The world's most infamous hacker offers an insider's view of the low-tech threats to high-tech security Kevin Mitnick's exploits as a cyber-desperado and fugitive form one of the most exhaustive FBI manhunts in history and have spawned dozens of articles, books, films, and documentaries. Since his release from federal prison, in 1998, Mitnick has turned his life around and established himself as one of the most sought-after computer security experts worldwide. Now, in The Art of Deception, the world's most notorious hacker gives new meaning to the old adage, "It takes a thief to catch a thief." Focusing on the human factors involved with information security, Mitnick explains why all the firewalls and encryption protocols in the world will never be enough to stop a savvy grifter intent on rifling a corporate database or an irate employee determined to crash a system. With the help of many fascinating true stories of successful attacks on business and government, he illustrates just how susceptible even the most locked-down information systems are to a slick con artist impersonating an IRS agent. Narrating from the points of view of both the attacker and the victims, he explains why each attack was so successful and how it could have been prevented in an engaging and highly readable style reminiscent of a true-crime novel. And, perhaps most importantly, Mitnick offers advice for preventing these types of social engineering hacks through security protocols, training programs, and manuals that address the human element of security.

Photography is a lie. Just think about it: photographers create two-dimensional images that sometimes even lack color and then expect everyone who views the image to believe that this is how the subject and scene appeared in front of the lens, in real life. What is truly amazing is that people fall for the visual trickery readily, almost as if they want to be deceived. It gets better: people still believe that one can photograph only what is really there. In this book, Irakly Shanidze reveals the smoke and mirrors that the best photographers use to surprise, entertain, and inspire viewers. He explains that the individual features of photographer’s perception and technical limitations of his equipment make him do things that may eventually make a picture look very different from how a viewer would see the same scene with a naked eye and can lead to a ruined picture. Conversely, photographers who understand these phenomena can use the aforementioned “constraints” to deliberately adjust the level of truthfulness in their pictures. In each beautifully illustrated chapter, Shanidze discloses the photographic tools that enterprising photographers can use to create visual deception (e.g., to create a sense of dimension, create day-for-night effects, establish mood, simulate candid photographs, and generally suspend disbelief—without the time-consuming post-processing!). In doing so, he describes the image objectives (in other words, defines the image concepts) and introduces the tools needed to achieve them—whether a lens of a certain focal length, a light of a specific wattage, or a given shutter speed. He also deconstructs some of his favorite images to show readers how he was able to create a chiseled deception of his own. Armed with this book, photographers will learn to truly take the reins in their photographic pursuits and deliver supercharged, iconic, storytelling images.

From the world’s greatest master illusion artists, including Guido Moretti, Tracy Lee Stum, Vladimir Kush, Rob Gonsalves and Bev Doolittle, to Istvan Orosz, John Langdon, Scott Kim, Oscar Reutersvard, and Donald "Rusty" Rust, THE ART OF DECEPTION is not just an ordinary collection of optical illusions. Author Brad Honeycutt has collected 200 of the finest deceptive images ever assembled that will excite both novices and long-time fans of illusion art. The spectrum spans from classic optical illusions to art that is "made real from the impossible." This collection includes famous paintings, stunning photographs, and computer enhanced visual eye treats that will make your mind's eye blink twice . . . and then smile. Every image was handpicked to feature a specific segment of the illusory spectrum that has one sole purpose--to illustrate the best artistic presentation possible. With commentary by the artists about their vision and techniques, this is an extraordinary book on the art and science of the illusion.

A young woman finds herself caught up in international intrigue—and gets her heart stolen—in The Art of Deception from #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts, “the queen of romantic suspense” (The Columbus Dispatch). Adam Haines claims to be an admirer of Phillip Fairchild’s artistry, wishing to practice the craft as a student of the famous painter. Phillip’s daughter Kirby believes her father is blind to Adam’s flattery and suspects he’s hiding something. An attempt on Kirby’s life reveals the truth after Adam saves her. He’s an investigator seeking a missing Rembrandt painting and the trail leads to Phillip, who’s been known to traffic in forged and stolen art. Now, as Adam and Kirby risk their lives to protect her father and stop dangerous criminals, they also take a chance on the love that’s growing between them.

