The Art of Deception: Controlling the Human Element of Security

The Art of Deception is about gaining someone's trust by lying to them and then abusing that trust for fun and profit. Hackers use the euphemism "social engineering" and hacker-guru Kevin Mitnick examines many example scenarios. After Mitnick's first dozen examples anyone responsible for organizational security is going to lose the will to live. It's been said before, but people and security are antithetical. Organizations exist to provide a good or service and want helpful, friendly employees to promote the good or service. People are social animals who want to be liked. Controlling the human aspects of security means denying someone something. This circle can't be squared. Considering Mitnick's reputation as a hacker guru, it's ironic that the last point of attack for hackers using social engineering are computers. Most of the scenarios in The Art of Deception work just as well against computer-free organizations and were probably known to the Phoenicians; technology simply makes it all easier. Phones are faster than letters, after all, and having large organizations means dealing with lots of strangers. Much of Mitnick's security advice sounds practical until you think about implementation, when you realize that more effective security means reducing organizational efficiency--an impossible trade in competitive business. And anyway, who wants to work in an organization where the rule is "Trust no one"? Mitnick shows how easily security is breached by trust, but without trust people can't live and work together. In the real world, effective organizations have to acknowledge that total security is a chimera--and carry more insurance. --Steve Patient, amazon.co.uk From Publishers Weekly Mitnick is the most famous computer hacker in the world. Since his first arrest in 1981, at age 17, he has spent nearly half his adult life either in prison or as a fugitive. He has been the subject of three books and his alleged 1982 hack into NORAD inspired the movie War Games. Since his plea-bargain release in 2000, he says he has reformed and is devoting his talents to helping computer security. It's not clear whether this book is a means toward that end or a, wink-wink, fictionalized account of his exploits, with his name changed to protect his parole terms. Either way, it's 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. As a security education, it's a great series of cautionary tales; however, the advice to employees not to give anyone their passwords is bland compared to the depth and energy of Mitnick's descriptions of how he actually hacked into systems. As a manual for a would-be hacker, it's dated and nonspecific better stuff is available on the Internet but it teaches the timeless spirit of the hack. Between the lines, a portrait emerges of the old-fashioned hacker stereotype: a socially challenged, obsessive loser addicted to an intoxicating sense of power that comes only from stalking and spying. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. From Library Journal The world's most famous computer hacker and cybercult hero, once the subject of a massive FBI manhunt for computer fraud, has written a blueprint for system security based on his own experiences. Mitnick, who was released from federal prison in 1998 after serving a 22-month term, explains that unauthorized intrusion into computer networks is not limited to exploiting security holes in hardware and software. He focuses instead on a common hacker technique known as social engineering in which a cybercriminal deceives an individual into providing key information rather than trying to use technology to reveal it. Mitnick illustrates the tactics comprising this "art of deception" through actual case studies, showing that even state-of-the-art security software can't protect businesses from the dangers of human error. With Mitnick's recommended security policies, readers gain the information their organizations need to detect and ward off the threat of social engineering. Required reading for IT professionals, this book is highly recommended for public, academic, and corporate libraries. Joe Accardi, William Rainey Harper Coll. Lib., Palatine, ILCopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. ...Indispensable... -- Focus, February 2003 "...a good read, well-written&this accessibility makes it doubly important..." -- Managing Information 5 star rating, October 2003 "...an interesting read..." -- infosecnews.com, 17 July 2002 "...engaging style...fascinating true stories..." -- The CBL Source, October/December 2002 "...more educational than tell-all..." -- Forbes, 2 October 2002 "...the book describes how people can get information without even stepping near a computer..." -- CNN, 16 October 2002 "...the worlds most authoritative handbook...an unputdownable succession of case studies...chilling...trust me, Kevin Mitnick is right..." -- Business a.m, 29 October 2002 "This is Mitnick's account, complete with advice for how to protect yourself from similar attacks. I believe his story." -- Wired, October 2002 "does deliver on 'social engineering' exercises." And "[o]ne way or another, you'll find the information useful." -- Red Herring, October 2002 "required reading for IT professionals, [and] is highly recommended for public, academic, and corporate libraries." -- Library Journal, August 2002 “…authoritative…” ( Retail Systems , December 2005) Mitnick is the most famous computer hacker in the world. Since his first arrest in 1981, at age 17, he has spent nearly half his adult life either in prison or as a fugitive. He has been the subject of three books and his alleged 1982 hack into NORAD inspired the movie WarGames . Since his plea-bargain release in 2000, he says he has reformed and is devoting his talents to helping computer security. It's not clear whether this book is a means toward that end or a, wink-wink, fictionalized account of his exploits, with his name changed to protect his parole terms. Either way, it's 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. As a security education, it's a great series of cautionary tales; however, the advice to employees not to give anyone