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The Post-Snowden Cyber Arms Hustle
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The Post-Snowden Cyber Arms Hustle

An Indian hacker promised governments he could supply them with NSA-level technology. But when Mauritania hired him to help spy on its cell networks, things went way, way south.

Jordan Robertson and Michael Riley
Bloomberg Businessweek , 2017
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Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

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  • Background

Recommendation

In a gripping real-life story that reads like a thriller, Bloomberg Businessweek cybersecurity reporters Jordan Robertson and Michael Riley uncover the dangerous territory of international cybersecurity and chronicle the recklessness of an inexperienced, albeit driven, businessman. The journalists expertly unfold the series of decisions Manish Kumar made, which ultimately led to the ongoing plight of an innocent Italian bodyguard, Cristian Provvisionato, now held by the Mauritania government. getAbstract recommends this exposé and morality tale to cybersecurity enthusiasts and human rights advocates.

Summary

After trying out several business ventures, entrepreneur Manish Kumar founded Wolf Intelligence, a spy technology provider. In 2014, he presented at the major industry trade show, Milipol Qatar. Mauritanian officials were interested in his offer – software that performs a “silent SMS attack,” whereby you can hack someone’s cell phone. Kumar struck a deal with them for $2.5 million with the country’s representative, Ahmed Bah dit Hmeida.

In February 2015, Kumar flew to Mauritania. One crucial piece of code was missing, but he knew where to get it: Israel. But with a price tag of $1 million, he’d need another...

About the Authors

 Jordan Robertson and Michael Riley are cybersecurity reporters for Bloomberg Businessweek. 

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