Cyberphobia: Identity, Trust, Security and the Internet - Hardcover

"A remarkably clear, comprehensive and lucid exposition of the growing range of threats that challenge trust in the internet . . . an indispensable roadmap to regaining control of our online security." --Michael Chertoff, former US Secretary of Homeland Security

"An engaged overview of technology's strange new virtual hazards." --"Kirkus"

"A realistic view of what can (and cannot) be done on both the individual and at a policy level to protect privacy and deal honestly on the Internet. Useful for nonexperts wanting a larger picture of cybersecurity." --"Library Journal"

"Lucas's account is a masterful achievement, blending first-class reporting with the flare of John le Carre and Daniel Silva." --C.C. Lovett, "CHOICE on DECEPTION"

"One depressing conclusion from reading "Deception" is that Russians are much better than their Western counterparts at the spy business. Another is that, even now, the West doesn't much seem to care that its secrets are being pilfered by a regime that wishes us ill . . . [a] sobering book." --Bret Stephens, "The Wall Street Journal, on DECEPTION""

A remarkably clear, comprehensive and lucid exposition of the growing range of threats that challenge trust in the internet . . . an indispensable roadmap to regaining control of our online security. Michael Chertoff, former US Secretary of Homeland Security

"As we move away from an earlier era s digital naivete and embrace a healthy paranoia about privacy and risk online, Mr. Lucas s book reminds us of the need for tougher standards--not just for individuals but for the companies that have made the Internet our virtual home." "Wall Street Journal"

An engaged overview of technology's strange new virtual hazards. "Kirkus"

A realistic view of what can (and cannot) be done on both the individual and at a policy level to protect privacy and deal honestly on the Internet. Useful for nonexperts wanting a larger picture of cybersecurity. "Library Journal"

"[E]asily accessible for non-techies . . . Even informed readers will benefit from Lucas s synthesis of chilling incidents . . . a wake-up call for citizens and their leaders alike." "Publishers Weekly"

"An enlightening, highly accessible look at security threats on the Internet, with sound solutions for protection." "Booklist"

"The central message of this alarming book is that 'our dependence on computers is growing faster than our ability to forestall attackers' . . . ["Cyberphobia"] makes a convincing case that hacking will becoming increasingly common." "Sunday Times"

"Not only does "Cyberphobia "lay bare the dangers of the internet, it also explores the most successful defensive cyber strategies, options for tracking down transgressors and argues that we are moving into a post-digital age where once again face-to-face communication will be the only interaction that really matters." "Daily Telegraph"

"Though convenient, [computers] can be dangerous. Lucas (a British journalist who writes for "The Economist") joins others in delivering this warning, but he is more successful than most because he probes the subject without resorting to computer jargon and so conveys the nature of the threat to those who use computers without regard to the fact that they can jeopardize wealth, reputation, and peace of mind . . . Recommended." "Choice""

A remarkably clear, comprehensive and lucid exposition of the growing range of threats that challenge trust in the internet . . . an indispensable roadmap to regaining control of our online security. Michael Chertoff, former US Secretary of Homeland Security

"As we move away from an earlier era s digital naivete and embrace a healthy paranoia about privacy and risk online, Mr. Lucas s book reminds us of the need for tougher standards--not just for individuals but for the companies that have made the Internet our virtual home." Wall Street Journal

An engaged overview of technology's strange new virtual hazards. Kirkus

A realistic view of what can (and cannot) be done on both the individual and at a policy level to protect privacy and deal honestly on the Internet. Useful for nonexperts wanting a larger picture of cybersecurity. Library Journal

"[E]asily accessible for non-techies . . . Even informed readers will benefit from Lucas s synthesis of chilling incidents . . . a wake-up call for citizens and their leaders alike." Publishers Weekly

"An enlightening, highly accessible look at security threats on the Internet, with sound solutions for protection." Booklist

"The central message of this alarming book is that 'our dependence on computers is growing faster than our ability to forestall attackers' . . . [Cyberphobia] makes a convincing case that hacking will becoming increasingly common." Sunday Times

"Not only does Cyberphobia lay bare the dangers of the internet, it also explores the most successful defensive cyber strategies, options for tracking down transgressors and argues that we are moving into a post-digital age where once again face-to-face communication will be the only interaction that really matters." Daily Telegraph

"Though convenient, [computers] can be dangerous. Lucas (a British journalist who writes for The Economist) joins others in delivering this warning, but he is more successful than most because he probes the subject without resorting to computer jargon and so conveys the nature of the threat to those who use computers without regard to the fact that they can jeopardize wealth, reputation, and peace of mind . . . Recommended." Choice

"A remarkably clear, comprehensive and lucid exposition of the growing range of threats that challenge trust in the internet . . . an indispensable roadmap to regaining control of our online security." --Michael Chertoff, former US Secretary of Homeland Security

"As we move away from an earlier era's digital naivete and embrace a healthy paranoia about privacy and risk online, Mr. Lucas's book reminds us of the need for tougher standards--not just for individuals but for the companies that have made the Internet our virtual home." --Wall Street Journal

"An engaged overview of technology's strange new virtual hazards." --Kirkus

"A realistic view of what can (and cannot) be done on both the individual and at a policy level to protect privacy and deal honestly on the Internet. Useful for nonexperts wanting a larger picture of cyber-security." --Library Journal

"[E]asily accessible for non-techies . . . Even informed readers will benefit from Lucas's synthesis of chilling incidents . . . a wake-up call for citizens and their leaders alike." --Publishers Weekly

"An enlightening, highly accessible look at security threats on the Internet, with sound solutions for protection." --Booklist

"The central message of this alarming book is that 'our dependence on computers is growing faster than our ability to forestall attackers' . . . [Cyberphobia] makes a convincing case that hacking will becoming increasingly common." --Sunday Times

"Not only does Cyberphobia lay bare the dangers of the internet, it also explores the most successful defensive cyber strategies, options for tracking down transgressors and argues that we are moving into a post-digital age where once again face-to-face communication will be the only interaction that really matters." --Daily Telegraph

"Though convenient, [computers] can be dangerous. Lucas (a British journalist who writes for The Economist) joins others in delivering this warning, but he is more successful than most because he probes the subject without resorting to computer jargon and so conveys the nature of the threat to those who use computers without regard to the fact that they can jeopardize wealth, reputation, and peace of mind . . . Recommended." --Choice

Cybercrime is increasingly in the news. Stories about weaknesses in cybersecurity like the "Heartbleed" leak, or malicious software on the cash registers at your local Target have become alarmingly common. Even more alarming is the sheer number of victims associated with these crimes--the identities and personal information of millions is stolen outright as criminals drain bank accounts and max out credit cards. The availability of stolen credit card information is now so common that it can be purchased on the black market for as little as four dollars with potentially thousands at stake for the victims. Possibly even more catastrophic are hackers at a national level that have begun stealing national security, or economic and trade secrets. The world economy and geopolitics hang in the balance.

In Cyberphobia, Edward Lucas unpacks this shadowy, but metastasizing problem confronting our security--both for individuals and nations. The uncomfortable truth is that we do not take cybersecurity seriously enough. Strong regulations on automotive safety or guidelines for the airline industry are commonplace, but when it comes to the internet, it might as well be the Wild West. Standards of securing our computers and other internet-connected technology are diverse, but just like the rules of the road meant to protect both individual drivers and everyone else driving alongside them, weak cybersecurity on the computers and internet systems near us put everyone at risk. Lucas sounds a compelling and necessary alarm on behalf of cybersecurity and prescribes immediate and bold solutions to this grave threat.