The Art of Deception: Controlling the Human Element of Security - Softcover

William L. Simon; Kevin D. Mitnick

Softcover

ISBN 10: 076454280X ISBN 13: 9780764542800

Publisher: Wiley, 2003

Synopsis

The world's most infamous hacker offers an insider's view of the low-tech threats to high-tech security
Kevin Mitnick's exploits as a cyber-desperado and fugitive form one of the most exhaustive FBI manhunts in history and have spawned dozens of articles, books, films, and documentaries. Since his release from federal prison, in 1998, Mitnick has turned his life around and established himself as one of the most sought-after computer security experts worldwide. Now, in The Art of Deception, the world's most notorious hacker gives new meaning to the old adage, "It takes a thief to catch a thief."
Focusing on the human factors involved with information security, Mitnick explains why all the firewalls and encryption protocols in the world will never be enough to stop a savvy grifter intent on rifling a corporate database or an irate employee determined to crash a system. With the help of many fascinating true stories of successful attacks on business and government, he illustrates just how susceptible even the most locked-down information systems are to a slick con artist impersonating an IRS agent. Narrating from the points of view of both the attacker and the victims, he explains why each attack was so successful and how it could have been prevented in an engaging and highly readable style reminiscent of a true-crime novel. And, perhaps most importantly, Mitnick offers advice for preventing these types of social engineering hacks through security protocols, training programs, and manuals that address the human element of security.

About this title

About the Author

Kevin Mitnick is the founder of Defensive Thinking, an information security firm, and speaks widely on security issues. He has appeared on 60 Minutes and elsewhere in the media, and his exploits have spawned several bestselling books, including The Fugitive Game.

William Simon is the bestselling author of more than twenty books.

From the Back Cover

The world s most celebrated hacker delivers the lowdown on today s most serious security weakness human nature

"Finally someone is on to the real cause of data security breaches stupid humans Mitnick reveals clever tricks of the social engineering trade and shows how to fend them off."
Stephen Manes, Forbes

"A tour de force, a series of tales of how some old-fashioned blarney and high-tech skills can pry any information from anyone. As entertainment, it s like reading the climaxes of a dozen complex thrillers, one after the other."
Publishers Weekly

"Mitnick provides hair-raising examples of social engineering disgruntled employees stealing top-secret research, smooth-talking con men acquiring data on next-generation explosives for terrorists and explains how to combat it."
Angela Gunn, Time Out New York

"He was the FBI s most-wanted hacker. But in his own eyes, Mitnick was simply a small-time con artist with an incredible memory [and] a knack for social engineering This is Mitnick s account, complete with advice for how to protect yourself from similar attacks. I believe his story."
Simson Garfinkel, Wired

"Finally someone is on to the real cause of data security breaches–stupid humans … Mitnick … reveals clever tricks of the ‘social engineering’ trade and shows how to fend them off."
–Stephen Manes, Forbes

"A tour de force, a series of tales of how some old-fashioned blarney and high-tech skills can pry any information from anyone. As entertainment, it’s like reading the climaxes of a dozen complex thrillers, one after the other."
–Publishers Weekly

"Mitnick provides hair-raising examples of social engineering–disgruntled employees stealing top-secret research, smooth-talking con men acquiring data on next-generation explosives for terrorists–and explains how to combat it."
–Angela Gunn, Time Out New York

"He was the FBI’s most-wanted hacker. But in his own eyes, Mitnick was simply a small-time con artist with an incredible memory [and] a knack for social engineering… This is Mitnick’s account, complete with advice for how to protect yourself from similar attacks. I believe his story."
–Simson Garfinkel, Wired

Edition details

• Publisher: Wiley
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 076454280X
• ISBN 13: 9780764542800
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 368