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)

Fantastic!

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

Yes! The narrator is brilliant, making you think he lived Kevin's life.

What did you like best about this story?

It was never boring.

Which character – as performed by Ray Porter – was your favorite?

Kevin Mitnick, of course!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laugh. It also made my jaw drop at times that the gov wasn't catching on or understanding the hacker mentality.

So many times I sad "Kevin, noooo"

Loved it. Helped me comprehend a hackers motivation and determination. Very enlightening to anyone in IT or just in front of a keyboard.

Great story!

This was a great book. It was informative, humorous, intriguing, and all around great listen. The narration was superb and it made you feel like he was sitting next to you hearing Kevin's story. I'll definitely be listening to another Mitnick book.

Captivating!

I don't generally care for true stories so I wasn't sure what to expect with this book, but I truly loved it. I found myself looking for time to listen to it.

The story was well written, keeping you intrigued as to what would happen next, and the reader is perfect for this kind of book. He's also the reader in the Joe Ledger Novel series, and makes you feel like you are with him through everything he goes through.

I highly recommend this book to every kind of reader. Interesting, suspenseful, quick placed, and satisfying!

Good read

Great book about a genuinely fascinating man. narration was superb and easy to understand. enjoy

Very informative

I liked the reading but a little over my head on the computer lingo sometimes. I would recommend this book.

Facinating Read

I liked the book. It was really cool to hear how he pulled off what he did but it did start to feel more like a brag session.

Amazing

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

Great story on social engineering techniques and the sort of folks behind the action. Fun tale -- particularly as to how Kevin M. sussed out the FBI and turn the tables.

What a fun book!

I was intrigued by the title but could never have imagined how much fun I would have listening to a story about phone companies, 1's and 0's, software, source code, and all the other computer techno-talk. Kevin Mitnick's story was so incredulous and conveyed in such an entertaining way that I enjoyed every minute, often laughing out loud and having to tell my colleague at work what crazy thing I'd read Kevin getting up to that day. Read this book, it will give you an unexpected appreciation for the working of technology, the vulnerabilities of systems (the hard wired and human components) and a worthwhile insight into the mind of a man driven and enslaved by his love to solve a puzzle - and satisfied with just that, solving it! Ray Porter did a fantastic job narrating, I don't think I would have had as much fun reading the book myself!

An Amazing Life

What made the experience of listening to Ghost in the Wires the most enjoyable?

The story of Kevin Mitnick's life is like reading a spy novel, with the benefit that it is real!

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

The tale of the penetration test at the start. It is amazing how easy he manages to make these feats sound.

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

A matter of fact tone, but still has moments of great comic timing.