their passwords is bland compared to the depth and energy of Mitnick's description of how he actually hacked into systems. As a manual for a would-be hacker, it's dated and nonspecific -- better stuff is available on the Internet—but it teaches the timeless spirit of th e hack. Between the lines, a portrait emerges of the old-fashioned hacker stereotype: a socially challenged, obsessive loser addicted to an intoxication sense of power that comes from stalking and spying. (Oct.) Forecast: Mitnick's notoriety and his well written, entertaining stories should generate positive word-of-mouth. With the double appeal of a true-crime memoir and a manual for computer security, this book will enjoy good sales. ( Publishers Weekly , June 24, 2002) "...an interesting read..." (www.infosecnews.com, 17 July 2002) "...highly entertaining...will appeal to a broad audience..." ( Publishing News , 26 July 2002) The world's most famous computer hacker and cybercult hero, once the subject of a massive FBI manhunt for computer fraud, has written a blueprint for system security based on his own experiences. Mitnick, who was released from federal prison in 1998 after serving a 22-month term, explains that unauthorized intrusion into computer networks is not limited to exploiting security holes in hardware and software. He focuses instead on a common hacker technique known as social engineering in which a cybercriminal deceives an individual into providing key information rather than trying to use technology to reveal it. Mitnick illustrates the tactics comprising this "art of deception" through actual case studies, showing that even state-of-the-art security software can't protect businesses from the dangers of human error. With Mitnick's recommended security policies, readers gain the information their organizations need to detect and ward off the threat of social engineering. Required reading for IT professionals, this book is highly recommended for public, academic, and corporate libraries. [This should not be confused with Ridley Pearson's new thriller, The Art of Deception . —Ed]—Joe Accardi, William Rainey Harper Coll. Lib., Palatine, IL ( Library Journal , August 2002) 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, a knack for social engineering, and an enemy at The New York Times . That foe, John Markoff, made big bucks selling two books about Mitnick - without ever interviewing him. This is Mitnick's account, complete with advice for how to protect yourself from similar attacks. I believe his story. ( WIRED Magazine, October 2002) Kevin Mitnick spent five years in jail at the federal authorities' behest, but The Art of Deception: Controlling the Human Element of Security (Kevin Mitnick and William Simon), reveals that he was no lowly grifter. Rather, by impersonating others in order to talk guileless employees out of access protocols, Mr. Mitnick was practicing "the performance art called social engineering." While every society has had its demimonde-like the Elizabethan coney catchers who duped visitors to 16th-century London--it's in the United States that con artists assumedlegendary status. The definitive book is still The Big Con from 1940 (Anchor Books), which commemorates a golden age already receding when it was published: the grifters it describes--like the High Ass Kid and Slobbering Bob--thrived between 1914 and 1929, when technological advances and unparalleled prosperity generated a roller-coaster stock market. That sounds a lot like the past decade. So how did the culture of the con do during the Internet era? On Mr. Mitnick's evidence, it flourished and evolved. The Art of Deception is itself a bit of a fraud as far as advice on upgrading security. But the book does deliver on "social engineering" exercises. Some aren't even illegal and Mr. Mitnick -- weasel that he is -- lovingly records their most elaborate convolutions. One way or another, you'll find the information useful. ( Red Herring , October 2002) "Mitnick outlines dozens of social engineering scenarios in his book, dissecting the ways attackers can easily exploit what he describes as 'that natural human desire to help others and be a good team player.'" ( Wired.com , October 3, 2002) Finally someone is on to the real cause of data security breaches--stupid humans. Notorious hacker Kevin Mitnick--released from federal prison in January 2000 and still on probation--reveals clever tricks of the "social engineering" trade and shows how to fend them off in The Art of Deception: Controlling the Human Element of Security (Wiley, $27.50). Most of the book, coauthored by William Simon (not the one running for governor of California), is a series of fictional episodes depicting the many breathtakingly clever ways that hackers can dupe trusting souls into breaching corporate and personal security--information as simple as an unlisted phone number or as complicated as plans for a top-secret product under development. The rest lays out a fairly draconian plan of action for companies that want to strengthen their defenses. Takeaway: You can put all the technology you want around critical information, but all it takes to break through is one dolt who gives up his password to a "colleague" who claims to be working from the Peoria office. What's useful about this book is its explanation of risks in seemingly innocuous systems few people think about. The caller ID notification that proves you're talking to a top executive of your firm? Easily forged. The password your assistant logs in with? Easily guessed. The memos you toss into the cheap office shredder? Easily reconstructed. The extension that you call in the IT department? Easily forwarded. Physical security can be compromised, too. It's not hard to gain access to a building by "piggybacking" your way in the door amid the happy throng returning from lunch. You'd better have confidence in your IT professionals, because they're likely to have access to everything on the corporate system, including your salary and personal information. Mitnick offers some ideas for plugging these holes, like color-coded ID cards with really big photos. Implementing the book's security action plan in full seems impossible, but it's a good idea