even more ways that systems can be compromised. Despite the grim picture painted by the author, the book isn't intended to make readers paranoid, but rather to acquaint them with the many risks posed by the Internet. This excellent book shows that someone quite possibly is out to get you, but it provides the tools to protect yourself.

The "Secrets of Computer Espionage" by Joel McNamara unveils what every PC user should know before they hop on to the internet Bandwagon. If you can read this review, then you need to purchase this book. Cyber Crime is the number one precursor to identity theft and the simple thruth is -- Internet Security is YOUR responsibility. Joel McNamara makes you walk a mile in the bad guys shoes, forcing you to see both sides of the story. You will learn the real threats behind internet worms (such as Sasser) and trojan horses (like MyDoom). Discover why Windows(tm) isn't safe and learn who's after your PII (Personally Identifiable Information). View the world through the eyes of an internet private eye and see that everything really is an open book, it just depends on where you look. Let Joel be your guide. Buy the ticket, take the ride... then go to www.pcpitbull.com and see what's really inside.

You and your computer face a dizzying array of security threats, writes tech consultant Joel McNamara. Competitors, cops, crooks and even disgruntled kin would love a peek at your hard drive. But don't hyperventilate just yet. If you calmly analyze the desirability and vulnerability of your secrets, you can figure out how to protect yourself. McNamara's prose is surprisingly clear given the degree of difficulty of his topic, and he offers a number of useful sidebars, charts and examples from inside the tech business to juice up his instructional tome. We suggest this practical book to managers charged with protecting corporate data, and to people who are unsure just how safe their computers are.

Reviews

Combining historical fact, a history of a part of the "bugging" industry, this work brings the reader a true story (and a bit of a rant against the FBI, though well justified)of a man and the developments he pioneered in what we today call the covert surveillance industry -- better known in conversations around the water fountain as "bugging." Even if you know nothing about technology, this one-man's creative inventions and his lengthy and expensive fight against the FBI's attempt to damage him after he gave true and accurate testimony to Congress about his dealings with the FBI make for a truly excellent read!

Mr. Kaiser walks it like he talks it, and he doesn't write any stuff that he can't back up in this book. I've read this book over six times and each time I get more out of. Mr. Kaiser gives us a glimpse of the operations of the "beltway bandits". Small electronic manufacturers that exist almost solely to and are vital to fulfill our government's special needs. Also you get a view of the import export dance. The who gets what this week. If you google some of the names you meet in this book you'll see some nasty characters, some famous and infamous. This book is way better than a spy fiction book because it is real. An interesting portion of this tome deals with Mr. Kaiser's battle with the government and privacy. The cold war, spook stuff is more interesting, but it's all good. There's stuff in here you won't find written about anywhere else. The people who gave this book a bad review didn't read it and or had a bone to pick with Mr. Kaiser. Succinctly put, this book rocks!

Wow, this Book is awesome and highly recommended to all TSCM. As a private detective and certified TSCM I found this book very informative, educational and profoundly interesting. Well written and documented with all the methodologies of the cover-ops of the Agencies. The book is also detailed with awesome technical knowledge of Eavesdroppers and Countermeasure applications. The present state of affairs in obtaining business intelligence has become a routine by companies in order to intercept competitors data and this book discloses all the clandestine methods and applications!

After reading just a few chapters, it's apparent that Marty is one of those arrogant people who believe they are never the problem, it's always everybody else! Being familiar with some mentioned in Marty's 'story', it's imperative that readers know that this tale is NOT an accurate portrayl of events! The only constant in this book is that everyone is always doubting him, his wife, his attorney's, the government, his friends, and when Marty could hold no ground with his petty counter-suit against the agents, HIS OWN representation settled! Against "his wishes" of course. Nobody has doubted Marty's technical ability, it's his character that's always and will always, be in question.

Not everyone get into legal problems with the government. Some people who do get into a battle with the government have their own distinctive ideas of what is right and what is wrong, regardless of what the law actually says. Mr. Kaiser strikes me as being in this group. He's capitalized on it with a book that was optioned for a movie. Pity is that the story is a tad unbelievable, very focused on Mr. Kaiser and distinctly one-sided. Yes, Kaiser claims to have done a lot of work with the FBI and CIA. Needless to say they're the bad guys and he's the one with the white hat. Actually it seems that neither side was without guilt and the truth would have made this a more compelling book. In short, all of this is a bit Andy Warhohlish . . . Mr. Kaiser is getting his 15 minutes of fame. The last chapter ("The Future of Privacy in America -- Or What's Left of It") is a joke. Here's a guy who has made his living ferreting out information and now he claims "[p]rivacy in America these days is an illusion." Well, Mr. Kaiser, "privacy" has always been an illusion. As long as someone else knows something about you, it is not private. Most of this chapter is an ill-informed attack on law enforcement and a pandering to paranoia. The business, financial, educational, credit and health information on every US citizen is, for better or worse, an open book to those with the knowledge to access the information. To some extent, it has always been this way as anyone who has ever lived in a small town knows. The information age has made it easier, but in reality little has changed. Overall, this is a mildly entertaining book about one man's troubles that contains a dollop of interesting tech information. Not the worst; not the best. Jerry