Ghost in the Wires

My Adventures as the World’s Most Wanted Hacker

By: Kevin Mitnick, William L. Simon

Narrated by: Ray Porter

Length: 13 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

Kevin Mitnick was the most elusive computer break-in artist in history. He accessed computers and networks at the world’s biggest companies—and however fast the authorities were, Mitnick was faster, sprinting through phone switches, computer systems, and cellular networks. He spent years skipping through cyberspace, always three steps ahead and labeled unstoppable. But for Kevin, hacking wasn’t just about technological feats—it was an old fashioned confidence game that required guile and deception to trick the unwitting out of valuable information.

Driven by a powerful urge to accomplish the impossible, Mitnick bypassed security systems and blazed into major organizations including Motorola, Sun Microsystems, and Pacific Bell. But as the FBI’s net began to tighten, Kevin went on the run, engaging in an increasingly sophisticated cat-and-mouse game that led through false identities, a host of cities, plenty of close shaves, and 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 escape and a portrait of a visionary whose creativity, skills, and persistence forced the authorities to rethink the way they pursued him, inspiring ripples that brought permanent changes in the way people and companies protect their most sensitive information.

©2011 Kevin Mitnick. Foreword 2011 by Steve Wozniak (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“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. I strongly believe that one can learn a great deal about protecting themselves once they understand how another one perpetrates the crime.” (Frank W. Abagnale, author of Catch Me If You Can)

Yes

Insane journey. Worth every penny.
To those who dedicate themselves to the computer, you will understand.

Wow

It's an exciting book packed with lots of experience in what Mr Mitnick has been through.

❤️💕

I really enjoyed listening and reading this book (I went back and for with both). Before reading thing book I didn’t even know who Kevin Mitnick was, I just recently got interested in cyber security and was referred this book. It kept me interested and even when I thought Kevin was gonna do right and put away his life of hacking he went right back lol. I admired his mom and grams unconditional love for him, that was dope. At the end of the book, I enjoyed looking at the pictures of him. I had this vision of him in my head as I was reading, (it took everything in me for some reason not look up his pictures of google image) I was completely off lol, but I enjoyed looking at the pictures of him as a kid and all the people he mentioned. Super good read!

It Gets Technical, Which Is A Great Thing

If you could sum up Ghost in the Wires in three words, what would they be?

A step ahead

What did you like best about this story?

The detail that is recalled in the book is remarkable. This story of one of the greatest "virtual" escape artists is very intriguing.

Any additional comments?

I would highly recommend this audio book, especially to those who are technically inclined but also to those who enjoy to learn how things work. One of the best books I have listened to in a long time.

Great story, we'll read, highly suggest

Didn't want to stop listening. This is like Jason bourne but using computers instead of guns and a true story.

I enjoyed this book very much.

I enjoyed all the details, Kevin, thank you for sharing your story. The narrator did a very good job reading, he captured the emotions well. Kevin, seemed very honest and forthright about everything he had done and knew it was not right. I wonder if Kevin ever felt or feels now, sympathy for the hurt feelings, the invasion of privacy, and the emotional roller coasters he caused so many people. I'm glad he has the opportunity to use his amazing skills to help people now. I look forward to learning more about Kevin and his company. Thank you again, Kevin for telling your story. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been to relive all of that as you remembered and wrote the good bad and ugly. As deceitful as you were when you were younger, you told your story very honestly. Great job. Really.

Phone Freaking and Late 80s/Early 90s PC Exploits

This book's version of hacking is not what we think of today in 2018. Kevin Mitnick began as a phone freaker, and indeed at least half of this book involves phone company antics and social engineering. This should not be a deterrent; there is plenty of technological jargon in here for the technically-minded listener, but throughout the course of the book, the reading can be a little bit overdramatic, or too casual. Whenever something goes wrong, the random curses running through Kevin's mind will often be vocalized and stretched out, "Fuuuu----". This can get a little bit tedious, but overall, this is a fun and interesting listen.

kevin should be studied as part of any BBA

I have taken IT security awareness and social engineering training, but nothing in these trainings come close to prevent Mitnick to hack in to. So I am glad i got to read it to better understand the extend of the skills and capabilities a hacker may have and use.

Kevin's book should be studied as part of any businesses and IT programs in colleges, universities and vocational institutions.

An interesting and entertaining biography

I had never heard of Kevin Mitnick before reading this book, but gave it a chance after seeing the positive ratings it got and listening to the teaser sample, which was so interesting I had to hear more.

The rest of the book didn't disappoint. It was an interesting education and introduction into the world of computer hacking from the viewpoint of someone who was a "pioneer" in the field. Mitnick's story is a great way to understand the sub-culture, especially why people who are basically non-threatening can get caught up in criminal activity. After listening to how easy it was for him to get what he wanted through "social engineering" (aka very skillful lying), it is tempting to use the techniques myself next time I need something from my bank or phone provider. Alas, I am too honest for that, though. :)

I have a friend in the digital security industry who tells me that Mitnick has a bit of a reputation as a media-hog these days, which I can totally believe from the way he writes. From what I can tell, everything is factual, though.

Ray Porter does a good job reading the book, and is very convincing in expressing Kevin's emotions and alternate voices he would use when pretending to be other people. Only complaint is the rather bizarre vocal renderings of certain expletives that I can only assume must appear in the book as long, drawn out words (craaaaaaaaaaaaaaaappp!). Came out a bit strange.

I'm not sure how successful of a movie it could be, because there isn't a clear plot climax to it, but it could still be pretty entertaining to see him socially engineer people on screen.

Amazing Hacking Adventures

I was first intreagued then amazed as Kevin unwound his story in artful form. I became so involved that there were times that I just wanted to grab him and shake him saying don't do this, the are watching. He keeps you on the edge the whole way!