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)

Mitnick's Marvelous Memoire "Ghost in The Wires"

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

Best Non-Fiction audiobook. Top ten percent overall. An amazing, true computer, telephone, and law enforcement system hacker.

What other book might you compare Ghost in the Wires to and why?

Jurassaic Park, the first book I ever started reading over immediately. The premise was very original and the whole book fiction.

Which scene was your favorite?

Kevin remotely listening in on the White Collar Crime Unit conference call discussing how they had no idea how he was doing what he did, penetrating various systems, with strong safeguards, and what they had to do to trap him.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Mitnick can find you if the Social Security Administration knows you exist.

Any additional comments?

Ray Porter's narration is perfect! He is Kevin Mitnick. Listening to Audible's "Ghost in the Wires" is like having Kevin Mitnick sitting down with you, telling you his story, one on one. Kevin started as a young kid with a thirst for computer and telephone system knowledge. He did it to learn and have fun, never for money. He was forced into self-defense because the FBI, Police, and Judges were convinced many stories printed in newspapers were true, when they were totally made up and planted. He figured out how to be the seventh caller and win the radio station $1,000 prize legally, and many times! Curious? Listen to the audiobook!

Better than fiction

In my opinion this is the best tech book out there. It is riveting, and once started it's difficult to turn off. This is quite accurately, a book about Kevin Mitnick's adventures as the worlds most wanted hacker. The story itself is amazing, what's even better is the amount of detail Mitnick reveals. He often remembers the exact way he hacked into various systems and talks about that in detail. The narrator wasn't bad, but I would've enjoyed it more if his voice was more like Mitnick's. Many people have claimed that he comes off as very arrogant in this book but I didn't feel the same. He definitely doesn't come across as a saint, and sometimes plays down his actions, but he also seems very human and probably a little too trustworthy of friends. Like I said, this is the best tech book out there, if you're into technology... read it. If you're not, listen to the sample and decide for yourself; This book is interesting enough to appeal to the general public though you'll need some understanding of technology to understand all the details.

A bit technical at points, but very good

When the book goes into the more technical aspects it was harder to follow, but you can still get the point of what Mitnick was doing. Even though he knew what he was doing was illegal and would land him in jail, I think the most interesting part of the book was how Mitnick was treated when he was caught.

For Lovers of Tech & Hack Alike

I thoroughly enjoyed every development of this book. The numerous stories of dubious hacking deeds just hit the spot. The fact that these are true stories told by the man who did it makes it the more exciting. I would say this is a good book for anyone but especially for those who enjoy technology and the underworld of hacking.

Great Story

If you liked the movie "Catch Me If You Can" , you will like this book.

great book

this is a great book that I have listened to multiple times! well worth your time

Fantastic Story!!!

This was an amazing story. It is also very detailed-oriented for techies. LOVED IT! i am going to start listening to it again right now:)

A dream that became reality

It's been years since I've actually picked up a book and read it. Well nowadays hear it through audiobook. I've heard whispers, theories, damages, and the success of Kevin but didnt actually do research or anything of any sort. I just let it be and continued with my day to day life. After been recommended this book because I myself in the I.T world, I couldn't stop reading it. this is an awesome book and anyone who in the I.T world should read it. You'll be amazed by his life story of hacking

Amazing story about the art of social engineering

Even if the stories in this book are half true they are still amazing. The ending of the book is a little predictable though.

super engaging and interesting

it was fun hearing directly from mitnick and amazing that he was addicted to hacking without financial gain as a motivator