Amazon's Best-Selling Books on Programming for Cybersecurity

Amazon's best-selling cybersecurity programming books provide a wealth of information for both new and seasoned professionals looking forward to improve their skills in this important subject. These publications cover a wide range of topics, from secure coding techniques to creating tools for ethical hacking and penetration testing.

Python Crash Course: A Hands-On, Project-Based Introduction to Programming (3rd Edition)

Key features:

• Comprehensive Overview of Python Fundamentals: The book provides a thorough introduction to core Python programming concepts. It covers essential topics such as variables, data types, lists, dictionaries, functions, classes, and file handling. The first half of the book focuses on building a strong foundation in general programming concepts and Python basics.
• Project-Based Learning Approach: The second half of the book emphasizes practical application through three substantial real-world projects. These projects include creating a Space Invaders-inspired arcade game, developing data visualizations using Python libraries, and building a web application. This hands-on approach allows readers to apply their knowledge to practical scenarios.
• Focus on Practical Skills and Problem-Solving: The book is designed to help readers start writing real programs quickly. It emphasizes problem-solving skills and teaches how to use powerful Python libraries and tools like matplotlib, NumPy, and Pygal. The content also covers important programming practices such as testing code, handling errors, and deploying web applications safely online.

Linux Basics for Hackers: Getting Started with Networking, Scripting, and Security in Kali

Key features:

• Practical and Tutorial-Style Approach: The book uses the Kali Linux distribution to teach Linux basics with a specific focus on how hackers would use them. It provides hands-on tutorials and exercises throughout, allowing readers to reinforce and test their skills as they learn.
• Comprehensive Coverage of Essential Topics: The book covers a wide range of subjects crucial for aspiring hackers and cybersecurity professionals. These include Linux command line basics, filesystems, networking, BASH scripting, package management, logging, and the Linux kernel and drivers. It also delves into more advanced topics like security, anonymity, and wireless networking.
• Focus on Hacking-Specific Skills: While teaching Linux basics, the book emphasizes skills and techniques relevant to hacking and cybersecurity. Readers learn how to cover their tracks, scan for network connections, keep internet activity stealthy, write bash scripts for port scanning, and even build custom hacking tools like remote video spy cameras and password crackers.

Automate the Boring Stuff with Python: Practical Programming for Total Beginners (2nd Edition)

Key features:

• Practical Automation Focus: The book teaches readers how to use Python to automate tedious tasks, such as renaming files, updating spreadsheets, and filling out forms. It covers a wide range of practical applications, including web scraping, working with PDFs, sending emails and text messages, and manipulating images.
• Beginner-Friendly Approach: The book is designed for total beginners with no prior programming experience. It uses step-by-step instructions and practice projects to build programming skills gradually, making it accessible to even the technically uninclined.
• Updated and Expanded Content: The second edition includes new material such as a chapter on input validation, tutorials on automating Gmail and Google Sheets, tips for updating CSV files, and coverage of recent automation techniques. It's about 100 pages longer than the first edition, with new chapters and programming projects.

PowerShell Automation and Scripting for Cybersecurity

Key features:

• Comprehensive Scope of PowerShell Security: The book provides an in-depth exploration of PowerShell's security capabilities, covering both offensive and defensive aspects. It delves into topics such as configuring, auditing, monitoring, exploiting, and bypassing defenses using PowerShell, making it valuable for both red and blue team security professionals.
• Practical Approach with Real-world Applications: The book takes a hands-on approach, offering practical techniques and real-world scenarios. It includes a "red and blue team cookbook" for day-to-day security tasks, allowing readers to apply their learning to actual cybersecurity operations. The content covers everything from basic scripting to advanced topics like Windows internals, APIs, and WMI.
• Balanced Content for Various Skill Levels: The book caters to a wide range of readers, from beginners to PowerShell experts. It starts with PowerShell basics and scripting fundamentals before progressing to more advanced topics. This structure makes it accessible to those new to PowerShell while still offering valuable insights for experienced users.

Cracking Codes with Python: An Introduction to Building and Breaking Ciphers

Key features:

• Comprehensive Cipher Coverage: The book covers a wide range of ciphers, from simple classical ciphers like the Caesar and transposition ciphers to more complex ones like the Vigenère cipher. It even touches on modern cryptography concepts, including public key cryptography used in digital signatures, email encryption, and Bitcoin.
• Hands-on Learning Approach: Each chapter includes full code examples and line-by-line explanations of how the programs work. This practical approach allows readers to learn Python programming while simultaneously understanding cryptography concepts. The book emphasizes learning by doing, encouraging readers to create and test their own encryption and decryption programs.
• Dual Focus on Building and Breaking Ciphers: The book not only teaches how to create ciphers but also how to break them. It introduces various hacking techniques such as brute-force attacks and frequency analysis. This dual perspective helps readers understand both the creation and vulnerability of encryption systems, providing a well-rounded education in cryptography and Python programming.

