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Hacking For Dummies, 8th edition…It’s official!
15 Oct 2025After months of writing, revising, and updating real-world examples, Hacking For Dummies, 8th Edition is finally out in the wild.
👉 Get it here on Amazon (affiliate link)This book has been a part of my professional life for over two decades now. Thanks to you — my readers, clients, and colleagues — it’s been translated into nine languages and remains the top-selling book in its category over the past decade. That’s humbling, and I don’t take it lightly. Thanks so much for your support!
What’s New in the 8th Edition?
This isn’t a rehash of limited value. I refreshed the content to reflect where security testing is really happening today across hybrid networks, remote work setups, and increasingly AI-driven systems. While I don’t share all my secrets, the book does cover a very large percentage of what I do in my work.
Here’s what I included:
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Hands-on guidance for vulnerability and penetration testing …how to find weaknesses in network hosts, operating systems, applications, and yes… even people.
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Real-world insights from the field …lessons drawn directly from my consulting work and security assessments.
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AI in security testing …how to leverage modern tools to uncover what truly matters, not just what makes headlines.
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The hacker mindset …how to think like an attacker to defend better.
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Reporting and risk communication …how to turn technical findings into business decisions that leaders will act on or otherwise support.
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Common testing mistakes …and how to avoid them.
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Getting buy-in …because tools don’t fix what culture and politics resist.
As always, my goal with this edition was to strip away the fluff and deliver practical, no-nonsense guidance that works — whether you’re new to the field or you’ve been doing this for years or even decades.
Why Do I Still Write This Book?
After all these years, the fundamentals haven’t changed as much as people think. We still see the same vulnerabilities, the same missing patches, and the same organizational blind spots. The difference now is scale and complexity, especially with AI involved.
That’s why Hacking For Dummies exists…to help you focus on what actually matters and moves the needle. Because you can’t secure what you don’t acknowledge. 🙂
Would You Be Willing to Help?
If my writing, speaking, or consulting work has helped you in some way, I’d be grateful if you’d pick up a copy. Early sales on launch day make a real difference on Amazon. They help the book reach new readers and keep it visible in a sea of noise.
Buy Hacking for Dummies, 8th Edition on Amazon You can also find it at Barnes & Noble and other major retailers.
Thank you…truly…for the support and encouragement over the years. 🙏
Let’s keep making this the go-to guide for practical, real-world vulnerability and penetration testing!
#HackingForDummies #InfoSec #PenTesting #AI #CISO #CIO #SysAdmin #IT #SecurityTesting #VAPT #vulnerabilitytesting #coolbooks #newbooks #KevinBeaver
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Client Testimonials
“A business associate referred our company to Principle Logic when we were seeking a resource to perform vulnerability /penetration testing for our external and internal networks. We found Kevin Beaver to be professional, well informed, and easy to work with. His testing did not disrupt our networks, and his progress updates were timely.
His final report was very thorough and included security recommendations for our network environment. The executive leadership was so impressed with Kevin’s security expertise, they have extended their agreement to continue to perform periodic testing. We highly recommend Kevin Beaver and Principle Logic as a resource for network security testing.”
(IT managed services firm)
I’ve written/co-written 12 books on information security including one of the best-sellers of all time:
