Java networking?

Question

First off, before I ask, i would like to point out that this question is for education. I want to know to expand my understanding of Java and network security (what little there is).

How could you use Java for network security and counter attacks? I have been using server/sockets for a while now (for non system security stuffs), but I don't quite understand what I'm doing. Naturally, I should learn up on networking, but where to start? There is a protocol for everything, heck there are protocols to have protocols. To further expand, how could you use Java to say, port sniff, catch packets or kill/open a port remotely?

I guess to phrase the question more adequately; does anyone know of any good sources that I could look at to get a more in depth look/study of how Java handles network security and counter hacking and malware containment?

Answer 1

I think the best thing to do would be to learn concepts, then worry about using Java to implement the concepts later on. There are some gaps in your understanding (for example, I don't even know what "open a port remotely" might mean) and the best thing to do would be to solidify your understanding of how networks work first.

I don't really have a list of network security texts I can recommend -- probably someone else will! -- but IMHO it might not hurt to start with a classic like Steven's "UNIX Network Programming" to shore up the fundamentals, if you can find a copy.