Cyberspies: The Secret History of Surveillance, Hacking, and Digital Espionage

The previously untold-and previously highly classified-story of the conflux of espionage and technology, a compelling narrative rich with astonishing revelations taking readers from World War II to the Internet age

As the digital era becomes increasingly pervasive, the intertwining forces of computers and espionage are reshaping the entire world; what was once the preserve of a few intelligence agencies now affects us all.

Corera's compelling narrative takes us from the Second World War through the Cold War and the birth of the Internet to the present era of hackers and surveillance. The book is rich with historical detail and characters, as well as astonishing revelations about espionage carried out in recent times by the United Kingdom, the United States, and China. Using unique access to the NSA, GCHQ, Chinese officials, and senior executives from some of the most powerful global technology companies, Gordon Corera has gathered compelling stories from heads of state, hackers, and spies of all stripes.

Cyberspies is a groundbreaking exploration of the new space in which the worlds of espionage, diplomacy, international business, science, and technology collide.

1122769397
Cyberspies: The Secret History of Surveillance, Hacking, and Digital Espionage

The previously untold-and previously highly classified-story of the conflux of espionage and technology, a compelling narrative rich with astonishing revelations taking readers from World War II to the Internet age

As the digital era becomes increasingly pervasive, the intertwining forces of computers and espionage are reshaping the entire world; what was once the preserve of a few intelligence agencies now affects us all.

Corera's compelling narrative takes us from the Second World War through the Cold War and the birth of the Internet to the present era of hackers and surveillance. The book is rich with historical detail and characters, as well as astonishing revelations about espionage carried out in recent times by the United Kingdom, the United States, and China. Using unique access to the NSA, GCHQ, Chinese officials, and senior executives from some of the most powerful global technology companies, Gordon Corera has gathered compelling stories from heads of state, hackers, and spies of all stripes.

Cyberspies is a groundbreaking exploration of the new space in which the worlds of espionage, diplomacy, international business, science, and technology collide.

22.95 In Stock
Cyberspies: The Secret History of Surveillance, Hacking, and Digital Espionage

Cyberspies: The Secret History of Surveillance, Hacking, and Digital Espionage

by Gordon Corera

Narrated by Gildart Jackson

Unabridged — 17 hours, 54 minutes

Cyberspies: The Secret History of Surveillance, Hacking, and Digital Espionage

Cyberspies: The Secret History of Surveillance, Hacking, and Digital Espionage

by Gordon Corera

Narrated by Gildart Jackson

Unabridged — 17 hours, 54 minutes

Audiobook (Digital)

$22.95
(Not eligible for purchase using B&N Audiobooks Subscription credits)

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Overview

The previously untold-and previously highly classified-story of the conflux of espionage and technology, a compelling narrative rich with astonishing revelations taking readers from World War II to the Internet age

As the digital era becomes increasingly pervasive, the intertwining forces of computers and espionage are reshaping the entire world; what was once the preserve of a few intelligence agencies now affects us all.

Corera's compelling narrative takes us from the Second World War through the Cold War and the birth of the Internet to the present era of hackers and surveillance. The book is rich with historical detail and characters, as well as astonishing revelations about espionage carried out in recent times by the United Kingdom, the United States, and China. Using unique access to the NSA, GCHQ, Chinese officials, and senior executives from some of the most powerful global technology companies, Gordon Corera has gathered compelling stories from heads of state, hackers, and spies of all stripes.

Cyberspies is a groundbreaking exploration of the new space in which the worlds of espionage, diplomacy, international business, science, and technology collide.


Editorial Reviews

The Sunday Times (London)

"Riveting. Making use of excellent sources, Corera has produced a highly relevant read that addresses the key debate in intelligence gathering—the balance between privacy and security."

The Guardian

"If you are looking for a clear and comprehensive guide to how communications have been intercepted, from cable-cutting in the First World War to bulk data collection exposed by Ed Snowden, this is it."

PopMatters

"There are many stories densely packed throughout Cyberspies. The book successfully zig zags through different countries, laws, and politics while maintaining its central theme."

The Observer (London)

"What good timing for this book. Gordon Corera’s book takes us through the labyrinth of cyber-espionage. It concerns a psychosis of control, whereby the digitization of spying infests every cranny of our lives."

Booklist

"A century-spanning history of cyberespionage and the tools that have made it possible. Touching on the NSA, encryption, Chinese censorship, and the emergence of sophisticated hackers, the book will pique readers interested in the geopolitical ramifications of surveillance and the complex relationship between security and privacy in our post-9/11, post-Snowden world."

Providence Journal

"An exhaustive account by the BBC's security correspondent."

Paste

"A sweeping history of spying, surveillance and subversion in the digital world. Exhaustively reported and thoroughly annotated."

Booklist

A century-spanning history of cyberespionage and the tools that have made it possible. Touching on the NSA, encryption, Chinese censorship, and the emergence of sophisticated hackers, the book will pique readers interested in the geopolitical ramifications of surveillance and the complex relationship between security and privacy in our post-9/11, post-Snowden world.

Paste

A sweeping history of spying, surveillance and subversion in the digital world. Exhaustively reported and thoroughly annotated.

Kirkus Reviews

2016-04-07
The history of cyberespionage, combining "related stories like encryption and code-breaking [and] the rise of the computer industry and its complex relationship with the secret world."In 1944, the first programmable electronic computer began operation in Britain's Bletchley Park. Built to decipher German codes, it performed brilliantly. Computers remain essential to espionage and other dubious activities, writes BBC security correspondent Corera (The Art of Betrayal: The Secret History of MI6: Life and Death in the British Secret Service, 2013, etc.) in this engrossing history of the dark side of the information revolution. By the end of the Cold War, technical advances enabled hackers and spies to steal "data at rest" inside a computer rather than struggle to intercept "data in motion" traveling from one place to another. In response, and also to detect the activity of terrorists, security organizations such as the National Security Agency sweep up immense quantities of information, including that of their own citizens, and filter it for suspicious activity. No one designed operating systems for security. In the 1980s, when experts discovered how easily hackers could penetrate computers, they began designing patches, firewalls, and other defenses. However, "it was not possible to retrofit security," so no system is immune to intrusion, theft, and damage. Some attacks, such as the Stuxnet virus, which destroyed Iran's uranium centrifuges, resemble acts of war, and there is no doubt that in future wars, "alongside tanks, missiles, and guns there would be viruses, worms, logic bombs, trapdoors and Trojan horses." This book was originally published in England, so Americans will encounter unfamiliar acronyms and an emphasis on Britain's experience, but Corera casts his net widely and makes it clear that America is the leader in the battle, as well as the most vulnerable. A convincing argument that the most secure way to communicate is via snail mail.

Product Details

BN ID: 2940169550856
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Publication date: 07/05/2016
Edition description: Unabridged
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