Most applications these days are at least somewhat network aware, but how do you protect those applications against common network security threats? Many developers are turning to OpenSSL, an open source version of SSL/TLS, which is the most widely used protocol for secure network communications.

The OpenSSL library is seeing widespread adoption for web sites that require cryptographic functions to protect a broad range of sensitive information, such as credit card numbers and other financial transactions. The library is the only free, full-featured SSL implementation for C and C++, and it can be used programmatically or from the command line to secure most TCP-based network protocols.

Network Security with OpenSSL enables developers to use this protocol much more effectively. Traditionally, getting something simple done in OpenSSL could easily take weeks. This concise book gives you the guidance you need to avoid pitfalls, while allowing you to take advantage of the library?s advanced features. And, instead of bogging you down in the technical details of how SSL works under the hood, this book provides only the information that is necessary to use OpenSSL safely and effectively. In step-by-step fashion, the book details the challenges in securing network communications, and shows you how to use OpenSSL tools to best meet those challenges.

As a system or network administrator, you will benefit from the thorough treatment of the OpenSSL command-line interface, as well as from step-by-step directions for obtaining certificates and setting up your own certification authority. As a developer, you will further benefit from the in-depth discussions and examples of how to use OpenSSL in your own programs. Although OpenSSL is written in C, information on how to use OpenSSL with Perl, Python and PHP is also included.

OpenSSL may well answer your need to protect sensitive data. If that?s the case, Network Security with OpenSSL is the only guide available on the subject.

Average Customer Review: ( 15 customer reviews )
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One thing that it lacks is tie-ins with Java; most of its examples are in Perl
and Python. I'm currently trying to see if certain ideas can be implemented in Java.

A great book, and great read!

4 of 4 found the following review helpful:

good for programmersFeb 27, 2008
By Eric J. Wu
Contents: intro, openssl command line, PKI, then programming: support infrastructure, ssl, symmetric keys, hashes, public keys, and openSSL for Perl, Python, and PHP.

As others have noted, this is a great book for programming. It's not as detailed if you are looking to set up your own PKI. Basically it is about 30 pages of the openssl command (using symmetric keys, generating private keys, making certificates, signing them) and ~270 pages or so of programming.

8 of 10 found the following review helpful:

THE best book out on the OpenSSL...Sep 20, 2002
By David Potashnik
If you're interested in doing real SSL -- buy this book. It is a one-stop-shop for everything you'll need to know about implementing OpenSSL. If you've tried to implement OpenSSL, and found yourself confused by the lack of documentation for such a powerful tool, your problem is solved. There's no other book that targets this tool quite like this. A book on OpenSSL is long overdue, finally one has arrived!

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