|
|
Takedown is a gripping tale of pursuit across the Internet. In the style of Cliff Stohl's Cuckoo's Egg, Takedown begins with a seemingly insignificant accounting error but from there develops more into a tale of personal vendetta. Shimomura had worked on cellular phone software, and Mitnick needed that technology in order to elude the Feds. Mitnick creates his own phone number by remotely reprogramming a phone switch, convinces two "mutually trusting" switches not to bill him for long distance calls, and accesses the Internet through a cellular phone to avoid traces. One obvious question from anyone who's every used a cellular modem: Who'd want to steal anything - no matter how valuable - at the unreasonably slow connect speeds afforded by cellular connections? (Best I've every been able to do is about 300 baud.) Both to avoid this problem and to further cover his tracks, Mitnick moves files to hidden, fictitious accounts on compromised systems around the country. By never actually moving the files to his home system except as necessary, he works at network speeds even over the phone connection. Like Cuckoo's Egg, Takedown also delves into the personal life of the writer. Unlike Stohl's book, however, no resolution is given to the relationship story line. What happened between Tsutomu and Julia? And what about John? Will Julia go back? Perhaps a sequel is in the works. A good read; not absolutely essential. But not a bad way to spend a flight from Cedar Rapids to Los Angeles. |
Takedown: The Pursuit and
Capture of Kevin Mitnick, America's Most Wanted Computer Outlaw -
By the Man Who Did It