to warn employees from the boss down to the receptionist and janitors not to give out even innocuous information to people claiming to be helpful IT folks without confirming their identity--and to use things like encryption technology as fallbacks. Plenty of would-be Mitnicks--and worse--still ply their trade in spaces cyber and psychological. --S.M. ( Forbes Magazine - October 14, 2002) "...the book describes how people can get sensitive information without even stepping near a computer through 'social engineering' -- the use of manipulation or persuasion to deceive people by convincing them that you are someone else." ( CNN.com 's Technology section, October 9, 2002) "...engaging style...fascinating true stories..." (The CBL Source, October/December 2002) "…the book describes how people can get information without even stepping near a computer…" (CNN, 16 October 2002) "…each vignette reads like a mini-cybermystery thriller…I willingly recommend The Art of Deception. It could save you from embarrassment or an even worse fate…" (zdnet.co.uk, 15 October 2002) "…details the ways that employees can inadvertently leak information that can be exploited by hackers to compromise computer systems…the book is scary in ways that computer security texts usually do not manage to be…" (BBC online, 14 October 2002) "…more educational than tell-all…" (Forbes, 2 October 2002) "…would put a shiver into anyone responsible for looking after valuable computer data…the exploits are fictional but realistic…the book is about hacking peoples heads…" (The Independent, 21 October 2002) "…the key strength of The Art of Deception is the stream of anecdotes - with explanations about how and why hacks succeed…provides a solid basis for staff training on security…" (Information Age, October 2002) "…should be on the list of required reading. Mitnick has done an effective job of showing exactly what the greatest threat of attack is - people and their human nature…" (Unix Review, 18 October 2002 "…disturbingly convincing…" (Fraud Watch, Vol.10, No.5, 2002 "…the worlds most authoritative handbook…an unputdownable succession of case studies…chilling…trust me, Kevin Mitnick is right…" (Business a.m, 29 October 2002) "…a damn good read…I would expect to see it as required reading on courses that cover business security…Should you read this book? On several levels the answer has to be yes. If you run your own business, work i... From the Inside Flap Kevin Mitnick's exploits as a cyber-desperado and fugitive from one of the most exhaustive FBI manhunts in history have spawned dozens of articles, books, films, and documentaries. Since his release from federal prison in 2000, 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 famous hacker gives new meaning to the old adage, "It takes a thief to catch a thief." Inviting you into the complex mind of the hacker, Mitnick provides realistic scenarios of cons, swindles, and social engineering attacks on businesses-and the consequences. 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. He illustrates just how susceptible even the most locked-down information systems are to a determined con artist impersonating an IRS agent or any other seemingly innocent character. Narrated from the points of view of both the attacker and the victim, The Art of Deception explores why each attack was so successful-and how it could have been averted-in an engaging and highly readable manner reminiscent of a true-crime novel. Most importantly, Mitnick redeems his former life of crime by providing specific guidelines for developing protocols, training programs, and manuals to ensure that a company's sophisticated technical security investment will not be for naught. He shares his advice for preventing security vulnerability in the hope that people will be mindfully on guard for an attack from the gravest risk of all-human nature. A legendary hacker reveals how to guard against the gravest security risk of all-human nature "...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 Kevin Mitnick's exploits as a cyber-desperado and fugitive from one of the most exhaustive FBI manhunts in history have spawned dozens of articles, books, films, and documentaries. Since his release from federal prison in 2000, 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 famous hacker gives new meaning to the old adage, "It takes a thief to catch a thief." Inviting you into the complex mind of the hacker, Mitnick provides realistic scenarios of cons, swindles, and social engineering attacks on businesses-and the consequences. 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. He illustrates just how susceptible even the most locked-down information systems are to a slick con artist impersonating an IRS agent or any other seemingly innocent character. Narrated from the points of view of both the attacker and the victim, The Art of Deception explores why each attack was so successful and how it could have been averted in an engaging and highly readable manner reminiscent of a true-crime novel. Most importantly, Mitnick redeems his former life of crime by providing specific guidelines for developing protocols, training programs, and manuals to ensure that a company's sophisticated technical security investment will not be for naught. He shares his advice for preventing security vulnerability in the hope that people will be mindfully on guard for an attack from the gravest risk of all-human nature. KEVIN MITNICK is a security consultant to corporations worldwide and a cofounder of Defensive Thinking, a Los Angeles-based consulting firm (defensivethinking.com). He has testified before the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs on the need for legislation to ensure the security of the government's information systems. His articles have appeared in major news magazines and trade journals, and he has appeared on Court TV, Good Morning America, 60 Minutes, CNN's Burden of Proof and Headline News. He has also been a keynote speaker at numerous industry events and has hosted a weekly radio show on KFI AM 640 Los Angeles. WILLIAM SIMON is a bestselling author of more than a dozen books and an award-winning film and television writer. Read more