Kevin Mitnick, the world's most wanted computer hacker, managed to hack into some of the country's most powerful - and seemingly impenetrable - agencies and companies. By conning employees into giving him private information and maneuvering through layers of security, he gained access to data that no one else could. The suspenseful heart of the book unfolds as Mitnick disappears on a three-year run from the FBI. He creates fake identities, finds jobs at a law firm and hospital, and keeps tabs on his myriad pursuers - all while continuing to hack into computer systems and phone company switches that were considered flawless. A modern, technology-driven adventure story, GHOST IN THE WIRES is a dramatic account of the joy of outsmarting security programs, the satisfaction of code-cracking, and the thrill of unbelievable escape.
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'Terse and snappy, it reads like Raymond Chandler and provides detailed insight into a time in computer history that already seems quaint. Kevin Mitnick was and is a true Internet pioneer' John Perry Barlow, co-founder of the Electronic Frontier Foundation; known as the Thomas Jefferson of cyberspace 'Intriguing, insightful and extremely educational into the mind of one who truly mastered the art of social engineering with the use of a computer and modern day technologies' Frank W. Abagnale, author of Catch Me if You Can 'At last, America's most famous hacker tells his headline-making story from his own point of view. The result is more than just a meticulous chronicle of Kevin Mitnick's hacks - it's an expose of the invisible bureaucratic machinery underlying nearly every aspect of our lives, and how easily it's subverted by a smooth-taking grifter who sees all the moving parts. A fascinating read' Kevin Poulsen, author of Kingpin: How One Hacker Took Over the Billion Dollar Cyber Crime Underground
Book Description
Kevin Mitnick's long-awaited memoir of computer hacking and FBI skirting, revealed now after seven years of government-mandated silence.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By The Duke
Format:Hardcover
I have been an avid follower of the Mitnick saga for many many years and have read many publications about and by the man. I even have to admit watching that Takedown film which in no way captures the reality of the character or situation. Although I myself work in the scurity testing industry, the sheer ingenuity and skill of this guy begs belief. This book sets the story straight. It isn't overly technical so shouldn't deter the casual reader. Kevin is obviously a very clever guy but after reading this book he never comes across as arrogant or big headed as are many in this field who I have met. Contrary to popular belief and news reports he only had an overwhelming quest for knowledge and never used the information he gleaned for personal gain. The story itself is almost like a classic chase spy thriller, except it's all real. Definately worth reading. I found it highly entertaining when the authorities were afraid to let him near any technology for fear he could set off some worldwide disaster. Congratulations for at last telling the true story of Kevin Mitnick.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
When it comes to true crime, I'm pretty squeamish. Nothing violent, please. Clever and devious are what I'm looking for. Frank Abagnale's Catch Me If You Can: The True Story Of A Real Fake is one of the best, and it's hard not to compare any subsequent caper story to it.
Ghost in the Wires doesn't reach the level of audacity of Catch Me if You Can - impersonating technicians over the phone doesn't rise to the sheer nerve of a teenager impersonating an airline pilot or a doctor, as Abagnale did, and getting away with it. But Ghost in the Wires goes well beyond the adolescent bragfest of phone hacks that it could have been.
I think this is largely due to the co-writer, William L. Simon. Kevin Mitnick describes in his acknowledgments, how he and Simon argued over how detailed and technical the book should be, and apparently Simon prevailed. There's enough detail to explain how the scams were possible, but not so specific as to send the non-programmer into a hexadecimal stupor.
Another big plus is that many of the hacks depended as much on what Mitnick calls "social engineering" as on specialist knowledge. Unlike the stereotypical computer nerd, Mitnick was as comfortable and proficient at schmoozing people as he was writing code - he could talk his way into places that were restricted and convince people he was entitled to classified information. These were scams anyone can understand.
Mitnick also succeeds at not crossing the line from confident to insufferable, which is another pitfall of true crime tell-alls. Perhaps we can once again thank William Simon for this achievement.
I expected to skim this 400-page book but ended up reading every word. Mitnick was unbelievably audacious, and he says he never profited from his exploits. Knowing the risks (especially after he had already spent an unpleasant stretch in prison), how could he continue to risk getting caught again? He claims he was addicted to hacking, and while that seemed to me a sorry excuse for criminal behavior, it started to seem like a possibility. Or another con, perhaps.
Whatever Mitnick's reasons, Ghost in the Wires is as much fun to read as any summer thriller.
Ghost in the Wires doesn't reach the level of audacity of Catch Me if You Can - impersonating technicians over the phone doesn't rise to the sheer nerve of a teenager impersonating an airline pilot or a doctor, as Abagnale did, and getting away with it. But Ghost in the Wires goes well beyond the adolescent bragfest of phone hacks that it could have been.
