My Adventures as the World's Most Wanted Hacker - Ghost in the Wires

This book was very interesting, held my attention well but the simple writing style distracted me so that is why I gave the book 3 instead of 4 stars. The writing style reminded me of reading an intelligent 5th or 6th grader could write. I get the impression the author wrote the book, his coauthor was only allowed to tinker with it somewhat. If this is so, it would have been nice if the professional writer was allowed to write and Mr. Mitnick then "tinkered". Yes, this style does distract me to no end but the story is compelling enough so that I willingly read on.

Mitnick made the complicated computer world easy to understand for all of us non-techie people out here. I have no understanding of telephone switches or computer code so was wary that I may be reading something that was over my head. However, the writer explains the technology involved simply enough so that I understood what is happening without being lost but not "dumbed down" to idiot level so that those that have working knowledge of the technology involved won't be pounding their heads in the desk. (I believe.)

So, even stating the distracting writing style this book is well worth the read. It has reminded me of how the government plays dirty when needs fit especially, when it doesn't exactly understand the "crimes" and then has to save face to cover it's ignorance which then went on to inflate the Myth of Kevin Mitnick to the point of many worldwide pointing to the government, exposing many of the dirty deeds in the Free Kevin movement. Ah so, now we have a myth and a movement! Read the book and discover the facts.

I had never heard of Kevin Mitnick before reading this book. As someone born in 1990, I can scarcely remember the years of dial-up modems and purely text interfaces that feature so prominently in the story. It is a testament therefore that I never found myself lost in the minutia of technological jargon. Kevin Mitnick has a way of telling you all that you need to know in order to understand the story while still providing detail for you to dig deeper into if you so desire. The backdrop of early internet culture and technologies makes the story all the more exciting, set in a sort of wild west of telecommunications. The things one man could do with a computer less powerful than your graphing calculator are truly astonishing.

The tech-y nature of the story, however, never overshadows the human drama contained throughout the novel. Mitnick is a sympathetic yet flawed character: cunning but fallible, arrogant yet likeable. I found myself cheering him on and laughing mischievously along with him as he brazenly flaunts his skill and tenacity in the faces of some of the biggest communications companies in the world.

Every chapter builds upon the last, leading to the inevitable and dangerous game of cat and mouse to come in such a way that the set up alone is a worthy book in and of itself. And once the chase began, I could not put it down until I had seen it through to the end.

Ghost in the Wires is a real-life techno-crime thriller: the kind Hollywood writers lay awake at night trying to concoct.

A friend recommended this book to me as something I "had" to read...and she was right. Mr Mitnick's story is captivating. I found that I couldn't put the book down as I wanted to find out what he was going to do next and how the story would unfold. It is a bit slow at first, but well worth the read. I've added Mitnick to my summer reading list and can't wait to get reading.

This book is an easy read, if somewhat tedious at times. The actual technical details of how Mr. Mitnick managed to extract credit card information and cell phone "source code" is, fortunately, limited so nearly anyone can read this book and understand how he managed to avoid detection and capture as long as he did. The reader very quickly begins to understand that it takes a certain type of criminal mind to be able to react as fast as Mr. Mitnick does when he uses "social engineering" to con his victims into releasing security information or helping him gain entry into critical computer systems. I'm sure that many of these techniques might work today on unsuspecting individuals, a very scary thought. Speaking of scary, if Mr. Mitnick is to believed, (remember he is really good at lying) one has to question many of the newspaper stories about what alledged criminals have actually been able to accomplish. Mr. Mitnick, on numerous occasions, states that he did not break into national defense systems computers, yet the justice system and respected newspapers thought he did based on reports from people who were obviously not very reliable. In the end he was never charged with these crimes. So in addition to wondering just how secure my information available throught the internet is today I must also wonder how reliable anything I read is also. (Actually this is not a new revelation to me, just a reinforcement).

