Click on a thumbnail to go to Google Books.
Loading... The Cuckoo's Egg: Tracking a Spy Through the Maze of Computer Espionage (original 1989; edition 2007)by Cliff Stoll (Author)
Work InformationThe Cuckoo's Egg: Tracking a Spy Through the Maze of Computer Espionage by Clifford Stoll (1989)
Loading...
Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book.
I found this to be an enjoyable true story of tracking a hacker in the early days if the Internet, setting up alarms, putting in traps, and working with numerous agencies and telcos. It was a bit drawn out at times but I still enjoyed it. Good storytelling from a first person perspective of the hunt. Maybe a little too concerned with narrating every single step in the process, even the many, many failed attempts that lead nowhere. This comes at the expense of excitement in the middle sections of the book. But that's a minor complaint, overall this was a really cracking story. I'm really impressed by how well Stoll explained topics in computer science, networking, and security to readers who may very well have never been on a network before, and who may be hearing about hacking for the first time. He did a good job choosing what to simplify, and how, to let readers understand what was going on, while not overwhelming them or talking down to them. Even more impressive given that these intrusion detection techniques were things he invented, so he had no examples to draw from, and not many people around to give him advice. This book was all the rage in the BBS scene in the 90s, and I didn't read it then. I'm glad I finally got around to it. Maybe the longest time between putting a book on my "to read" pile and then actually reading it: about 30 years. no reviews | add a review
Notable Lists
This is the true story of how a systems manager at Lawrence Berkeley Lab singlehandedly tracked down and helped capture a computer hacker who had been breaking into U.S. computer systems and stealing sensitive military and security information. Cliff Stoll was an astronomer turned systems manager at Lawrence Berkeley Lab when a 75-cent accounting error alerted him to the presence of an unauthorized user on his system. The hacker's code name was "Hunter"--A mystery invader hiding inside a twisting electronic labyrinth, breaking into U.S. computer systems and stealing sensitive military and security information. Stoll began a one-man hunt of his own, spying on the spy -- and plunged into an incredible international probe that finally gained the attention of top U.S. counterintelligence agents. The Cuckoo's Egg is his wild and suspenseful true story -- a year of deception, broken codes, satellites, missile bases, and the ultimate sting operation -- and how one ingenious American trapped a spy ring paid in cash and cocaine, and reporting to the KGB. No library descriptions found. |
Current DiscussionsNonePopular covers
Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)364.1680973Social sciences Social problems and services; associations Criminology Crimes and Offenses Crimes of propertyLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
Is this you?Become a LibraryThing Author. |
Very good. Even years later this book is thought provoking. In addition, it gives a historical view of computing at beginning of the widespread use of the Internet. ( )