Audiobooks by William L. Simon

The Art of Deception: Controlling the Human Element of Security

"Kevin Mitnick's exploits as a cyber-desperado and fugitive have spawned dozens of articles, books, films, and documentaries. Since his release from federal prison, in 1998, Mitnick has established himself as one of the most sought-after computer security experts worldwide. Now, in The Art of Deception, the world's most notorious hacker gives new meaning to the old adage, 'It takes a thief to catch a thief.' 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. With the help of true stories of successful attacks on business and government, he illustrates just how susceptible even the most locked-down information systems are. Narrating from the points of view of both the attacker and the victims, he explains why each attack was so successful and how it could have been prevented. And, perhaps most importantly, Mitnick offers advice for preventing these types of social engineering hacks through security protocols, training programs, and manuals that address the human element of security. Please note: This is a historical recording. The audio quality represents the technology of the time when it was produced."

Kevin D. Mitnick, Steve Wozniak, William L. Simon (Author), Nick Sullivan (Narrator)

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Mars Rover Curiosity: An Inside Account from Curiosity’s Chief Engineer

"In the course of our enduring quest for knowledge about ourselves and our universe, we haven't found answers to one of our most fundamental questions: Does life exist anywhere else in the universe? Ten years and billions of dollars in the making, the Mars rover Curiosity is poised to answer this all-important question. Here, Rob Manning, the project's chief engineer, tells of bringing the groundbreaking spacecraft to life. Manning and his team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, tasked with designing a lander many times larger and more complex than any before, faced technical setbacks, fights over inadequate resources, and the challenges of leading an army of brilliant, passionate, and often frustrated experts. Manning's fascinating personal account—which includes information from his exclusive interviews with leading Curiosity scientists—is packed with tales of revolutionary feats of science, technology, and engineering. Listeners experience firsthand the disappointment at encountering persistent technical problems, the agony of near defeat, the sense of victory at finding innovative solutions to these problems, the sheer terror of staking careers and reputations on a lander that couldn't be tested on Earth, and the rush of triumph at its successful touchdown on Mars on August 5, 2012. This is the story of persistence, dedication, and unrelenting curiosity."

Rob Manning, William L. Simon (Author), Bronson Pinchot (Narrator)

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