I think this is largely due to the co-writer, William L. Simon. Kevin Mitnick describes in his acknowledgments, how he and Simon argued over how detailed and technical the book should be, and apparently Simon prevailed. There's enough detail to explain how the scams were possible, but not so specific as to send the non-programmer into a hexadecimal stupor.
Another big plus is that many of the hacks depended as much on what Mitnick calls "social engineering" as on specialist knowledge. Unlike the stereotypical computer nerd, Mitnick was as comfortable and proficient at schmoozing people as he was writing code - he could talk his way into places that were restricted and convince people he was entitled to classified information. These were scams anyone can understand.
Mitnick also succeeds at not crossing the line from confident to insufferable, which is another pitfall of true crime tell-alls. Perhaps we can once again thank William Simon for this achievement.
I expected to skim this 400-page book but ended up reading every word. Mitnick was unbelievably audacious, and he says he never profited from his exploits. Knowing the risks (especially after he had already spent an unpleasant stretch in prison), how could he continue to risk getting caught again? He claims he was addicted to hacking, and while that seemed to me a sorry excuse for criminal behavior, it started to seem like a possibility. Or another con, perhaps.
Whatever Mitnick's reasons, Ghost in the Wires is as much fun to read as any summer thriller.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I was a first year comp.sci.student when Mitnick was caught and always wondered about the real stories behind it all, so it was a real delight to finally read Mitnick's own words on his exploits in this very readable book.
He's not very apologetic about his actions (which consist mostly of talking people into given him information he shouldn't have, rather than actual hacking though there's a little of that as well). He's always got some excuse ready to justify the 'just one more hack.' The unapologetic nature of the book may be off-putting to some readers, but I find it refreshingly honest.
As someone who hacked his way through an unchallenging time in high school, in a time before the Internet where you had to figure out everything on your own, I totally understand the excitement and the lure he experienced, but thankfully I was able to stop before it got me into any serious trouble. Decades later, I find that my most skilled colleagues in the programming field are those who already in their teens were interested in figuring out 'how stuff worked' - actions which today would've landed them in jail...
He's not very apologetic about his actions (which consist mostly of talking people into given him information he shouldn't have, rather than actual hacking though there's a little of that as well). He's always got some excuse ready to justify the 'just one more hack.' The unapologetic nature of the book may be off-putting to some readers, but I find it refreshingly honest.
As someone who hacked his way through an unchallenging time in high school, in a time before the Internet where you had to figure out everything on your own, I totally understand the excitement and the lure he experienced, but thankfully I was able to stop before it got me into any serious trouble. Decades later, I find that my most skilled colleagues in the programming field are those who already in their teens were interested in figuring out 'how stuff worked' - actions which today would've landed them in jail...
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book
I really enjoyed reading this book I couldnt put it down once I had started even though I had already heard the story from Kevin Mitnick interviews on youtube. Read more
Published 1 month ago by David Coughlan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Compelling!!!
This is my first time reviewing a book on here and felt I had to as it really is a compelling read.If you are buying this book you will have a fair idea of what the story is about... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Docherty
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hacktastic!
As someone in the hacking community I found this book to be an excellent read, exciting and technologically interesting. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Drew Watson
5.0 out of 5 stars
A treat to read and better then an Ian Fleming novel.
I read Kevin Mitnick's first book about hacking and I was hooked. its a great read, as is this book and it tells you so much about social engineering and how hackers do it. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Graham
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thoroughly recommended
A very good book. Entertaining to read, with plenty of technical detail if your interested, but mostly about Kevin and the people involved. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Mr. J. Barker
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best Book in ages
Best book that I have read in ages, almost on par with the Art of Deception, Would highly recommend that anybody reads this
Published 10 months ago by mr k wincott
5.0 out of 5 stars
I want to read again
Listened to this book on audio book, I want to listen again.
A truly amazing book, I am so glad I found it. Well written with a extremely exciting story and tempo. Read more
A truly amazing book, I am so glad I found it. Well written with a extremely exciting story and tempo. Read more
Published 11 months ago by BooBooBurns
3.0 out of 5 stars
Engaging read, dubious morals
Whilst an utterly engaging read, Mitnick's account of his exploits is at no point apologetic. Instead he seems to truly believe that he did not do anything wrong, he was just... Read more
Published 11 months ago by mal
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thrilling and realistic
Having read all of Kevin's other books, I was very much looking forward to this one. Kevin and his co-writer William Simon have come out with another stonker that will keep you... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Chequer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fact > Fiction
The first thing that comes to mind when writing a review for this book is WOW!
The first time I came across Kevin Mitnick and the Kevin Mitnick Story (The Myth of Kevin... Read more
The first time I came across Kevin Mitnick and the Kevin Mitnick Story (The Myth of Kevin... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Leigh
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