VX-Underground Black Mass Volume 1
vx-underground (Collective / Smelly_vx)
📚 Genre
Computer Science - Cybersecurity, Malware Research, Zine
🏢 Publisher
vx-underground (Independently Published via Amazon KDP)
📅 Publication Year
2021
🔢 ISBN
979-8735311287
About This Book
Black Mass is a compilation of papers, code analysis, and malware source code curated by the vx-underground community. It focuses on the technical aspects of virus development (VX), assembly language, and exploit techniques. The cover features a pixel-art style aesthetic depicting hooded figures performing a 'black mass' over levitating computer hardware and a hexagram, reflecting the underground, counter-culture roots of the malware research scene.
Book Details
Language
English
Pages
514 pages
Edition
First Edition (Paperback)
Series
Black Mass, Volume 1 (Subsequent volumes have followed)
Target Audience
Cybersecurity Professionals, Malware Analysts, Academic Researchers, and Hobbyist Programmers
Collector Information
Condition
Fair to Good. There is a visible scratch or adhesive residue mark on the lower right quadrant of the cover (near the hooded figures). Edges show slight shelf wear.
Estimated Value
$25.00 - $40.00
Rarity
Uncommon. While it was printed on-demand via Amazon, versions are often taken down or modified due to the sensitive nature of the code content. It is most commonly found within niche technical circles.
Historical Significance
vx-underground is the largest collection of malware source code on the internet. This book represents a physical preservation of ephemeral 'zine' culture within the cybersecurity community, providing a bridge between the historical 1990s virus-writing underground and modern info-sec research.
Collector Notes
The primary value in this edition is its association with the vx-underground brand. Collectors should look for clean, unscratched covers as the matte finish of this specific publisher (KDP) is prone to scuffing and fingerprints. Due to the high-contrast red and black ink, spine creasing is very visible on used copies. The copy in the image has significant surface damage on the right side which detracts from its collector value.
Similar Books
The Giant Black Book of Computer Viruses by Mark Ludwig, PoC||GTFO by Manul Laphroaig, Malware Analyst's Cookook by Michael Ligh, Practical Malware Analysis by Michael Sikorski
Notable Features
Includes source code for various pieces of historical and modern malware; includes commentary from creators and researchers; features unique pixel-art illustrations throughout.
Notes
Filled with detailed computer code, along with what seems to be the writers reasons for making such software