87K views · Nov 2, 2013 · 56:58 · 3 HN recommenders · 5 mentions · discussed 2021–2024
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.
Why Hacker News points people here: Mentioned alongside The Cuckoo's Egg as the screen version of an early computer-security detective story.
“Then check out the old Nova documentary about the story”HN comment, 2024
“A legend!”
Television adaptation of Cliff Stoll's story.
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!
“It's amazing to see how little he's changed.”
1990 documentary featuring Cliff Stoll.
Haven't seen anyone mention the 1990 documentary: this video It's amazing to see how little he's changed.
“Then check out the old Nova documentary about the story”
Old Nova documentary of the Cuckoo's Egg story.
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
“it is hard not to mention the fine WGBH produced re-enactment [1] version of this story”
Re-enactment of the Cuckoo's Egg story.
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
“NOVA made an episode based on the book [2]”
NOVA episode based on the book.
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
