The Watchman

[jaguar291]

I finally got some time to read the book The Watchman: The Twisted Life and Crimes of Serial Hacker Kevin Poulsen and I've got to say that I was dissappointed. I expected a good read from Littman but sadly got a story about a lame script kiddie that stalked celebrities and physically broke into Pacific Bell buildings and stole computer equipment. Littman protrays Poulsen as a hacker when in fact he is a cracker, breaking into phone companies databases and rigging radio contests. The story is exciting at times but still, I don't recommend it.

My Rating (1-10): 4

The Watchman: The Twisted Life and Crimes of Serial Hacker Kevin Poulsen
By: Jonathan Littman and Roger Donald
Publisher: Little Brown & Company
ISBN: 0316528579

For more information: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...roduct-details

[casper3699]

I thought it was pretty good. I like the Hacker Crackdown better though.

[souleman]

Littman protrays Poulsen as a hacker when in fact he is a cracker

Thats cause Littman has to deal with modern day media, and has to use the current terms of this day and age. A book about a true "hacker" would probably be increadibly boring.

Poulsen was actually more of a phreak then anything else, but thats beside the point. Now he is a cybercrime reporter and writer for securityfocus...

[jaguar291]

Originally posted here by souleman

Thats cause Littman has to deal with modern day media, and has to use the current terms of this day and age. A book about a true "hacker" would probably be increadibly boring.

It's sad how modern media confuses the terms but back to the point...

I am thinking about reading the book The Cyberthief and the Samurai, it's the story of Tsutomu Shimomura and how he tracked Kevin Mitnick down. That would qualify as a "true hacker" story wouldn't it? Once I get some time, I'll let you guys know what I think of it.