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by Robin Sharma
The Inside Story of Organized Cybercrime – From Global Epidemic to Your Front Door
Spam Nation by Brian Krebs is a non-fiction book that takes readers on a journey inside the world of cybercrime, specifically the global epidemic of spam. It reveals the complex infrastructure behind spammers and highlights the efforts of those fighting against them.
Try our miracle sex pill! Lose 30 pounds with this no-risk diet! Almost daily we’re inundated with spam emails, touting everything from hot dates to how-to-be-a-millionaire scams.
It’s easy to laugh these emails off as harmless, if not annoying, marketing ploys. Yet spam is actually a huge industry and poses a serious threat to our safety online. What’s more, even if you never open a spam email or click on a flashy banner ad, the danger is still there.
Spam emails often contain viruses and other malware (malicious software) that can infect your computer. In fact, the amount of malware spread via spam is staggering.
Companies that produce antivirus solutions claim that they deal with some 82,000 new variants of malware through spam emails every day. During the first quarter of 2013 alone, McAfee, one of the world’s leading computer security companies, discovered some 14 million new malware viruses.
Even worse, malicious software imbedded in spam can turn a computer into a hired gun for cybercrime. Fake ads for Viagra or penis enlargement pills are often set by criminals to snare a computer user, whose hardware is essentially hijacked and added to a sophisticated network of other hijacked computers called a botnet.
A botnet can then be hired out to cybercriminals to perform distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks. During a DDoS attack, a website is bombarded with so much data that it becomes unavailable to users.
Such attacks are often performed as part of an extortion scheme, in which a site or group of sites are kept offline until its owner pays a ransom.
Sometimes DDoS attacks are even directed at governments, and the consequences can be dire.
In 2008, the Estonian government was the target of a massive DDoS attack, and most government websites were down for days. Many of the country’s online banking services went briefly offline, and the national network used for medical emergencies was likewise disrupted.
Spam Nation reveals how a handful of spammers and other cybercriminals have created a hugely profitable, yet largely illegal, industry. Concerns over spam, however, go deeper than the annoyance of a few email scams, as individuals, companies, governments – even societies – are put at risk.
Spam Nation (2014) delves deep into the world of cybercrime and exposes the seedy underbelly of the spam industry. Here's why this book is a captivating read:
Fact: In 2013, nearly 70 percent of all emails sent were spam.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
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Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trialBlink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
What is the main message of Spam Nation?
The main message of Spam Nation is the alarming growth and impact of cybercrime and the need for stronger security measures.
How long does it take to read Spam Nation?
The reading time for Spam Nation varies depending on the reader, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Spam Nation a good book? Is it worth reading?
Spam Nation is a compelling read that sheds light on the dangerous world of cybercrime. It's definitely worth your time!
Who is the author of Spam Nation?
Brian Krebs is the author of Spam Nation.