Fancy Bear Goes Phishing: The Dark History of the Information Age, in Five Extraordinary Hacks

Fancy Bear, Robert Morris, Dark Avenger, Cameron Lacroix, and Paras Jha are five hackers who exploited the vulnerabilities of the internet to achieve their goals, including stealing embarrassing information about Hillary Clinton, crashing the internet, and creating a mutating computer virus. Scott Shapiro's book "Fancy Bear Goes Phishing" explores the stories of these hackers and how they exploit the philosophical principles of computation to make hacking possible. It is a combination of an intellectual romp and a dramatic true-crime narrative that exposes the secrets of the digital age.

Format: Hardback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 23 May 2023
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Hacking, espionage, war, and cybercrime are topics that have never been explored in the same depth as they are in "Fancy Bear Goes Phishing." This captivating book delves into the fascinating world of these illicit activities, providing readers with a unique perspective on the minds and motivations of the hackers who perpetrate them.

The story begins with Fancy Bear, a highly skilled elite hacking unit within Russian military intelligence, breaking into the Democratic National Committee network in search of embarrassing information about Hillary Clinton. Their mission was successful, and they managed to grab a significant amount of sensitive data that could potentially influence the outcome of the election. However, it remains unclear whether their involvement played a direct role in the election of Donald Trump.

Next, we meet Robert Morris, a graduate student from Cornell University. Experimenting one night, Morris released the Great Worm, a computer virus that caused widespread disruption and crashed the internet. This event marked a significant milestone in the history of hacking, as it demonstrated the potential power of a single individual to bring down a large network.

Dark Avenger, a Bulgarian hacker, is portrayed as a romantic figure who is in love with his crush. To impress her, he invents the first mutating computer virus engine, which nearly destroys the anti-virus industry. His actions showcase the lengths that hackers will go to in order to achieve their goals.

The book also introduces us to other notable hackers, such as Cameron Lacroix, a sixteen-year-old from South Boston who hacked Paris Hilton's cell phone simply because he wanted to be famous. We also meet Paras Jha, a Rutgers undergraduate who built a giant botnet designed to get him out of his calculus exam and disrupt the online game Minecraft. However, his actions inadvertently caused the destruction of the internet.

Scott Shapiro, the author of "Fancy Bear Goes Phishing," weaves together five captivating stories that explore the origins, motivations, and consequences of these great hacks. He demonstrates that computer hacking is not just a tale of technology but of human beings. The hackers portrayed in the book are not villains but individuals who are driven by a variety of motivations, including fame, curiosity, and revenge.

What makes "Fancy Bear Goes Phishing" particularly interesting is its exploration of the philosophical principles of computation. Shapiro explains how our information society works, the ways our data is stored and manipulated, and why it is so subject to exploitation. He sheds light on the vulnerabilities of our digital infrastructure and the need for stronger security measures.

The book is not just a technical manual but also a thought-provoking narrative that engages readers on a philosophical and ethical level. It raises questions about the role of technology in shaping our society, the boundaries of privacy and security, and the responsibilities of individuals and governments in protecting our digital assets.

In conclusion, "Fancy Bear Goes Phishing" is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the world of hacking, espionage, war, and cybercrime. It provides a unique perspective on these topics and challenges readers to think critically about the implications of our increasingly digital world. By exploring the minds and motivations of the hackers who perpetrate these illicit activities, the book offers a valuable insight into the complex and ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity.

Weight: 652g
Dimension: 175 x 242 x 41 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780241461969