Fingers in the Dike Against Ransomware Attacks

 In an upcoming book, “Dark Screens, the author Anja Shortland gives us a compelling history and detailed autopsies of the biggest most recent cybersecurity failures. While breaking down ransomware escapades, we also get an insight into how hacking cartels work, get created and get dismantled. We learn about collaborative efforts to reduce ransomware instances and the costs associated with recovery. Since 2021, the number of incidences has decreased: global efforts have occurred to find and shut down hack-farms; corporations have tightened up security e.g. requiring multi-factor authentication method(s) for all users; identification of risky penetrations—phishing, etc.—has increased. In fact, a Sophos cybersecurity survey—cited by government task forces—shows a decrease in the ransoms awarded to reclaim data and acces, and the number of instances. The leading reason for breaches are holes in IT security systems; for example, one major incident described in the book happened because registered users could access the system by only entering their user ID and no password was required. 

While the recommendations in the book can be found in several task force reports and many cyber security white papers, this seems to be a thorough narrative of how we got here, from the start of personal computers, and the internet to just last year. For anyone who wants to know what’s happening on a global scale to combat this, and read about some successes, this is a must read.

Publishing Ins and Outs and Shortcuts?

 If an aspiring writer of nonfiction wanted to get published, that person needs to read Alia Habib’s forthcoming book, "Take It From Me." She not only provides her own experienced agent’s perspective but those of many other professionals from the conception, dipping-the-toes essay articles through editing to pub day—the day the book is finally released to the public. From the outside, publishing looks daunting: so many manuscripts aren’t even read by editors and fewer are accepted. But if the writer wants to break through into the “real” publishing world, and not remain in self-publication, Habib provides the do’s and don't’s of submission, marketing, etc.

There are helpful summaries at the end of each chapter: key takeaways. So if the reader is re-reading, or trying to know which pitfalls to avoid in the next stage of launching a book, these are really helpful. Also, helpful because a few chapters can be too long.

The book itself is very readable, as if the author is in a conversation with you. Also, there are moments when the author pulls back the veil on the process for this book. But being in the publishing world and having shepherded many authors’ books onto bookstore shelves, there are plenty of anecdotes to back up her advice. And a few moments of vulnerability as well when describing the stumbles by the author when negotiating on her clients’ behalf. 

If I was interested in publishing (again), I would definitely refer to Habib’s book many times for guidance.

I’m appreciative of the publisher for providing an advanced copy.