Did I say non-professional? Well, the thing is everybody should be professional when we are speaking about securing our data, passwords and our bank accounts!

Cyber Security is a common but often overlooked aspect of our day-to-day lives. From email to online banking, many of the interactions that we have with other people involve the use of technology, which therefore leaves us susceptible to possible cyberattacks. With this article we would like to offer real life solutions to make your life on the internet a little bit more protected and we collected the best cyber security books for us (non-professionals).

Why is cyber security important?

Let me give you an example. An old friend of mine several days ago told me that his default search engine (Google) disappeared from Chrome and also Firefox. I quickly checked the settings and realized that a hijacker called “Poshukach” redirects my friend directly to their website. Most likely he clicked on the wrong link and installed a virus containing app. This happens to people all over the world. And cyber criminals’ methods became very sophisticated in the past 5 years:

• Accounts and passwords leaked and hacked on daily basis (it’s possible that your password is already a common knowledge on the black market — you can check it with haveibeenpwned)
• Malware and blackmail virus containing applications are installed
• Email attachments containing viruses that destroy your personal files, or sending emails on behalf of you
• Seemingly friendly people asking your personal even your financial data on behalf of your bank
• Seemingly safe websites offering deadly cheap products, but after payment the product never arrives
• Random seemingly nice people on the social media asking for quick money help or they want to invest your money in crypto for profit

These tricks are serving only one thing: criminals want your money and your personal data!

What I can do?

1. Learn their methods, primary this is why we strongly suggest to check the best cyber security books, which will help you understand the new era of internet and web 3
2. Use better tools to protect your location (VPNs), your device (Security software) and your identity

What are the best VPNs?

It’s common knowledge that we leave behind our digital footprints every time we use the internet. These footprints allow sites to track us and figure out where in the world we live. With a VPN, you can route your traffic through an IP address of your choice so that you appear to be in a different country. This offers not only increased privacy when browsing the web, but also access to certain website and apps that might not be available in your current location.

Best security tools and active virus protection

When it comes to internet security, there are many different tools available. There is no one ultimate solution for security, but there are multifaceted solutions. The average person needs virus protection, firewall software, and anti-spyware software in order to maintain a semblance of security on their computers. When you feel unsafe on the internet or your computer starts acting strangely, you should always call in an expert who can find out what’s wrong and fix it.

Best Cyber Security Books

Cybersecurity in Context, by Chris Jay Hoofnagle and Golden G. Richard III (2024)

Cybersecurity in Context introduces students and professionals to the challenges and solutions in cybersecurity. It emphasizes the importance of securing data, preventing election interference, and understanding infrastructural vulnerabilities.

This textbook is designed for easy understanding and covers both policy and practical aspects of the field. It starts with an introduction to cybersecurity, highlighting major challenges and key technologies. It also covers theoretical frameworks and legal aspects.

The book includes tables and illustrations to help explain key topics. It addresses specialized areas like military cybersecurity, infrastructure protection, and intellectual property rights. Written by experts with practical and theoretical experience, Cybersecurity in Context is perfect for students in introductory courses and IT professionals seeking a solid foundation in cybersecurity.

The Mom Friend Guide to Everyday Safety and Security, by Cathy Pedrayes (2022)

These basic safety and security skills are able to help you retain the stability of your private and his family, from TikTok’s Mom Friend, Cathy Pedrayes.

You’ll discover detailed leaflets on securing your home, building a first-aid kit, things to carry with you on the go. What to take with you on vacation, how to find suspicious activity, and how to protect your family online.

This book is a broader guide on security and safety. It covers topics behind online security, but in a fact it connects on many aspects of our core topic. Anyway it is a great book to start with cyber security.

This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends, by Nicole Perlroth (2022)

The author spends considerable time focusing on the drama of cybersecurity and cyberwar. Nicole Perlroth provides insightful interviews with some cybersecurity experts and government officials. As well as hired mercenaries, who have been involved with data breaches.

The book’s narrative was captivating, and much of this author’s expertise comes from practical experience. For example, some of us may have heard of Russian hackers’. However, few are informed about the malicious plans that hackers directed by way of Russia did to Ukraine. To hear how they performed severe harm to Ukrainian systems is downright scary.

The Art of Invisibility, by Kevin Mitnick (2017)

This book’s author is one of FBI’s most wanted hacker. Leave no trace online even when you are surfing on the internet constantly. Your every move is being tracked and stored, and your identity is literally stolen immediately. Big companies and governments want to know and exploit what’s going on. Your right to privacy is only a myth if you are not doing a thing.

This book will teach you more about password security as well as smart Wi-Fi usage and much more advanced techniques designed to improve your anonymity. Kevin Mitnick knows how to deal with vulnerabilities.

If you want to check the internet with the eye of an expert, this cyber security book is definitely a good choice!

Cybersecurity For Dummies, by Joseph Steinberg (2022)

Protect yourself from malware, identity theft or ransomware. What you will find in the book? The why of cybersecurity threats, the steps to being “cyber secure”, Cybersecurity careers and what to consider to maintain your cybersecurity in the future.

Don’t let the word “Dummies” fool you! By following this book, you’ll have a good knowledge that can protect you 90% from attacks. The information is easy to understand and well explained. You could quickly adapt your new knowledge in your everyday life.

Big Data and Democracy, by Kevin Macnish (2022)

Should we be concerned about echo chambers? Targeted advertising in political campaigns can have a negative impact on society, anyway how could they even know anything about our political preference? Data collection can affect our ability to trust each other, why big data is a serious risk of our society?

The works focus on the value of democracy and the role of data in our everyday lives. With recent examples the book including the 2016 Brexit Vote, the Leveson Inquiry and the Edward Snowden leaks.

The Smartest Person in the Room, by Christian Espinosa (2021)

The Smartest Person in the Room offers a thorough overview of cyber security, from what it is to how it might affect you at your workplace. Learn from Christian’s own journey from a cyber-security engineer to company CEO.

Written specifically for company leaders, it’s a valuable resource and perspective for those who are responsible for the security of customer data. Specifically, it offers valuable guidance for CEOs, COOs, CISOs, and anyone else tasked with protecting consumers’ data.

The narrative reveals the dangers posed to customers’ information by cybercriminals. Cybercriminals attempt to conceal unapproved access to client’s information through use of dishonest tools. The goal is often to cause disarray within an organization or generate income through stealing information.

How Cybersecurity Really Works, by Sam Grubb (2021)

You don’t need to have a background in technology to understand fundamentals of cybersecurity concepts and their intended applications. This book contains all the useful information you need to easily understand these techniques. It boils down the subjects to their key points, so you don’t need to learn jargon or specific attacks.

Each chapter covers a brand new subject to starting with malware or social engineering, offering an easy-to-follow overview of the core concepts.

See how an attack works in the way a hacker sees the world, gain hands-on experience and implement sophisticated cyber security measures on your own computer.

The Psychology of Information Security, by Leron Zinatullin (2016)

As news about ever larger security breaches and information hacks remains in the headlines, security issues are no longer concern of security experts. Leron Zinatullin’s book arrives at the right time to introduce the psychological aspect of cyber security. The author reveals the critical challenges to a larger audience and establish a connection between subjects.

‘The Psychology of Information Security’ provides you with a good mix of theory and practical experience. I primary recommend this book to new security professionals looking to deepen their knowledge of the field psychological background and motives.

How To Prevent Scammers Drain My Bank Account?

• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
• Never give away any 2FA codes during phone calls! (Even when an authority, or bank representative asks it!) This is exactly what happened to MGM casino in 2023, the whole casino complex was hacked by a simple “cybersecurity phone call” where the scammer asked for 2FA codes from the representative of MGM in the line.
• Never click “open attachment” directly in your email box! It’s really easy to scam people by sending fake emails that seems to be from Google or from your Bank. These attachments may include malwares or ransomwares, that will monitor your keypresses and sees your passwords when entered, or simply takeover your computer’s control.
• Don’t open links from email directly, if you did check the browser bar very cautiously! The hackers even register special domains that seems like exactly your bank’s address bar as reported Moneylife in it’s article. Why is this dangerous? Because if you think you are at a safe domain like your bank’s website, you enter your password and hence it’s a fake website and you can’t login, the hackers will get instantly access to your bank password.
• Update your phone’s and operating system’s software regularly, mainly because there are a lot of security fixes appear over the years!

Cyber Security books: Conclusion

It is important for people to take the necessary precautions and set up a cyber security plan to protect themselves and their family from cyber attacks. In our list we collected the top cyber security books for normal, non-techie users.

The people who are in charge of cyber security need to work together to stop these bad guys for the betterment of society. It is important that they do what they can so that everyone can feel safe and secure online. If you want to dig a little bit deeper into the new internet, check out our selection of web 3 books.