A real-life technological thriller about a band of eccentric misfits taking on the biggest cybersecurity threats of our time.
What Michael Lewis did for baseball in Moneyball, Renee Dudley and Daniel Golden do brilliantly for the world of ransomware and hackers. Cinematic, big in scope, and meticulously reported, this book is impossible to put down. Doug Stanton, New York Times bestselling author of In Harms Way and Horse Soldiers
Scattered across the world, an elite team of code crackers is working tirelessly to thwart the defining cyber scourge of our time. Youve probably never heard of them. But if you work for a school, a business, a hospital, or a municipal government, or simply cherish your digital data, you may be painfully familiar with the teams sworn enemy: ransomware. Again and again, an unlikely band of misfits, mostly self-taught and often struggling to make ends meet, have outwitted the underworld of hackers who lock computer networks and demand huge payments in return for the keys.
The Ransomware Hunting Team traces the adventures of these unassuming heroes and how they have used their skills to save millions of ransomware victims from paying billions of dollars to criminals. Working tirelessly from bedrooms and back offices, and refusing payment, theyve rescued those whom the often hapless FBI has been unwilling or unable to help. Foremost among them is Michael Gillespie, a cancer survivor and cat lover who got his start cracking ransomware while working at a Nerds on Call store in the town of Normal, Illinois. Other teammates include the brilliant, reclusive Fabian Wosar, a high school dropout from Germany who enjoys bantering with the attackers he foils, and his protg, the British computer science prodigy Sarah White. Together, they have established themselves as the most effective force against an escalating global threat. This book follows them as they put their health, personal relationships, and financial security on the line to navigate the technological and moral challenges of combating digital hostage taking.
Urgent, uplifting, and entertaining, Renee Dudley and Daniel Goldens The Ransomware Hunting Team is a real-life technological thriller that illuminates a dangerous new era of cybercrime.
Dive into the thrilling world of cybercrime and unsung heroes with *The Ransomware Hunting Team: A Band of Misfits' Improbable Crusade to Save the World from Cybercrime* by Renee Dudley and Daniel Golden. This gripping narrative, praised as a "cinematic, big in scope, and meticulously reported" technological thriller, unveils the extraordinary efforts of a group of unconventional individuals battling the escalating threat of ransomware. Forget Hollywood depictions of hackers; this is a real-life David versus Goliath story. The book introduces you to a diverse team of self-taught code breakers scattered across the globe, united by a common goal: to dismantle ransomware attacks that cripple businesses, hospitals, schools, and government agencies. You'll meet Michael Gillespie, a cancer survivor and dedicated cat lover who honed his skills while working at a "Nerds on Call" store, becoming a pivotal figure in the fight against ransomware. Discover the brilliance of Fabian Wosar, a German high school dropout known for his coding prowess and witty exchanges with the very cybercriminals he thwarts. And be inspired by Sarah White, a British computer science prodigy who brings her exceptional talent to this critical mission. Dudley and Golden masterfully weave together personal narratives with intricate details of the cyber world, making complex technological concepts accessible to all readers. *The Ransomware Hunting Team* delves into the psychological toll this constant battle takes on these individuals, who often risk their health, personal relationships, and financial security to protect others. Experience the adrenaline rush of their investigations, the frustration of dealing with uncooperative or overwhelmed law enforcement, and the satisfaction of unlocking encrypted systems and returning control to victims. More than just a thrilling read, *The Ransomware Hunting Team* raises crucial questions about cybersecurity, law enforcement's role in combating cybercrime, and the ethical dilemmas faced by those who operate in the digital shadows. It highlights the vulnerability of our interconnected world and underscores the importance of individuals willing to dedicate their lives to protecting it. Explore how these unsung heroes navigate the complex moral landscape of digital hostage-taking, making difficult choices in the face of relentless cyberattacks. This book is a call to action, urging readers to understand the evolving landscape of cyber threats and to appreciate the vital work of those who stand between us and digital chaos. Prepare to be captivated by this urgent, uplifting, and ultimately inspiring account of ingenuity, resilience, and the unwavering commitment to making the world a safer place, one line of code at a time. Authors Renee Dudley and Daniel Golden, known for their investigative journalism and in-depth reporting, bring their expertise to bear on this timely and important subject. Golden, a Pulitzer Prize winner, and Dudley, with her background in technology reporting, provide a comprehensive and compelling look at the individuals on the front lines of the cyberwar. This is a must-read for anyone interested in true crime, technology, or the power of ordinary people to make an extraordinary difference.