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)

Amazing !

Kevin Mitnick has just become one of my heroes. This is an amazing journey into the life of one of best hackers in the world. Definitely recommend for everyone.

Highly Recommended

Fascinating story and one of the best audio books I've ever listened too. I hated to reach my destination and have to stop listening.

FREE KEVIN!

Any additional comments?

Being a teenager around the beginning of the Myth of Kevin i always wanted to know more about him. I was one of those teenagers stuck in a dark room with a 300bps modem connecting to BBS systems , and looking for the 0 day warez. Spent most of my middle school and high school time exploring telecom systems and the ever evolving internet.

I enjoyed Kevin's story, I enjoyed the level of technical description, but I really enjoyed was the stories into social engineering. I mean really? People just give up the info so easily? As a telecom employee I never gave up any information that could get my walls breeched, or was I socially engineered and not even know it. Thats how good he was.

I felt at times that he embellished portions of the book, or really just over acted some parts. In the end its his story and it is a wild one , he can say what he wants. Some portions of the book seem to serve as an apology message.

I will share this will my old "Computer" buddies.

Riveting!

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

I will definitely listen to this book again. As an IT person myself I found the content simply captivating, and realised that Kevin Mitnick was doing what many of us IT folks do - becoming consumed in it. It just happens.

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

When the helicopter was hovering overhead and Kevin was really on the run, it was like you were living every moment with him.

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

Ray Porter was a superb narrator and did the book justice. My favorite character would probably be Kevin himself - portraying his obvious frustrations and moments of elation.

Any additional comments?

This has to be one of THE best audio books I have listened to. I could not

I couldn't stop listening to this book

This was the kind of book that I could not wait to listen to once I started. I was not always sympathetic with Kevin as he made excuses about his behavior but this was seldom a problem. The book is very well-written and very interesting. You do not have to be a computer wizard to understand or enjoy it.

A Real World Hero/Villain Story

The story flowed smoothly and was very addicting to listen to. To be honest, I felt somewhat bad when the book ended.

Ended too Quickly

Where does Ghost in the Wires rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book is certainly one of the better

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

Being familiar with telecomm, software, and customer service, I was shocked and understanding at the same time that most of the major

What about Ray Porter’s performance did you like?

Ray Porter does a great job with the read and I will look for other books he narrates based on this performance.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

My only complaint is that this book was too short. I listen on my 20 minute drive to and from work and I found myself sitting in the garage listening until the end of a chapter.

Thrilling and Informative

The book was amazing! I read it for a Criminology class in undergrad at Kstate.

Ray Porter is amazing as always

The social engineering portions are good and Porter does amazing narration as always. Mitnick is kind of an idiot in his hacking addition but pens a good book.

Phenomenal story, very good narration

Knowing that it is a real life story makes it very exciting to listen. One disclaimer, growing up with the fame of Mitnick of course affects the impression of the book on me.