The KGB, the Computer, and Me.
DragonFartOutLoud3 HN recommenders · recommended in 3 months, 2021–2024
documentary · general · evergreen · 2021–2024 on HN
A WGBH/NOVA re-enactment of Clifford Stoll's hunt for KGB-linked hacker Markus Hess, based on his book The Cuckoo's Egg. It starts from a 75-cent accounting discrepancy at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory.
Mentioned alongside The Cuckoo's Egg as the screen version of an early computer-security detective story.
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5 comments from Hacker News
Definitely read his book The Cuckoo's Egg. Terrific story and prose. Then check out the old Nova documentary about the story: The KGB, The Computer, and Me: ▶ this video
Haven't seen anyone mention the 1990 documentary: ▶ this video It's amazing to see how little he's changed.
There was also a television adaptation, "The KGB, the Computer, and Me" produced by PBS Nova in like 1992, starring Clifford Stoll as Cliff Stoll! Here is a bootlegged youtube link--it's the best I've got. ▶ this video A legend!
The Cuckoo's Egg by Clifford Stoll [1] Pulling a small thread of trivial inconsistent accounting value to in the end exposing an international spy ring. I grew up in the cold war, so I have always been interested in what went on. First recommended by a lecturer at Uni. The book reads like a techno-thriller but happened. Full of technical detail, I learnt a lot about UNIX system when I first read the book. I would still say the book offers a great primer on computer security concepts and the logical processes people use to understand a systems. Always good to be reminded of that from time to time. NOVA made an episode based on the book [2] [1] link [2] ▶ this video
it is hard not to mention the fine WGBH produced re-enactment [1] version of this story any time this book is mentioned. there's also a german film from the POV of the other side of cliff's story [2] [1] link [1] ▶ this video [2] link