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Hackers : The Hunt for Australia’s Most Infamous Computer Cracker
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 10, 2015
Basically Apro is super butthurt and would like everyone to know about ow awesome he is. the first 5 chapters are about how he started setting up the computer crime unit, 6-14 are about phoenix, and everything after that is 'I did other stuff too then they fired e but I'm srsly the best'
'cmon. Decide what the book is. I it's the hunt for phoenix it would have had less about apro and more about phoenix, more detail of the interviews, trial and phoenixes behavior afterwards. If it was about the establishment of computer crime it would have had more about the bitmapper case. This is about Apro and his big ego.
Even the language used in the book is so... self congratulatory. He goes on about all this work he did and barly acknowledges the efforts of those he recruited to help him. there are many informants and friends who played a large role in the intelligence gathering and he never acknowledges their role and the importance of them in all this. The language used when he asks them to help is never 'asked' or 'requested' or any other word which would acknowledge a favor, but rather words that imply an order. 'got'(read as 'ordered' rather than 'convinced') and 'told'
His family gets a mention. That he has them. Like... 3 times his family was mentioned? This is an intense, years long process. Like his family didn't play some part is supporting him through it emotionally. Can't even devote a sentence to that, just their existence. His wife gets a sentence about her existence in reference to a shooting attempt; his 2 daughters get a sentence in reference to why he declined a job offer. If this was about phoenix that would be fine but it's blates about apro. He devotes whole chapters to his career and whole paragraphs to why he chose the afp but he can't give a sentence of acknowledgement to his friends and his family? All up it's just... such a masturbation project. Makes for an annoying read.
If you're interested in phoenix from the perspective of the guy who caught him, read chapters 6-14 and ignore the rest.
'cmon. Decide what the book is. I it's the hunt for phoenix it would have had less about apro and more about phoenix, more detail of the interviews, trial and phoenixes behavior afterwards. If it was about the establishment of computer crime it would have had more about the bitmapper case. This is about Apro and his big ego.
Even the language used in the book is so... self congratulatory. He goes on about all this work he did and barly acknowledges the efforts of those he recruited to help him. there are many informants and friends who played a large role in the intelligence gathering and he never acknowledges their role and the importance of them in all this. The language used when he asks them to help is never 'asked' or 'requested' or any other word which would acknowledge a favor, but rather words that imply an order. 'got'(read as 'ordered' rather than 'convinced') and 'told'
His family gets a mention. That he has them. Like... 3 times his family was mentioned? This is an intense, years long process. Like his family didn't play some part is supporting him through it emotionally. Can't even devote a sentence to that, just their existence. His wife gets a sentence about her existence in reference to a shooting attempt; his 2 daughters get a sentence in reference to why he declined a job offer. If this was about phoenix that would be fine but it's blates about apro. He devotes whole chapters to his career and whole paragraphs to why he chose the afp but he can't give a sentence of acknowledgement to his friends and his family? All up it's just... such a masturbation project. Makes for an annoying read.
If you're interested in phoenix from the perspective of the guy who caught him, read chapters 6-14 and ignore the rest.
March 26, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed this, read it in one sitting - couldn't put it down. Brilliant to see this story from the AFP side.
June 11, 2020
Read years ago before I started in technology, good to see Australian hackers going for it.
November 11, 2025
This book provides a firsthand account of a landmark moment in Australian law enforcement and digital history: the 1990 dawn raid the author led to apprehend "Phoenix," one of the world's first and most skilled international hackers. This operation was the culmination of the Australian Federal Police's—and the world's—first dedicated cyber-investigation.
The narrative goes beyond this historic event to explore the institutional resistance faced when pioneering new fields and offers a critical, forward-looking analysis of today's threats, such as AI-powered psychological manipulation and quantum computing. It is both a gripping personal story and a crucial commentary on the challenges we face in the digital age.
I believe the book's unique perspective—bridging true crime, Australian history, and technology—is a must to understand the potential of AI cyber crime facing society today.
The narrative goes beyond this historic event to explore the institutional resistance faced when pioneering new fields and offers a critical, forward-looking analysis of today's threats, such as AI-powered psychological manipulation and quantum computing. It is both a gripping personal story and a crucial commentary on the challenges we face in the digital age.
I believe the book's unique perspective—bridging true crime, Australian history, and technology—is a must to understand the potential of AI cyber crime facing society today.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews