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)

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.

Cybersecurity essential

Anybody in the cyber security field should read this. Kevin's story on how his curiosity led to a career as one of the industry's cybersecurity leaders

Wow! Just wow!

My manager recommended this book and I totally get why he thought it was so great! In addition to being a great story that is riveting in so many places, it also has me thinking about security in ways that I just didn’t before. The book also referenced other books at the end that I am quite excited to start!

Social engineering at it's best!

Loved it! If want to know why he did it then this is for you.

Incredible and unique personal story

I was curious about Ghost in the Wires because it was a different view of Kevin Mitnick’s experience. It went into far more technical and personal detail, and offered wonderful insight into how he became the “World’s Most Famous Hacker”. I enjoyed it immensely and highly recommend to anyone with interest in the methods used or (more importantly) the path to a new life.

One of a kind audiobook

Very interesting audiobook from the king of hackers! Extremely unique and entertaining book! Fun ride!

Fantastic Book

There’s really no way for me to summarize the immense details in this book. The stories contained within run the gamut from serious, to insightful, from comedic, to scary. No it’s not scary because of what he did or could do. It’s sparks a bit of fear in those that are skilled in a given area of expertise.

Mr. Mitnick was highly skilled in an area that few could comprehend. He was the magician that traveled to a village for a show, for no charge. His payment was in the satisfaction of accomplishing his trade. His trophy was the source code, the client list, or some other guarded flag, not because of what he could gain financially, but because it was hard to obtain. Many in the village of the layman were scared because they knew nothing about the how; and ignorance fosters fear.

He was often blamed for many things that he didn’t do. Rather, they fabricated stories and fantastic rumors to justify the infringement on his rights. He can whistle into a phone and launch a nuclear missile, and that is why he cannot have his bail case heard. When you are in his presence, be sure to turn your ID badge over because we don’t know how he does it, but he controls computers around the world with his thoughts. He is the computer whisperer.

Be wary those of you that possess extraordinary skill and pray that no child falls sick, less you become the wicked.

Towards the end of the book you’ll hear him describe a couple of these instances.