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)

THE "HANNIBAL LECTER" OF I.T.

This is a well-written book about a sociopath and his virtually unstoppable crime spree. If he'd been a poor black kid in Compton rather than an upper middle class Jewish boy in Sherman Oaks, he would be serving life without parole under the "3 Strikes" sentencing guidelines for repeat offenders even if his last crime had been shoplifting milk to feed his hungry baby. I liked this book in spite of Kevin Mitnick's self-righteous and unrepentant attitude. He just didn't get that what he was doing was against the law. For some reason, he felt that as long as his hacking wasn't for profit - just for fun and the challenge - it was alright to repeatedly invade the privacy of other citizens and corporations. He started out at age 12 by over-riding the school bus punch card system. By 17, he was a full-fledged "phone phreaker", obtaining non-published phone numbers and addresses through what he calls "social engineering", which is no different than what child molesters and sexual predators like Ted Bundy employ to psychologically get victims to trust and believe in them. Most of his really outrageous offenses occurred in his 30s when he went through a great deal of preparation and care to remain out of jail. He even created software to enable him to circumvent law enforcement measures and in-house security of the companies he was assaulting. This book is less of a "Catch Me If You Can" story than it is an indictment of agencies like the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, California Attorney General's office, and various other local and federal agencies which were slow and cavalier in creating legislation to stop computer hacking on the massive scale perpetrated by Mitnick and his cronies, both domestic and international. During the same period that Mitnick hacked or illegally charmed his way into every computer database from Pacific Bell and UCLA to the Social Security Administration and the Department of Motor Vehicles, politicians took only a few years to pass legislation making possession of 1 rock of crack worthy of 10 years in prison while a kilo of powder coke might get you 2 years or a suspended sentence. Why? Because crack was the drug destroying the black communities while only whites could afford the more pricey and less attainable powder. Simultaneously, Mitnick was wreaking havoc in the technology world and getting away with it because there were no real laws in place to stop him. He had FBI agents, informants, stake out teams, and helicopters chasing him for YEARS but nothing was ever done while he blew through the computer networks of California for more than a decade before moving on to Denver and Raleigh, NC with a spate of stolen identity papers made possible from his hacking skills. What was particularly disturbing is that his estranged mother and father, his grandmother, and other family members co-signed on his criminal activities by subsidizing him with money, transportation, accommodations, etc. Never, not once, did his mother or grandmother - his primary "partners in crime" - force Mitnick to see the error in his ways. They turned him into a classic DSM-IV sociopath. Over and over in the book he claims to feel soooooooo bad about all the mess he was putting his mother and grandmother through yet his alleged remorse never stopped him. He even had his Granny drive him to Kinko's so he could pick up some ill-gotten documents needed for a hacking scheme. When he noticed that he might be walking into a police trap, he ducked out, leaving her sitting outside for 3 hours! Afterwards she and his mother facilitated his escape out of Los Angeles. He was finally "caught" in 1999 and served just 4 years. Then he came out and wrote books about his exploits, capitalizing on his legend among other hackers, "phreaks", nerdy outcasts. He now runs several successful security companies where, at one of them, he has the title of "CHO", i.e. "Chief Hacking Officer". Yep, that's America for you! A promising and immensely talented black NFL quarterback serves about the same time in prison for illegal dog-fighting at a house he owned in his home town, 700 miles away from his physical residence in another state. He loses his NFL contract and has to file bankruptcy, losing everything. But Mitnick is writing books, appearing at speaking engagements around the world, and guests on television talk shows while bringing in bank 💵 with his own businesses. What's up with that "Son of Sam" law? My review is based on the quality of the book not its content. Nor am I an advocate of Kevin Mitnick's criminal behavior or his obvious sociopathy. I have no respect for him as a human being. In fact I would never have paid money for this book had I known he was "thisclose" to being Scott Peterson. But, that aside, the book is pretty good. I just wish it was fictional. 👎

interesting, left me wondering why though

Excellent narration, the reading was superb. The book was interesting, but I just kept wondering.. why? If Kevin didn't want to lose his family, lose his freedom, etc, just stop accessing these files. That's the part I didn't really understand. Anyway, very interesting story none the less.

Riveting story, the way it's supposed to be read!

The story of this guy is amazing. There are some technical terms but not too much (I'm an IT guy and recognized most of what he was talking about). He makes it sound simple, but it's not. Some of the things he went through are unbelievable.
One big point of this book is the reader's performance. I think it's the best so far that I've listened. Always appropriate to the situation, without overdoing it.

Fascinating, disturbing!

First of all, the narrator, Ray Porter was perfect. The story was indeed fascinating and provoked many emotional reactions on my part which is a signal that no matter what one thinks of Kevin or his counterparts, it was worth while hearing his story nonetheless. Ray Porter was a perfect choice for voice and did a great job!

Hard to grasp.

If you could sum up Ghost in the Wires in three words, what would they be?

Watch your security.

Would you be willing to try another book from Kevin Mitnick and William L. Simon ? Why or why not?

No.

What three words best describe Ray Porter’s performance?

OK with material.

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

No. Too mind numbing.

Any additional comments?

A real eye opener. People can see whatever we are doing. Internet, cameras, etc. A little creepy and eye opening. I was amazed/fascinated/frightened at the minds that get and use the electronic mediums to their advantage. A new World!

Absolutely Compelling

Very suspenseful. Not overly technical, but still detail oriented. Thrilling from the beginning to the end.

Baffled...

Just don't understand the author's lack of remorse, or any indication that his actions affect(ed) other people. The story kept me engaged... despite his repeating patterns of addiction. Just because his actions were motivated by "curiosity" not personal or financial gain... means he's innocent? And most of all- what he continually calls "social engineering" is what I call LIES and DECEPTION. This book exposes who he is- sadly lacking a moral compass.

Fascinating although a bit too detailed

This was a great listen into the crazy beginnings of hacking. I was glued until about 3/4 of the way through the book when it just seemed to be repetitive with the detailed descriptions of social engineering hacking into systems, near misses with getting caught... I'm certainly glad I listened to it.

Reads like a Thriller

Great book. Amazing character. You also learn a lot about social engineering which might save you a fortune. The book was a lot better and entertaining than I expected. Also thought book might be dated but it was far from it. Good reader.

Riveting Biography, Although A Little Self Serving

What did you love best about Ghost in the Wires?

As an IT Professional, listening to the social engineering aspects of "hacking" was an amazing eye opener.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Kevin Mitnick is the poster boy for computer hacking.

What does Ray Porter bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Ray Porter's narration was so believable I almost thought HE was the one who had written the book.