The Cuckoo's Egg: Tracking a Spy Through the Maze of Computer Espionage (1989)

by Clifford Stoll

When astronomer/computer administrator Clifford Stoll discovered a 75-cent discrepency in an accounting program, he decided not to overlook it. 

From this insignificant starting point, the trail led to a computer hacker in contact with the KGB and working out of Germany who was systematically targeting the computers of NASA and the US military.

 

It also brought him into contact with the American intelligence community and led to a new emphasis on preventing computer espionage. 

Stoll tells his story in a light, humorous style and explains the workings of computer networks with great clarity.

 

Clifford Stoll

In addition to the mystery of the hacker, I enjoyed a peek into the bohemian lifestyle of the Berkeley community as well as the evolution of Stoll's thinking on computer and national security and the way it put him at odds with many of his left-leaning friends, forcing him to take a hard look at many of his own values.

"Cuckoo's Egg" (German)

"The Cuckoo's Nest: About Squatters and Computer Espionage" (Dutch)

"The Cat and the Mouse" (Spanish)

"Cuckoo Egg" (Polish)

"Cyber Spy: The Spectacular Chase in a Computer Maze" (Vietnamese)