Cult of the Dead Cow: How the Original Hacking Supergroup Might Just Save the World

- Blurb -

The shocking untold story of the elite secret society of hackers fighting to protect our privacy, our freedom -- even democracy itselfCult of the Dead Cow is the tale of the oldest, most respected, and most famous American hacking group of all time. Though until now it has remained mostly anonymous, its members invented the concept of hacktivism, released the top tool for testing password security, and created what was for years the best technique for controlling computers from afar, forcing giant companies to work harder to protect customers. They contributed to the development of Tor, the most important privacy tool on the net, and helped build cyberweapons that advanced US security without injuring anyone. With its origins in the earliest days of the Internet, the cDc is full of oddball characters -- activists, artists, and musicians -- some of whom went on to advise presidents, cabinet members, and CEOs and now walk the corridors of power in Washington and Silicon Valley.Today, the group and its followers are battling electoral misinformation, making personal data safer, and battling to keep technology a force for good instead of for surveillance and oppression. Cult of the Dead Cow shows how governments, corporations, and criminals came to hold immense power over individuals and how we can fight back against them.