The Comprehensive Guide to Cybersecurity’s Most Infamous Hacks

Retail Price: $49.95

$44.95

70 Case Studies of Cyberattacks
Dr. Jason Edwards, DMIST, CISSP
Softcover, 6×9, 320 pages
ISBN: 978-1-60427-208-6
e-ISBN: 978-1-60427-863-7
March 2025
Part of the J. Ross Publishing Cybersecurity Series

Available on backorder

SKU: 978-1-60427-208-6 Categories: ,

Description

Understanding the evolving nature of cybersecurity threats has never been more important in a world increasingly reliant on digital technology. The Comprehensive Guide to Cybersecurity’s Most Infamous Hacks offers readers a guided journey through the history of cyberattacks, examining key incidents that have defined and shaped modern cybersecurity. This book dissects major cyber events and their impact, from early hacking exploits like the Phreaking era to sophisticated breaches affecting corporations and governments.

Each chapter is dedicated to a specific type of cyberattack, highlighting notorious breaches, malware outbreaks, and nation-state operations. These case studies are paired with a “Lessons Learned” section that offers readers insights into how these attacks were conducted, what vulnerabilities were exploited, and how the affected organizations responded. While the incidents discussed are technical, this book simplifies complex cyber topics to make them accessible to a broad audience, whether you’re a cybersecurity enthusiast, a student, or an industry professional.

Key Features

  • Lessons Learned: Each case study is accompanied by a dedicated “Lessons Learned” section, offering key takeaways on exploited vulnerabilities and response strategies and helping readers understand how similar incidents can be prevented or mitigated.
  • Concise Case Studies: Provides streamlined, focused examinations of major cyberattacks, delivering the essential details without diving too deep into technical minutiae.
  • Broad Range of Cyber Incidents: Covers various cyber threats, from early hacking exploits to modern-day ransomware attacks and data breaches, providing a comprehensive overview of different attack types and methods.
  • Structured by Attack Type: Chapters are organized by specific categories of attacks, including malware, data breaches, and nation-state operations, offering a clear and thematic understanding of the threat landscape.
  • Historical Evolution of Cyber Threats: Presents incidents chronologically, helping readers see how cyber threats have evolved and providing a historical perspective on the increasing sophistication of attacks.
  • Insights into Hacker Tactics: Explores the common tactics, techniques, and procedures used by hackers, including social engineering, phishing, and system exploitation, to give readers an understanding of how cybercriminals operate.
  • Impactful Lessons from Real Incidents: Offers insights from real-world incidents, including how organizations responded, what went wrong, and what lessons can be drawn for future defenses.
  • WAV features additional stories and case studies—available from the Web Added Value Download Resource Center at www.jrosspub.com/wav

About the author(s)

Dr. Jason Edwards has over 25 years of experience in Cybersecurity & technology across various industries, including finance, insurance, and energy. He holds several credentials, such as a Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC), a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and a Doctorate in Management, Information Systems, and Technology, specializing in Cybersecurity. He also served with the US Army for 22 years, earning a Bronze Star for service during multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Besides his professional achievements, Dr. Edwards is passionate about sharing his knowledge and expertise. He has been an Adjunct Professor of Cybersecurity at multiple universities, teaching professional and graduate-level courses. He has also authored numerous books on Cybersecurity, including a children’s series. He is highly active, with a large following on LinkedIn, where he is the author of the Cyber Spear educational newsletter, which offers free daily and weekly educational newsletters to enhance cybersecurity awareness and build skills within the industry. Jason lives with his family in San Antonio, Texas.

Table of Contents

About the Author

Introduction to Cybersecurity and Digital Threats

WAV Page

 

Chapter 1: The Dawn of Cybersecurity

What Is a Cyberattack?

The Phreaking Era: Captain Crunch and Blue Boxes (1970s–1980s)

The Cuckoo’s Egg Incident (1986)

The Morris Worm (1988)

AIDS Trojan (1989)

Kevin Mitnick’s Hacking Spree (1990–1995)

The Citibank and Vladimir Levin Hack (1995)

Gary McKinnon (Solo) Hacks U.S. Military Networks (2001)

Chapter Conclusion

 

Chapter 2: The Rise of Malware and Viruses

What Are Malware and Viruses?

