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)

Best narrator! Love the story!

Would you consider the audio edition of Ghost in the Wires to be better than the print version?

Never read the print version.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Ghost in the Wires?

So many good moments, especially towards the end.

What does Ray Porter bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Yes! Amazing!

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

Everything was interesting and entertaining.

Amazing story.

An amazing story well told and you don't need to be an IT person to enjoy it.

Whistling codes to launch NORAD missiles!

I've been following Kevin Mitnick's story since the late 90s. This book was a great behind the scenes look at how he got his start in phone phreaking, social engineering and hacking as a kid. It's as exciting as any spy novel out there and it's so detailed that I wonder if Kevin has a photographic memory or if some parts have been creatively "filled in" to supply missing details. I listened to the entire book in 2 days. The narrator does a good job reading the book. Now to go back and re-watch "Operation Takedown"! :)

Live wires...

Loved it. Kevin`s story is an interesting and inspiring one. He faught the good fight. Stuck to his guns and did much for the community.

Netflix series please.

This would make a great multi-season series. Truly jaw-dropping. I cried at the end. It’s almost like the story of Job in a weird way.

Interesting read with great social engineering tips

The story is actually closer to 3 1/2 stars. Without knowing Kevin Mitnick or having read anything about him before this book, he strikes me as being faithful to the events he outlines in the story. The anecdotes are interesting but do seem to become a bit repetitive. I’m not interested so much in the technical aspects of hacking, but descriptions about his use of social engineering are worth the read. I also enjoyed the narrator’s natural speaking style to convey Kevin’s thought processes.

Inside the Mind of a Hacker Addict

Very interesting tromp through the adventures and addictions of a phone and computer hacker. By the end I was convinced that he was a danger to national security. Thank heavens he turned his talent to helping defend systems.

The adventures of a true hacker!

What will happen next? Cannot put this book down for minutes! The narrator keeps it exciting and fresh.

Amazing- reads like a spy fi thriller. Loved it!

Kelvin mitnick will go down as one of the smartest individuals to ever walk the planet. This guy has the social engineering sills that very few people on the planet could ever posses. If you're looking for pure entertainment this is a must listen!!

Great book!

Would you listen to Ghost in the Wires again? Why?

Ghost in the wires is a really entertaining story of the worlds most famous hacker. Both the story and the narration is really good, and it is at true story.