Mr. Mitnick also provides some additional insight into prison life, especially solitary confinement and how it can effect the mind. As I read the book, I could only wonder how much better the world might have been if he had directed his attention and energies to developing software and gadgets that would benefit society rather than satisfying his curiosity. Fortunately for us, he never really profited from his misadventures, and claims that he just "hacked" into computers and phone company switches for the intellectual pleasure of the whole thing, something that many technical geeks can well understand. Of course, in Mr. Mitnick's case it was more like an addiction, something it seems that he could not control. Fortunately, after spending a nice chunk of time in prison Mr. Mitnick found salvation in teaching others how to prevent security breaches and in running validation tests to insure that systems are as secure as possible. And as the book ends, Mr. Mitnick reports that at last he has reached the promised land; he can hack away legally and be respected for his skills, running a company that advises others on security issues. A Contributing member of society at last!

This is a great book to give someone some insight into the computer geek and how dedicated they sometimes are to performing tasks that might seem impossible at first thought. I can only wonder what socially accepted miracles he might have been able to perform had his earlier opportunities been better. We need only look to this book's foreward author, Steve Wozniak, cofounder of Apple, (and less successfully of Dancing with the Stars), to understand what computer geeks, with socially accepted goals, can contribute.

Well written account of the author's exploits in the shadows of the Internet. Exciting tales of eluding state and federal authorities, international travel, technical sorcery and much more. Fascinating first-hand personal insights into a life most of us will only experience through these pages. Should join the ranks of Where Wizards Stay Up Late and Hackers by Levy as a collector's item.

Was a fun read. Definitely detailed Mitnicks adventures prior ro his unnecessary arrest. Definitely recommend for anyone even remotely interested in phreaking, hacking, or just a good technology driven story.

This was a really fun read. Having worked in telephony, and programming these systems, it was fun to read about very clever ways they defeated the various systems. It takes a different sort of mind. I would love to see an accurate movie made of it.

If you want to understand what hacking is all about, and start at the beginning of it all, read this book! It is a great read, Ghost in the Wires combines an exciting story with some solid technical data on network security but how social engineering bypasses all software based security and uses the human as the weak element to penetrate the network. Warmly recommended!

I loved this book. It was so interesting reading about the past exploits and adventures of Kevin. There are good explanations of the technical methods and equipment he used so people without an IT background would be able to understand most of it.

The only part that I did not like was I kept wanting to look at the pictures included, but it would spoil the timeline for me since I would see a caption of what happend before I got to that part of the book.

I just finished Kevin's book about 30 minutes ago and I was blown away! The book was so well written and so personal, I almost feel like I am a personal friend of Kevin's at this point. Even though I already knew the outcome the story before I read the book, I still felt myself cheering and hoping that somehow Kevin would escape again and the book would keep on going. Unfortunately if you know the story of Kevin Mitnick, this does not happen, but the ride is fun while it lasts.

Almost anybody is going to be able to read this book and understand all of the explanations of Kevin's social engineering and probably even most of the hacking information. Even if there's a few things you may not know about (perhaps about gaining root access or packet sniffers), he does a wonderful job of explaining them in non-technical terms so their purpose is easily understood.

Overall this was an extremely exciting, fun and even suspenseful read and it was good to hear all of the details of the story from the main character himself.

I have been playing with computers since I was around 10 years old, for a bit over 25 years now. I've always known about the "Myth of Mitnick" but hadn't really learned much about him, as I have always been into hardware rather than software. Having said that, I really enjoyed this book. Anyone who is involved with computers always hears about the "underbelly" of hacking, but not everyone gets a first hand experience with it. It was also neat to hear and see Kevin's side of the story, and even learn that most of what he did wasn't even with computers, but simply talking to people! If you're at all interested in Mitnick, computers or hacking I suggest picking up a copy of Ghost in the Wires.

