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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Spam Nation summary
Brian Krebs
The Inside Story of Organized Cybercrime – From Global Epidemic to Your Front Door
20 mins
Brief summary
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.
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Spam Nation
Summary of 8 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 8
Spam isn’t just harmless marketing. It can carry malicious software that can hijack your computer.
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.
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What is Spam Nation about?
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 Review
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:
- Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, the book unravels the complex web of cybercriminals and their operations, giving readers an inside look into this underground world.
- With its eye-opening revelations about the vulnerabilities in our online infrastructure, the book serves as a wake-up call for individuals, businesses, and policymakers alike.
- By shining a light on the human element behind spam, the book reminds us of the real-life impact and consequences of cybercrime, making it a fascinating and thought-provoking read.
Best quote from Spam Nation
Fact: In 2013, nearly 70 percent of all emails sent were spam.
—Brian Krebs
Who should read Spam Nation?
- Anyone who’s ever wondered about the source of spam emails
- Victims of cybercrime
- Anyone concerned about how to use the internet safely
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Spam Nation FAQs
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.
What to read after Spam Nation?
If you're wondering what to read next after Spam Nation, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Ghost in the Wires by Kevin Mitnick
- Pegasus by Laurent Richard and Sandrine Rigaud
- Uncommon by Mark Divine
- The Art of Influencing Anyone by Niall Cassidy
- The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss
- Proximity by Robert C. Wolcott & Kaihan Krippendorff
- How to Be a Stoic by Massimo Pigliucci
- Think This, Not That by Josh Axe
- The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates
- A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson