This edition contains updated hacks and countermeasures throughout, including denial of service attacks, email attacks, viruses and web hacks. It also covers database security, Windows.NET Server, and Novell 5.

A revised and updated fourth edition, containing updated hacks and counter-measures including denial of service attacks, e-mail attacks, viruses and web hacks. Amazon.co.uk
Microsoft has finally decided to publicly support network security in Windows XP, a new area covered in the third edition of bestseller, Hacking Exposed. Other new coverage includes attacks on 802.11 wireless networks. But despite details of recent high-profile worms such as Code Red, most of the material is carried over pretty well unchanged from earlier editions.
The guts of Hacking Exposed remain devoted to explaining operating systems, switch and network vulnerabilities--used by the bad guys to get in--and how to remove them. The solutions--apart from the material on social engineering--can require an understanding of network and operating system protocols, user privileges, validation, encryption, file systems and other arcana--though the explanations supplied are detailed enough for the interested user to understand and apply firewalls, security patches, effective authentication and other effective security measures. The book is supported by a Web site and a CD stuffed with useful network analysis and other tools you can use to investigate and harden your own systems.

Hacking Exposed remains one of the most accessible books available on network security and the latest version is excellent. However, while new vulnerabilities continue to be found the basics remain the same. If Hacking Exposed were software the third edition would be a free upgrade for registered users. Even so, it should be compulsory reading for sysadmins everywhere. --Steve Patient