Ghost in the Wires by Kevin Mitnick with Wm. Simon, is a terrific story. Mitnick has a data addiction problem and spends most of his time feeding his habit. There is code he wants and methods of code transferring he has to work out and there is the social engineering he uses when his phone and keyboard can't get the job done. If all else fails there is breaking and entering and dumpster diving, all the while using ham radios to keep tabs on the law enforcement stalking him. The story of Mitnick's problem bounces between hilarious and depressing as he rebounds between victory and failure, never giving up his quest.
The story is an exciting foray into the world of hackers. Some of Mitnick's hacks take only minutes, but the great ones take months as he keeps going back in until he wins the trophy he's after, then his OCD addiction to data collecting takes over and he can't resist going deeper and deeper, getting the operating code, the source code, even the compiler! Mitnick is totally audacious as he tramps around some of the most sophisticated systems in the world, hiding his trophies and multiple copies of them, on unused disc space in university and huge corporate systems. He also has tapes, discs and notes stashed in storage lockers or with friends all over the country. Throughout the story Mitnick is constantly striving to keep his stolen prizes safe while plotting new attacks and keeping an eye on the FBI and Marshalls who have decided he is the trophy they want most.
Some of this story might exist between the lines and depend on a person's level of computer history and competence to comprehend it's there at all, pretty much like knowing if a hacker has been in your system, all you see are shadows, no footprints. There is some interesting tech in the book, but not enough to tell exactly how the hacks were done, though there is enough to create the temptation to maybe create algorithms and do a little backward engineering, just to see what it would look like. The codes at the beginning of each chapter are a great challenge for puzzlers and code freaks.
All in all the story presents a unique look into the early days of computing and a man who could have been dangerous, but wasn't. The historical value of the story is that the overblown, negative publicity generated by Mitnick's hacks frightened so many people that cyber security finally gotten taken seriously. The story makes for a good read if you're a history buff, Techie or just enjoy adventure.

Although this book deals with mostly phone hacking, which dates it, it is very very interesting. Kevin Mitnick was a genius at social engineering. The read is easy to follow, and although there are a lot of technical references, it contains enough information to make it almost like a spy novel. You want to keep reading to find out what happens next.

Kevin Mitnick lays bare what really happened. He never tries to claim innocence, instead telling in detail the social engineering and hacks he's done. And the horrible ways in which our law enforcement and courts broke the law to make an example of someone who only hacked for the challenge, not for money.

If you thought you were angry before about how laws were bent and broken in going after Kevin, prepare yourself.

Kevin Mitnick lays bare what really happened. He never tries to claim innocence, instead telling in detail the social engineering and hacks he's done. And the horrible ways in which our law enforcement and courts broke the law to make an example of someone who only hacked for the challenge, not for money.

If you thought you were angry before about how laws were bent and broken in going after Kevin, prepare yourself.

Social engineering is an overlooked part of a hackers toolkit. Kevin Mitnick really shows how important this tool is to hacker. We all think of hackers sitting with the computer all alone the dark but the reality is the interaction with the human element is the key to successful a hack. I enjoyed reading this quite a bit, it reminded me of working in phone boiler rooms in the 80s selling rare coins to would-be investors.

GITW is a captivating, honest, and thrilling telling of Kevin's life. I finished feeling like I knew him and certainly respect him more. It is technical enough for geeks but the real mastery of his work is found in how he approaches a challenge and exploits the inherent trust of people and the systems they use. Great read!

I was really impressed with this book. I downloaded it to my Kindle, and enjoyed it so much that I ordered the paperback edition to give to my sons to read (they are adults). I think that anyone who reads this will be pleased with the pace. It would be impossible not to learn something. It is one of my favorites in recent memory....and I read lots of books, etc.

I really enjoyed Ghost in the Wires. It tells the story of Kevin Mitnick in his own words and clears up any misconceptions that arose due to other books and movies about Mitnick. Kevin Mitnick has an amazing mind. His memory and his ability to remain one step ahead of law enforcement and other hackers put him in a league of his own. The amount of detail in the book is phenomenal as well, especially since some of the chapters cover things that happened well over a decade ago. The suspense made it hard to put the book down. I was amazed at the dichotomy of Mitnick's genius and his often childlike curiosity when dealing with phone and computer systems. He is a true hacker with an unrelenting need to know how things work. The book also exposes the corruption and illegal methods used by authorities to finally track Mitnick down. Basically, Mitnick was so clever that they would have never caught him without breaking protocol and using illegal cheapshots when tracking him down and searching his apartment. The final chapters of the book and the closing comments say a lot about Mitnick's character. Although he had access to documentation that would have allowed him to steal vast amounts of money, Mitnick did nothing of the sort. The information itself was the prize. Although he would have every reason to be angry with Shimomura, he noted that he respected the man's skills. Mitnick also expressed remorse for putting his mom and grandma the pain of his fugitive and jail days and expressed thanks to his family and friends for standing by him despite his "criminal status". The book is well written, and Mitnick's humor and sarcasm contribute to an already interesting story.

