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)

A Little Tech-Wonky, But Overall A Good Listen

What did you love best about Ghost in the Wires?

The cat-and-mouse game between Kevin Mitnick and the Feds

Who was your favorite character and why?

Well, there's only one character in the book -- Mitnick. All others are mere ornaments.

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

This book is heavy on technical wonk. You have to really be into hacking to fully understand this book and share the author's excitement, as well as mind-numbing technical explanations.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

His first imprisonment in solitary confinement in the Federal Correctional Center in Los Angeles was grim. While there, his out-foxing of his captors to make contraband phone calls with hands were shackled behind his back was impressive.

Any additional comments?

The central thesis of the book is that Mitnick never harmed anyone or profited from his antics. That's not quite true. Innocent people got billed and paid for his bootleg phone calls.

I was surprised at how much of his hacking (he calls it "human engineering") was low-tech and non-electronic. He primarily phoned people at corporations, impersonated another employee, and conned them into disclosing confidential phone numbers and passwords.

By the end of the book I was rooting for the Feds. We can't have guys like this running around and running amok penetrating our confidential information and thieving identities. The next hacker might not be so benign.

Mitnick now claims to be on the Good Guys' side, consulting with corporations and government (no doubt for handsome fees).

Intriguing

This book is a great education on vulnerabilities of networked systems over twenty years ago. It gives an appreciation of security impacts on our current life.

Who knew hacking was so easy?

Anyone using the internet for buying, banking, business, etc, should listen to this fascinating book. You'll learn how to protect yourself from seemingly innocuous requests.

EXCELLENT!

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

I think the print may be better here due to the amount of numbers listed again and again. While it is not important to remember these they due distract from the story when the reader is listing them off.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The twists and turns this story takes, what an amazing life to have lived!

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

Yes! I couldn't put this book down finished it in 3 days!

Any additional comments?

If you lived through the ages of fax machines and when computers were really just in their infancy this is a must read!

Great, fun story!

Given that this is one man’s recap, who knows how true it ever really is. But I will say it was thoroughly enjoyable. Consider it a wedded version of the Fugitive meets Sneakers. Growing up during this era and remembering watching the Mitnick thing go down in real time made this listen a great travel back in time. Really enjoyed this book!

Outstanding, nerdily gripping!

I’m probably going to listen to his other book. Though tech has changed much since the ‘90s, it’s all still relevant.

Great story

Such a wild ride listening to this. I almost felt the same anxiety as Kevin because Ray Porter did a outstanding job reading

What a legend, RIP

Once learning of his passing, bought the book. What a character and pioneer! World would be much worse place without such rebels that oppose the “man” but in a way that they intend to cause no harm. Rest in peace Kevin, hack the cloud!

Amazing work. Amazing story

Great read even if you are not a computer hacker lol. Really crazy to hear all the stories of employees, free, willing, giving up information, trade, secrets, and even other peoples identities all based on Smoove docking

Details

The details that Kevin goes into, letting out information not previously disclosed. Great book. Would recommend to anyone who likes cyber crime stories.