Ghost in the Wires
My Adventures as the World's Most Wanted Hacker
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4.4 • 578 Ratings
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
In this "intriguing, insightful and extremely educational" novel, the world's most famous hacker teaches you easy cloaking and counter-measures for citizens and consumers in the age of Big Brother and Big Data (Frank W. Abagnale).
Kevin Mitnick was the most elusive computer break-in artist in history. He accessed computers and networks at the world's biggest companies -- and no matter how fast the authorities were, Mitnick was faster, sprinting through phone switches, computer systems, and cellular networks. As the FBI's net finally began to tighten, Mitnick went on the run, engaging in an increasingly sophisticated game of hide-and-seek that escalated through false identities, a host of cities, and plenty of close shaves, to an ultimate showdown with the Feds, who would stop at nothing to bring him down.
Ghost in the Wires is a thrilling true story of intrigue, suspense, and unbelievable escapes -- and a portrait of a visionary who forced the authorities to rethink the way they pursued him, and forced companies to rethink the way they protect their most sensitive information.
"Mitnick manages to make breaking computer code sound as action-packed as robbing a bank." -- NPR
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
It's the piquant human element that really animates this rollicking memoir of high-tech skullduggery. Mitnick (The Art of Deception) recounts his epic illegal computer hacks of Sun Microsystems, Digital Equipment Corporation, and any number of cellphone makers; his exploits triggered a manhunt that made headlines. He insists he did it not for money but for the transgressive thrill of looking at big, secret computer programs otherwise he apparently lived a threadbare existence on the lam and the claim rings true; there's something obsessive and pure about his need to hack and brag about it to others, habits which eventually brought about his downfall. Mitnick's hacking narratives are lucid to neophytes and catnip to people who love code, but the book's heart is his "social engineering" his preternatural ability to schmooze and manipulate. By learning their procedures and mimicking their lingo, he gets cops, technicians, DMV functionaries, and other mandarins his control over telephone companies is almost godlike to divulge their secrets and do his bidding. The considerable charm of this nonstop caper saga lies in seeing the giant, faceless bureaucracies that rule and regulate us unmasked as assemblages of hapless people dancing to a plucky con man's tune. Photos.
Customer Reviews
Good read but no responsibility taken
I found that the book was well written and very interesting. It had a great pace and an almost sympathetic lead character. In the long run I ended up wishing that Kevin would of taken more responsibility for his actions and admitted to the real damage he caused in violating the privacy of so many others so that he could get his thrills.
Fast paced thriller
Wow! Ghost in the Wires reads like a action thriller. There was never a dull moment and I couldn't put it down.
Great read! Highly recommend
Great read for even un-computer savvy folks like myself. Being in my 20's, I had no idea any of this was going on...
The book was fast-paced, well told, and intelligently written. Thanks Kevin and Bill for the time and effort in putting this together. I'll be looking forward to reading what you come out with in the future!