From the moment something about the cover/title caught my eye, I couldn't put the book down. Mitnick tells an inspiring story about how talents and rare giftedness can be a challenge to us all. The writing is as much about his decisions and reactions to the "curveballs" of life as it is about actual hacking/phreaking.

Those who enjoy a good action-oriented story and have an interest in telecom and computing will enjoy the book. The more technical coder types will not find a great deal of methodology on display here. Mitnick and his co-author have aimed for a wider audience, which I personally think is good.

Mitnick writes ina friendly, conversational style. It is clear that he was dealt some unfair blows by the media and judicial system. However, Mitnick remembers that his decisions were his own and that the consequences were his to face. His deep regret, particularly toward his own family, is on display throughout the work.

I recommend the book highly!

A fascinating tale of how trusting humans can be exploited by the unscrupulous. In my view, what Mitnick calls "social engineering" is simply confidence tricking people through lying and cheating. Something to be neither admired nor encouraged. All the same, a jolly good read.

This book had me hooked right from the start. The story has plenty of details, but the plot progresses without feeling sluggish. The simplicity of Mitnick's social engineering is amusing and informative. Part of me would've prefered it be a bit more technical, but Mitnick explains that he left some out to attract a larger audience.

I would recommend this to any computer lover.

If you followed the mainstream media you may remember the wild stories about "the world's most wanted hacker", who could steal all the money held by any bank, launch nuclear missiles by whistling into a payphone, or wiretap any telephone out there. The last part was almost true. In his book, Mitnick takes us deep into the technology used by telephone companies in the 90s, and that used by law enforcement to wiretap suspects. He recalls how he turned these tools against those out to get him, and gives us an insight into his real motivation, none other than that of a real hacker - curiosity. Particularly interesting are his attempts at leading a normal life, and how terribly twisted was his story put in front of the eyes of the public. If you are a hacker, this book is a must. If you are not, this book will teach you what hacking is really about, so you can start discerning truth from fantasy the next time a "hacker story" appears in the media.

Ghost in the Wires is an extremely entertaining book. It is written in a style similar to hanging out at a bar with an old friend listening to a great story of misspent youth over a few drinks. The book does not describe the technical details of the attacks Kevin used however, someone familiar with the material will understand the techniques used from the hints and general statements within the book. The social engineering stories alone are worth the price of the book; and if that isn't enough to get you laughing out loud, the recount of Kevin's thoughts while social engineering people will. With the exception of the social engineering techniques, the attacks described in this book are dated, this should not discourage reading the book. If you have a friend that is not technical does not understand hacking, this is a great book for introducing them to the topic. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to both technical and computer illiterate friends.

Having read Mitnick's previous books, I was familiar with his social engineering skillset. I understood his focus to have been on phone systems, and was interested to learn more about his computer network hijinks. This book provided excellent insight into his story and helped debunk some of the myths. I highly recommend the book, and I found myself wondering why he never stopped when he was ahead?

I first learned about Mitnik when he made the appearance on The Screen Savers. Having recently bought a kindle, I knew this had to be the first book I bought. Having been a fan of the book The Cuckoo's Egg by Cliff Stoll, it was interesting to see hacking from the side of the hacker. Its amazing what a little social engineering can get you. Highly recommend reading this book.

Great book, couldn't put it down. Finished it in 2 - 3 days. The pacing is nice. it's not overtly technical, which is good. It was a bit difficult to keep track of all of the characters and activities that had implications in the story but overall a great read

In 2013, I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Cyber Security. Kevin's book was a recommended read. I was amazed at the amount of knowledge and skill he possessed to gain entry and access to phones and computer systems. His skills with social engineering were phenomenal. He was able to think fast on his feet, but he also did his research. The man is definitely blessed in this present day to provide the services he does. I would not not mind learning or working for him, that's for sure!

