"This extraordinarily powerful book demonstrates how utterly we lack the shared supranational tools needed to fight cybercrime. Essential reading." --Roberto Saviano, author of Gommorah The benefits of living in a digital, globalized society are enormous; so too are the dangers. The world has become a law enforcer’s nightmare and every criminal’s dream. We bank online; shop online; date, learn, work and live online. But have the institutions that keep us safe on the streets learned to protect us in the burgeoning digital world? Have we become complacent about our personal security—sharing our thoughts, beliefs and the details of our daily lives with anyone who might care to relieve us of them? In this fascinating and compelling book, Misha Glenny, author of the international best seller McMafia, explores the three fundamental threats facing us in the twenty-first century: cybercrime, cyberwarfare and cyberindustrial espionage. Governments and the private sector are losing billions of dollars each year fighting an ever-morphing, often invisible and often supersmart new breed of criminal: the hacker. Glenny has traveled and trawled the world. By exploring the rise and fall of the criminal website DarkMarket he has uncovered the most vivid, alarming and illuminating stories. Whether JiLsi or Matrix, Iceman, Master Splynter or Lord Cyric; whether Detective Sergeant Chris Dawson in Scunthorpe, England, or Agent Keith Mularski in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Glenny has tracked down and interviewed all the players—the criminals, the geeks, the police, the security experts and the victims—and he places everyone and everything in a rich brew of politics, economics and history. The result is simply unputdownable. DarkMarket is authoritative and completely engrossing. It’s a must-read for everyone who uses a computer: the essential crime book for our times.
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"The book "DarkMarket, Cyberthieves, Cybercops and You" by Misha Glenny brilliantly shows the dark cyber world in the internet realm. Misha Glenny uses uncanny accuracy in shedding light on the scenes behind the forums and sites that computer hackers dwell. I enjoyed playing Dungeon and Dragons while a teen. This dark world parallels Dungeon and Dragons in many ways. It does in that Dungeon and Dragon players are portrayed through their chosen characters as the cyberthieves are portrayed through their avatars on the hacker forums. I moved up the Dungeon and Dragon game hierarchy to become a Dungeon Master, which would parallel in this dark world as an administrator to site DarkMarket. This book is an easy read because the storyline is so interesting and compelling. There are many characters in this book, so it will be confusing at times trying to keep up with all of them. My favorite was 'Max Vision' aka Iceman. His story alone could be a source for a second book. Misha Glenny's work shows in his sewing together all of the storylines into a ending conclusion epilogue. I really enjoyed this book."
— Chad (4 out of 5 stars)
" Dark Market just isn't as good as Misha Glenny's previous book McMafia. That was a roller coaster ride through the world of organised crime, funny and shocking. Dark Market is more of a short road trip to an unpleasant place populated by weird characters. The basic story is reasonably interesting (though hardly what I would call riveting) - the rise and fall of website that acted as a focal point for credit card hacking - and some of the characters are colourful enough in their own right. But, overall, the writing doesn't sparkle as much as McMafia, and it just can't hold your interest to the same level. If you enjoyed McMafia, or are interested in cybercrime this isn't a bad read. "
— Doug, 2/18/2014" Very interesting read on the dark side of the cyber world- history of hacking, the key players, and the future. Intense and funny at times, gives you perspective on an otherwise obscure topic. "
— Eric, 2/13/2014" Fascinating description of the world of cyber crime, illuminated through the attempts to infiltrate the card skimming website DarkMarket and to arrest and prosecute 'some' of its members and administrators. Really scary implications for those of us who use debit, credit or other cards regulary. "
— Bruno, 2/10/2014" A very interesting read with many intriguing insights into the underworld of cyber-crime. "
— Duane, 2/2/2014" Written like a thriller. More scary though as it is true! Well worth a read if you are interested in internet stories and crime. "
— Paul, 1/27/2014" Pretty much the exact same book as Kingpin . I mean, really similar, to the point where Glenny should be embarrassed. What's the point of retreading the exact same ground? Maybe it's just a coincidence, but the gap in publication date is big enough that DarkMarket includes Kingpin in its bibliography! And Glenny doesn't bring anything new to the table. "
— Amar, 1/24/2014" Well written and engaging as well as alarming. "
— Eryn, 1/19/2014" An enjoyable, easy read that makes you think... if you hadn't already! "
— Sally, 12/31/2013" I think everyone should read this. EVERYONE "
— Saddie, 12/30/2013" It's an interesting book. Done similar to Michael Lewis, it tracks two Investigations into cyber crime. "
— Jeni, 12/4/2013" Good read for those interested in computers. Excellent investigative journalism but could probably have been told in a more coherent manner with less suspense. "
— Diane, 12/2/2013" I thought that this book was really interesting. It opens up your eyes to what has been happening in the cyber world. "
— Jer, 11/22/2013" The rise and fall of DarkMarket and their administrators. Easy reading. "
— Cezar, 10/4/2013" Decent enough book. Makes you want to avoid using your credit cards ever again. "
— Kerry, 6/29/2013" Fascinating book. I found the cast of characters a bit confusing, though, so I sometimes had the feeling of losing the plot. I liked reviews of this book by Xing and Gerald Sinstadt. "
— David, 4/20/2013" Very interesting material. Mediocre writing. Worth it if you're interesting in cybercrime or organized crime. Not if you're just looking for a good book. "
— Lucas, 3/28/2013" Enjoyed but preferred Kingpin: How One Hacker Took Over the Billion-Dollar Cybercrime Underground which had access to major players and provided an accurate representation of events. "
— Alex, 3/4/2013" Lot of things I didn't know about. ( IAACA : International Association for the Advancement of Criminal Activity ... ) "
— BAKU, 12/4/2012" Tell me again why credit cards and direct deposits are a good idea? "
— Nate, 7/23/2012" For nonfiction it reads like a novel. Great format, great pacing. Not only is the hacking world documented in detail but some of the major players are vividly brought to life under Misha Glenny's deft touch. Really fine writing. "
— Susan, 6/30/2012" The book focused specifically on card-skimming, the websites that promoted it and the main players. Thus it was well focused but not what the title promises. And quite frankly, grew boring as one quickly understands that cyber thieves are as boring as the non-criminal computer geek. "
— H, 5/8/2012" Scary insight into today's cyber crimes. Coincidentally, I finished reading this the day I was notified by my insurance company that my identity was compromised due to theft of back up tapes. What's next? Who knows...it's a whole new world of unknown. "
— Jody, 2/2/2012" Well written and engaging as well as alarming. "
— Eryn, 10/29/2011Misha Glenny is the author of DarkMarket, McMafia, The Rebirth of History, The Fall of Yugoslavia (which won the Overseas Press Club Award in 1993 for Best Book on Foreign Affairs), and The Balkans: Nationalism, War and the Great Power, 1804-1999. He was a BBC Central Europe correspondent and has been regularly consulted by the US and European governments on major policy issues.
Jonathan Cowley, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, is a British actor hailing from Eastbourne, East Sussex, but he currently calls Los Angeles home. He has narrated many audiobooks and can also be heard on both sides of the Atlantic narrating film trailers and documentaries. He is also an active television and film actor who has appeared in Grey’s Anatomy, Veep, and WestWorld.