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)

Awesome book, Great story.

Any additional comments?

Great story, it takes you on a ride. The story itself is vey compelling and even though it can get a little technical (which I love) those who aren't into technology can still keep up. I love hacker stories, and this one is the best I've read so far.

Time Well Spent

I wasn't sure what to expect but it held my attention throughout. It makes you think about how much this must occur that we never know about. It made me want to learn more about this subject. Well worth it!

Roller-coaster Ride

Roller-coaster ride, in a good way. Exciting and informative. Read this. You will learn a lot along the way.

Loved it. Couldn't wait for more

Great book, well performed.

I was hesitant after some reviewers commented on the author's level of ego; I now believe that these people belong in the same group as those who couldn't grasp that it was all for the thrill of the game.

The author did a wonderful job of explaining just enough information so the reader could follow the hacks, but not so much that it felt like the reader needed to take notes.

I loved how the book had various story lines interwoven in such a way that we readers could enjoy many social engineering attacks without feeling as if they were repetitive.

I highly recommend this book. In fact, I know that I will read it again before too long.

A must read!

If your interested in information security or just tech in general this is a must read!

Great story, well read

A great story by Mitnick and Simon has been given emotion and passion in the narration by Ray Porter. I really enjoyed both book and performance.

Story of an egomaniac

I would put this book in the same category as Steve Jobs’ bio. He is so self-engrossed that he doesn’t see the pain or costs he caused others, An egomaniac. Having said that, I feel this book is educational and worth listening to. The technology is outdated, but concepts still apply. I am now more aware of the danger of social engineering.

Impressive yet tiresome

Kevin Mitnick and his social engineering skills are impressive! I was very engaged at the beginning of the book, but found it got redundant and tiresome by the end. I think part of it is he’s not a very likable character/person so you don’t get invested in his life outcome. It was example after example but with what felt like little story line or emotional pull towards him. Full respect to him and what he’s accomplished, but as a read I found it just alright.

Worthy of five stars, if not more

One of the most compelling books in my audible.com library, and I have more than a hundred. Although he was one of the most hotly-pursued and agressively prosecuted hackers ever, in the end Kevin Mitnick has done us all a favor: making computer networks and phone systems more secure. And he's done us another favor: writing page-turners.

Mitnick, himself, is easy to like. He's no reptile. Besides his remarkable intellegence and resoursefulness, he has a conscience and a sense of humor.

Lastly, Porter's narration is excellent. He reads the book as though he wrote it himself. Nice job, Ray.

Remarkably well read

The narrator made me feel as if Kevin Mitnick was actually speaking to me. The story is honest, suspenseful, and eye-opening. There was a little too much technical jargon for my taste, but I understand that the more computer-savvy listeners would appreciate it.