The Symantec Guide to Home Internet Security

I'm not sure about this book. It's not something most of the readers of this site would be interested in, but it is something you might want to point out to other people.

It is, as the back cover claims, an "easy to understand" book. It's short, easy to read, but it is much more than the typical puff piece you might see in your Sunday paper. Fairly complex concepts are explained in a straight forward, non-threatening manner.

I think it's especially important that this covers wireless security. I see far too many wide open wireless networks; the concept of wireless security is unfortunately not well known outside of the tech world.

So, you are thinking what I'm thinking: just the thing for Uncle Fred. Yes, it surely would be, but will Fred buy it? He'll probably assume that it's too techy, that he won't understand it, and besides, you trot on over and fix him up when things go bad anyway, right?

So, I just don't know. Consider it as a gift for dear old Fred, perhaps. And as this book actually recommends that Fred consider using Linux or Mac rather than Windows, maybe he'll take that advice.

I hope that I'm wrong about the general public's reaction to this. In a better world, this would become a best seller; you'd see it at the beach and at supermarket check out counters. We'd all be better off, but that's not going to happen, is it? Oh well, Fred's birthday is coming up soon, isn't it?

• Andrew Conry-Murray and Vincent Weafer
• Symantec Press
• 0321356411

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