Overview
- Approaches security and privacy topics from a layperson's perspective, using dozens of valuable tips
- Provides comprehensive knowledge of security concerns for both Mac and PC as well as iOS and Android
- Includes specific solutions for protecting your online privacy against ubiquitous corporate tracking
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About this book
Protecting your digital domain is much like defending a medieval castle. Wide moats, towering walls and trained guards provide defense in depth, safeguarding the people and property within against the most common threats. But attempting to dragon-proof your castle would be counterproductive and costly. The goal of this book is to keep your devices and data safe from the most likely and impactful hazards - not a targeted attack by the NSA. Like wearing seat belts and sunscreen in the real world, there are dozens of simple, effective precautions we need to take in the virtual world.
Author Carey Parker has structured this book to give you maximum benefit with minimum effort. If you just want to know what you need to do, each chapter includes a detailed checklist of expert tips. But the book also explains why you need to do these things, using entertaining analogies and straightforward explanations. This revised and expanded fifth edition includes:
- Updated for Windows 11, macOS 13 (Ventura), iOS 16 and Android 13.
- Updated recommendations for most secure and private products.
- Over 200 tips with complete step-by-step instructions and screenshots.
- Maximize your computer and smartphone security.
- Minimize your vulnerabilities and data footprint.
- Solve your password problems and use two-factor authentication.
- Browse the web safely and confidently with a secure, private browser.
- Shop and bank online with maximum security and peace of mind.
- Defend against identity theft, ransomware and online scams.
- Safeguard your children online, at home and in school.
- Block online tracking, data mining and malicious online ads.
- Send files and messages with end-to-end encryption.
- Secure your home network and keep your smart devices from spying on you.
- Create automated backups of all your devices.
- Learn how to deal with account hacks, data. breaches and viruses.
- Understand how computers, the internet, VPNs and encryption really work
- And much more!
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Keywords
Table of contents (14 chapters)
Reviews
"Carey knocks it out of the ballpark with this essential guide. Technology moves fast, and security even faster, so timely updates make this not only a must-read, but also an up to date resource. Security and privacy touches each and every one of us, and Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons succeeds in making an intractable topic approachable for everyone.”
-Andy Yen, Founder/CEO of Proton
“If you are the informal tech support provider for family and friends, Firewalls Don’t Stop Dragons is a real lifesaver. Carey covers the basics of privacy and security across platforms in remarkably entertaining fashion. I’m gifting this book to those in my life and I’d recommend you do the same!”
– Doug Levin, Director, K12 Security Information Exchange
"Carey has an uncanny ability to make privacy and security knowledge accessible and engaging. If you are new to the topic you'll appreciate the pragmatic no-nonsense advice. More advanced practitioners will appreciate the insights Carey distills in the pages from his constant access to leading experts. If you are a "Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons" podcast fan like I am, you'll love this book.”
- Andrea Amico, Founder & CEO, Privacy4Cars
"Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons is a well informed and accessible guide to better privacy and security. Carey documents solutions without glossing over the details, building upon his years of experience in the field of cybersecurity. If I had this guide when I began my journey in privacy tech, it wouldn't have just saved me a lot of time - it would have transformed my digital life. Readers are given tons of helpful recommendations alongside cogent and comprehensive explanations and, most importantly, are spoken to like real humans with busy lives. This isn't a fast food menu for techies, it's a hearty and rewarding meal for geeks and non-geeks alike. I always say there's no quick road to free yourself from surveillance.But this book will lead the way and make you much safer as you navigate the minefield laid down by malicious actors."
- Sean O'Brien, founder of Yale Privacy Lab and lecturer in Cybersecurity at Yale Law School.
In this book Carey managed to both engage me as a techy as well as pack in all the information necessary to allow anyone to follow the tips and guides in the book. Everyone can learn a new trick to improve on personal security or learn a better way to teach it.
- Raphael Fiedler, CEO Safing
Authors and Affiliations
About the author
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons
Book Subtitle: A Step-by-Step Guide to Computer Security and Privacy for Non-Techies
Authors: Carey Parker
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4842-9036-1
Publisher: Apress Berkeley, CA
eBook Packages: Professional and Applied Computing, Apress Access Books, Professional and Applied Computing (R0)
Copyright Information: Carey Parker 2023
Softcover ISBN: 978-1-4842-9035-4Published: 04 February 2023
eBook ISBN: 978-1-4842-9036-1Published: 03 February 2023
Edition Number: 5
Number of Pages: XXX, 591
Number of Illustrations: 18 b/w illustrations, 227 illustrations in colour
Topics: Systems and Data Security, Privacy, Mobile and Network Security, Principles and Models of Security, Computer Crime