Halfway through this, ad the track numbers just keep going as if there's no end to this book. You think "ok, I get it. He's obsessed with hacking. How weird." I would have enjoyed the conclusion, even wished for more details, if I wasn't sick of the story already.

The story was incredible. I loved the personal evolution Kevin went through as well as the detail he provided about how easy it is to socially engineer people who have no idea how easy it is to give away valuable information.

If you like Computers, Hacking and a good story all rolled into one, give this a read.

MY RATING SYSTEM:
I try to stick with the same criteria and system when reviewing products and here is how it breaks down…
FIVE STARS: Great Product, would feel completely confident in recommending to others and consider the product to be a great overall value with no obvious faults.
FOUR STARS: Still a very good product, I consider it to be overall a good satisfying purchase and can still recommend it in good faith but there is one small aspect about the product keeping it from a perfect score.
THREE STARS: A good product but not a great one, it operates and appears as advertised but more than one aspect of the item is undesirable. This is an item I would use but probably consider an alternative option.
TWO STARS: Product is definitely lacking in quality and or the way it operates. Would not recommend it to others and would seek and alternative elsewhere. It maybe just barely does what it is advertised to do but is probably not worth the money and there are many negative factors about it.
ONE STAR: No two ways about it, this is a bad product and I would not recommend anybody purchase it.

Not really a thriller, but always running one step ahead of corporate security or the law. Amazing documentation of how computer systems can be hacked, how to evade the law, create false identities, and other illegal or illicit activities.

After reading Art of Deception and Art of Intrusion by Kevin, I was impatiently waiting for this. Both the Art books were an eye opener in my knowledge of security. Ghost in the Wires is not so technical even for an average guy to understand what was there. If you have read both the Art of Deception and Intrusion earlier, then you can easily fit the scenarios discussed in those books with the real life that was discussed in this one. Took me less than 3 days to read the whole book on Kindle for iPad even with the busy schedule and travels. Chapter by chapters goes screaming fast trying to know what's gonna happen next. I would recommend both the Art of Deception, Art of Intrusion and Ghost in the wires to any technical or security personnel as this would open their eyes in more than one way

Ghost in the wires was an absolute page-turner for me. My wife had actually gotten upset with me & made me put my kindle app down a few times while reading this insightful & entertaining book. As you read this, you will go through numerous emotions: admiration, anger, curiosity... I would dread to go through some of the things Kevin endured, yet admire where he ended up. I will be buying copies for some family members that don't fully understand what hacking is really like...

Years back Kevin Mitnick inspired me to start a IT career. I tried to follow his case but hard a hard time to do so since I'm from Europe.
Reading his life's story now, being an IT professional myself, I can remember some of the news I heard back than.
It was a fun and entertaining read with enough details without getting to technical.
This book is also very complete starting off from Kevin was a young boy all the way till who he is now.

Ghost in the Wires is a very entertaining and eye opening book. How many times has someone called you at work (co-worker or not) asking for seemingly innocent information, that you turned over? I am sure that is what 90% of the people that talked to Kevin Mitnick thought they were giving him. While this book has a lot of technology throughout it, it is really a story of how Kevin interacted with people. From Kevin's friends, the Feds, local law enforcement and Kevin's marks, it is a study of the relationships Kevin had. Could be a one time encounter, a life long friend or a DMV agent being exploited it is really amazing to see how Kevin generated knowledge of companies and their processes to socially engineer those he wanted or needed information from.

Don't get me wrong there is a lot of technology though out the book but not so much you can understand the story. From twisted pair phones, computers and cell phones there is enough tech to keep the biggest nerd interested. I personally would have loved a little more of the tech but it is a pretty solid job of keeping it in the middle of the road.

This book almost reads like a work of fiction. There were points in the book that I felt anxiety for Kevin. I really enjoyed this book. Lost a lot of sleep the last couple of days reading this book; hard to put down. The best crime thrillers are the true life ones.

I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it.