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Title: At Large: The Strange Case of the World's Biggest Internet Invasion by David H. Freedman, Charles C. Mann ISBN: 0-684-83558-4 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Pub. Date: 01 June, 1998 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.5 (22 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Be Afraid...be very afraid
Comment: It is not often I reread a book but this was well worth it. It is the true story of a "cracker" who set about trying to break into computer networks and how people from system administrators to the FBI try to stop him. Written in the style of a thriller, you are swept along in amazement at the exploits of the cracker. If this doesn't alter your view of internet security nothing will. On the down side it becomes a chore trying to keep all the players straight in one's head, it is indeed a cast of many. Although somewhat geeky at times and it does help to have some background in computer networking it won't prevent you from enjoying what is surely the most bizarre story of internet hacking you will read.
Rating: 3
Summary: A good start for those interested in Cybercrime
Comment: In the spirit of Clifford Stoll's "The Cuckoo Egg," that detailed the hacking episodes of the German Chaos Computer Club in the late 80's, At Large is the true story of a computer hacker. The book, a fast-paced thriller, tells the real-life story of how a young man, with marginal intellectual capabilities, yet extremely tenacious and resolute, was able to penetrate hundreds of academic, financial, government, commercial and military computer networks.
The hacker who became known as "Phantom Dialer," started his two year hacking escapade by reeking havoc on the network at the Portland State University in Oregon in 1991. Once into the Portland State network, his used that site as a stepping stone to networks across the globe.
At around the same time that Phantom Dialer was causing damage, the FBI was starting its computer crime squad. While almost as persistent in catching Phantom Dialer as the Phantom Dialer was anonymous, the dedicated members of the computer crime squad felt that while their efforts were valiant, it was nonetheless just a drop in the water, compared to the thousands of other hackers out there.
After a wire tap where the squad was able to determine who Phantom Dialer was, and where his base location was, the squad decided to raid Phantom Dialer's house, arrest him, and seize his computer equipment.
Once inside the house with a warrant, a rather humorous incident occurred. The squad members went to Phantom Dialer's room and announced "Open up -- FBI!", Phantom Dialer replied "Shut up Steve (his brother), Do you think that I'm going to fall for that trick again?".
Phantom Dialer was arrested and jailed. But due to his mental condition (borderline schizophrenic), prosecutors decided that they would not attempt to indict him since they felt that he could not truly understand the implications of his action. Given that, prosecutors felt that no jury would have convicted him.
At Large is a good starting point for anyone interested in understanding how hackers operate. Written in a clear fashion, using technical jargon only when necessary, At Large makes for some interesting reading.
Rating: 4
Summary: Easy and fun read.
Comment: I am always up for true computer crime stories so I purchased it even though other customers dumped all over it. The book was very accurate (minus two inaccuracies in terminology) and easy to read. It did lack suspense but then again I read it for the historical perspective and not so much as a "who done it". Overall it was a fun read. Not as good as the The Cuckoo's egg but still worth reading.
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Title: Cuckoo's Egg: Tracking a Spy Through the Maze of Computer Espionage by Clifford Stoll ISBN: 0743411463 Publisher: Pocket Books Pub. Date: 03 October, 2000 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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Title: Masters of Deception: The Gang That Ruled Cyberspace by Michele Slatalla, Joshua Quittner ISBN: 0060926945 Publisher: Perennial Pub. Date: 01 January, 1996 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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Title: The Watchman : The Twisted Life and Crimes of Serial Hacker Kevin Poulsen by Jonathan Littman, Roger Donald ISBN: 0316528579 Publisher: Little, Brown Pub. Date: 31 March, 1997 List Price(USD): $30.00 |
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Title: CYBERPUNK: Outlaws and Hackers on the Computer Frontier, Revised by Katie Hafner, John Markoff ISBN: 0684818620 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Pub. Date: 01 June, 1995 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: The Fugitive Game : Online with Kevin Mitnick by Jonathan Littman ISBN: 0316528692 Publisher: Little, Brown Pub. Date: 01 January, 1997 List Price(USD): $19.99 |
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