Hacking For Dummies (7th Edition)

Key features:

• Comprehensive Overview of Ethical Hacking: The book provides a thorough introduction to ethical hacking, covering essential aspects of vulnerability and penetration testing. It teaches readers how to think like a hacker to secure their own systems and data, making it valuable for both beginners and IT professionals.
• Practical Approach with Real-world Tools: "Hacking For Dummies" offers hands-on guidance on using freely available testing tools to perform "penetration tests" on network security. It covers a wide range of practical hacking tools, including password cracking software, network scanning tools, and vulnerability scanning software.
• Focus on Current Security Challenges: The book stays up-to-date with the latest security weaknesses that could affect business security setups. It addresses modern concerns such as securing Wi-Fi networks, locking down Windows installations, and understanding the security implications of remote work. The content is regularly updated to reflect the evolving cybersecurity landscape.

Programming the Raspberry Pi : Getting Started with Python (3rd Edition)

Key features:

• Updated Content for Raspberry Pi 4: The book has been fully updated to cover the new Raspberry Pi 4, including upgrades to the Raspbian operating system and new setup procedures. It addresses physical changes and OS updates to the current version 4, making it relevant for users of the latest Raspberry Pi hardware.
• Beginner-Friendly Approach: The guide is designed for readers with no prior programming experience. It offers step-by-step instructions on how to configure hardware and software, write Python scripts, create user-friendly GUIs, and control external electronics. This makes it accessible for beginners while still providing valuable content for more experienced users.
• Practical Projects and Applications: The book includes hands-on projects and practical applications, such as creating a digital clock prototype and a fully functioning Raspberry Pi robot. It covers a wide range of topics including game development with Pygame, building user interfaces with guizero, interfacing with hardware using the gpiozero library, and adding web features to projects.

Black Hat Python: Python Programming for Hackers and Pentesters (2nd Edition)

Key features:

• Comprehensive Overview of Hacking Techniques: The book offers a wide range of hacking techniques and tools, covering everything from basic network sniffing to advanced topics like exploit development and offensive forensics. It provides practical examples for writing network sniffers, manipulating packets, creating stealthy trojans, and extending popular security tools like Burp Suite.
• Hands-on Approach With Real-world Examples: "Black Hat Python" takes a highly practical approach, offering detailed code snippets and real-world examples throughout the book. Each chapter typically includes a "Kicking the Tires" section, allowing readers to immediately apply what they've learned and build their own hacking and security testing tools.
• Updated Content for Modern Cybersecurity: The second edition of the book has been thoroughly updated to cover Python 3.x and includes new topics relevant to current cybersecurity trends. It introduces concepts like bit shifting, code hygiene, and offensive forensics using the Volatility Framework, ensuring readers are equipped with up-to-date knowledge and skills.

Kali Linux Hacking

Key features:

• Comprehensive Overview of Cybersecurity Fundamentals: The book provides a thorough introduction to the basics of cybersecurity, hacking, and penetration testing. It covers essential concepts and techniques, making it suitable for beginners who want to learn about ethical hacking using Kali Linux.
• Step-by-Step Learning Approach: The guide offers a structured, step-by-step approach to learning Kali Linux and its various tools. This methodology helps readers progress from basic concepts to more advanced techniques in a logical and easy-to-follow manner.
• Inclusion of Basic Networking Concepts: The book includes valuable information on basic networking concepts. This feature is particularly useful for readers who may not have a strong background in networking, as understanding these fundamentals is crucial for effective penetration testing and ethical hacking.

Hands-On Network Programming with C

• ‍Comprehensive Coverage of Network Programming Concepts: The book covers a wide range of network programming topics, from the fundamentals of Internet Protocol, TCP, and UDP to more advanced concepts like asynchronous socket programming and streams. It explores various network protocols, including HTTP, HTTPS, and SMTP, providing readers with a thorough understanding of modern network programming.‍
• Cross-Platform Compatibility and Portability: The book emphasizes writing portable network code that works across different operating systems. It covers socket programming APIs for Windows (Winsock), Linux, and macOS (POSIX sockets), ensuring that readers can develop network applications that are compatible with multiple platforms.‍
• Practical, Hands-on Approach with Real-world Examples: The book takes a practical approach, offering step-by-step explanations and numerous code examples. It includes full code samples for various network applications, such as web servers, DNS queries, and email senders. This hands-on methodology allows readers to apply their learning directly to real-world scenarios and build functional network programs.

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