"Suspenseful and entertaining, with many twists and turns....This is one of the best Sherlock Holmes series since Laurie R. King’s Mary Russell books."—Historical Novel Society USA Today bestselling author Leonard Goldberg returns with another puzzling case for the daughter of Sherlock Holmes to unravel in this exciting mystery, The Art of Deception, sure to be enjoyed by fans of Sherlock Holmes as well as Laurie R. King and Charles Finch. In the west end of London, an apparently crazed individual is on the loose, breaking into art galleries and private homes to slash valuable paintings of women. Despite Scotland Yard’s best efforts, the criminal remains at large and continues on his destructive path. When Joanna and the Watsons are called in to solve the mystery, they soon discover that although the canvases have been slashed, their backings remain pristine, with no cuts or scratches. The criminal, it seems, is no mere vandal—he's searching for something hidden behind the portraits. Suspicion soon falls on two skilled art restorers who previously worked at the gallery where all the vandalized art was purchased. When Joanna finds the body of one in a bricked off fireplace at the gallery, the other is left as the prime suspect. But then he's discovered dead as well. Luckily, Joanna has a plan for ensnaring the criminal once and for all. But it must not fail, or more paintings—and lives—will be lost.

This is not your ordinary how-to book! Austin TX based authors and polymer clay artists Kim Schlinke and Randee M. Ketzel artfully mix a clever mystery with 20 how-to projects that show step-by step photographs and instructions to create your own "ancient artifacts." These polymer clay masterpieces are beautiful enough to grace a museum collection-or yours! At 206 pages, this lavishly photographed book is stuffed with a multitude of projects that can be done just as presented with highly detailed step-by-step instruction, or used as starting points to make faux gems for use in all sorts of designs. Priced retail at $30, the hefty book's how-to projects weigh in at the mere cost of $1.50 each. Animal lovers will be pleased to note that our authors also give us the secrets of making replicas of ivory and tiger claw that involve no cruelty towards elephants or wild cats whatsoever! Projects featured in this compendium include: Celtic Bronze Fibula, Navajo Silver Pendant, Art Nouveau Golden Gingko Brooch, Carnelian Choker of Ancient Rome, Amethyst Cabochons and Nugget Beads, Amethyst Silver Art Nouveau Pendant, Black Opal Cabochons, Barbarian Bracelet, Chrysoprase Cabochons (A and B Grade), Hammered Cuff Bracelet, Ancient Limestone Fossil Pebbles, Cycladic Goddess, Leopardskin Jasper, Primitive Pebble Bracelet, Faux Twigs, Fantastical Forgeries Bracelet, Blue Lace Agate Tile Bracelet, Copper & Rhodochrosite Tiered Necklace, Snowflake Jades, Qin Dynasty Bangles, Amber Caravan Necklace, Primeval Coral Rock Hound Necklace, Ammolite Cabochons, Gothic Revival Pendant, Victorian Mourning Brooch, Faux Tiger Claw, Victorian Raj Brooch, Faux Tiffany Glass Scarabs, Faux Ivory Cuff Bracelet Find out how it is all done-and "who done it"-along with our intrepid protagonists, Parker and Peele. "What is this stuff?" wondered Parker, and her companion pointed her umbrella to the drawings that plastered the walls. "The raw materials for the best forgeries ever seen" replied her friend. "This is where they were created." Together they examined the drawings, exclaiming softly as they recognized several objects from the Museum. Parker picked up one of the colorful lumps and frowned. "What is this, Peele? It's soft like clay, but I've never seen these colors before." "No," said her friend, "nor have I-at least in this form. I suspect it requires a catalyst of some type to render it into the false gems-ah, here!" Peele uncovered an array of electric ovens. "Heat-how charming. This must be some type of polymer, which, when brought to the proper temperature, then hardens. I have heard rumors. Could become just about anything, in skilled hands."

Now reissued for contemporary readers, this entertaining primer on critical thinking has been teaching people to think and speak more clearly for more than four decades.Do you know when you're being deceived? Can you trust the information coming from Washington, the media, and the Internet?This classic work on critical thinking uses a novel approach to teach the basics of informal logic. On the assumption that "it takes one to know one," the authors have written the book from the point of view of someone who wishes to deceive, mislead, or manipulate others. Having mastered the art of deception, readers will then be able to detect the misuse or abuse of logic when they encounter it in others -- whether in a heated political debate or while trying to evaluate the claims of a persuasive sales person. Using a host of real-world examples, the authors show you how to win an argument, defend a case, recognize a fallacy, see through deception, persuade a skeptic, and turn defeat into victory. Whether you're evaluating a social media rumor or you just want to become more adept at making your points and analyzing others' arguments, The Art of Deception--now with an updated preface--will give you the intellectual tools to become a more effective thinker and speaker. Helpful exercises and discussion questions are also included.