This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends

This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends, written by renowned cybersecurity journalist Nicole Perlroth, takes readers deep into the shadowy world of the global cyberweapons market. Serving as a terrifying and eye-opening investigation, the book exposes a reality where invisible software vulnerabilities known as zero days become formidable tools of espionage and warfare. A zero day is a critical flaw in software that hackers can exploit to infiltrate computer networks without detection, wreaking havoc on a massive scale. These zero days are akin to modern-day blood diamonds, traded secretly and fervently coveted by nation-states, defence contractors, cybercriminals, and even mercenaries.

As Perlroth meticulously delves into this clandestine realm, she introduces readers to a variety of characters, including spies, hackers, arms dealers, and a few vigilant defenders fighting on the front lines of cybersecurity. Her journey is an incredible mix of investigative journalism and gripping narrative that lays bare the alarming truth of our vulnerability in the digital age. Through her detailed and deeply sourced reporting, Perlroth uncovers the chilling escalation of cyber threats as our world's critical infrastructure becomes increasingly dependent on interconnected technologies.

THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

SHORTLISTED FOR THE FT & McKINSEY BUSINESS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD 2021

'An intricately detailed, deeply sourced and reported history of the origins and growth of the cyberweapons market . . . Hot, propulsive . . . Sets out from the start to scare us out of our complacency' New York Times

'A terrifying exposé' The Times

'Part John le Carré and more parts Michael Crichton . . . Spellbinding' New Yorker

Perlroth's exploration offers much more than just technical insight; it underscores the moral and ethical quandaries that accompany the trade in zero days. With governments more often as clients rather than regulators, and hackers handsomely rewarded to discover and conceal these vulnerabilities, the narrative echoes the wild, untamed environments of a contemporary digital Wild West. This complicit silence among entities can lead to disastrous consequences, as evidenced by past cyber-attacks, such as those that have debilitated national infrastructures.

This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends is both a dire warning and a clarion call to action. It is an urgent investigation into how and why we must protect our online world with the same fervour and urgency we extend to our physical surroundings. Nicole Perlroth’s uncompromising and vivid prose ensures that this story stays with you, impressing upon readers the critical importance of understanding and safeguarding against one of the gravest threats of our time.