One of the well - known best hacking novels is 'Neuromancer' by William Gibson. It's a classic in the cyberpunk genre that features a lot of hacking - related elements and really set the stage for many other works in this area.
A great nonfiction hacking novel often has a real - life, engaging story. For example, if it's an autobiography of a hacker like 'Ghost in the Wires', the author's personal experiences are full of drama and intrigue. Their encounters with law enforcement, their hacks, and how they thought about security all make for a captivating read.
One of the top stories might be about the use of social engineering in hacking. Hackers often trick people into giving away sensitive information. For instance, they might pose as IT support and ask for passwords. Another could be about the constant battle between hackers and antivirus software developers. As hackers develop new malware, the antivirus companies have to constantly update their software to detect and remove these threats.
For beginners, 'Ghost in the Wires' by Kevin Mitnick could be a good start. It's a non - fiction book that reads like a novel. Mitnick was a famous hacker himself, and in this book, he tells his story in an engaging way that gives insights into the world of hacking.
Another great one is 'The Cuckoo's Egg' by Clifford Stoll. This book tells the story of Stoll's pursuit of a hacker who had broken into a computer system. It's a great read for those interested in the early days of hacking and computer security. It shows how one person can use determination and some basic computer knowledge to track down a hacker.
One scary hacking story is the Equifax breach. Hackers managed to access the personal information of around 147 million people. This included Social Security numbers, birth dates, and addresses. It was a huge deal as it put so many people at risk of identity theft and financial fraud.
The Ashley Madison hack is also well - known. Ashley Madison is a website that promotes extramarital affairs. Hackers exposed the personal information of its users, which included names, email addresses, and sexual preferences. This led to a great deal of embarrassment for the users and also raised questions about the security and ethics of such websites.
The Sony Pictures hack was also significant. Hackers got into Sony's systems and leaked a ton of internal data, including unreleased movies, employee information, and emails. It caused a lot of chaos within the company and in the entertainment industry. They also made threats which led to some movies' releases being affected.
There was a case where hackers targeted a school's network to steal students' personal information. They got in through a weak point in the school's security firewall. They were after things like social security numbers and home addresses. The school then had to inform all the students and their parents, and they upgraded their security system. It was a big wake - up call for the school about the importance of cyber security.
Well, there's a story about a hacker who hacked into a friend's smart TV. When the friend turned on the TV to watch a serious documentary, suddenly a very old and goofy cartoon started playing, and the hacker had set it up so that the TV would randomly switch between channels with absurd shows for an hour. It was hilarious for the hacker but quite a shock for the friend at first.