Solar Sunrise (1998)

The Melissa Virus (1999)

The ILOVEYOU Virus (2000)

The Anna Kournikova Virus (2001)

Nimda Virus (2001)

Sircam Worm/Virus (2001)

Chapter Conclusion

 

Chapter 3: Worms and Their Rapid Spread

What Are Worms?

Code Red Worm (2001)

SQL Slammer Worm (2003)

Blaster Worm (2003)

Conficker Worm (2008)

Chapter Conclusion

 

Chapter 4: Data Breaches and Their Impact

What Is a Data Breach?

Heartland Payment Systems Breach (2008)

Sony PlayStation Network Breach (2011)

Target Data Breach (2013)

Yahoo Data Breach (2013–2014)

Ashley Madison Breach (2015)

Office of Personnel Management Breach (2015)

Equifax Data Breach (2017)

Capital One Data Breach (2019)

Chapter Conclusion

 

Chapter 5: Nation-State Attacks

What Is a Nation-State Attack?

Estonian Cyber Attacks (2007)

Stuxnet (2010)

Saudi Aramco Cyberattack (2012)

Sony Pictures Hack (2014)

Chapter Conclusion

 

Chapter 6: Advanced Persistent Threats

What Is an Advanced Persistent Threat?

DarkHotel APT (2007–2020)

Operation Aurora (2010)

RSA Security Breach (2011)

Operation Red October (2013)

Shadow Brokers’ Release of NSA Tools (2016–2017)

Lazarus Group—Bangladesh Bank Heist (2016)

Hidden Cobra—FASTCash Campaigns (2016–2018)

Chapter Conclusion

 

Chapter 7: Political and Geopolitical Hacks

What Is a Political Hack?

Georgian Government Websites Attacks (2008)

Ukrainian Election Hacks (2014)

Hack of German Parliament (Bundestag) (2015)

U.S. Voter Database Breach (2015–2016)

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Hack (2016)

DNC Email Leak (2016)

Macron Campaign Email Leak (2017)

Chapter Conclusion

 

Chapter 8: The Era of Ransomware and Destructive Attacks

What Is Ransomware?

WannaCry Ransomware (2017)

NotPetya Attack (2017)

Baltimore Ransomware Attack (2019)

JBS USA Ransomware Attack (2021)

REvil Ransomware Attack on Kaseya (2021)

Conti Ransomware Attack on Irish Health Service (2021)

Chapter Conclusion

 

Chapter 9: Supply Chain Attacks and Cloud Security

What Is a Supply Chain Attack?

CCleaner Supply Chain Attack (2017)

ASUS Live Update Utility Supply Chain Attack (2018)

SolarWinds Hack (2020)

Microsoft Exchange Server Hack (2021)

Chapter Conclusion

 

Chapter 10: Critical Infrastructure and Industrial Control Systems Challenges

What Are Industrial Control Systems and Their Cyber Risks?

Havex Remote Access Trojan (2013–2014)

Trisis/Triton Attack (2017)

Colonial Pipeline Ransomware Attack (2021)

Florida Water System Hack (2021)

Iranian Railway System Attack (2021)

Chapter Conclusion

 

Chapter 11: Military Hacks

What Are the Risks of Military Cyberattacks?

Titan Rain (2003–2006)

Operation Buckshot Yankee (2008)

Pentagon Email Breach (2015)

Hacking of South Korean Military Servers (2016)

Microsoft Exchange Intrusion (2023)

Chapter Conclusion

 

Chapter 12: The Rise and Impact of Distributed Denial-of-Service Attacks

What Is a Distributed Denial-of-Service Attack?

Mafia Boy (2000)

Estonian Cyberattacks (2007)

Operation Ababil (2012)

Spamhaus DDoS Attack (2013)

Mirai Botnet Attack (2016)

GitHub DDoS Attack (2018)

Chapter Conclusion

 

References

Index

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