Manipulated - by Theresa Payton Hardcover

About the Book

Stories from the Frontlines of the Global Cyberwar Cybersecurity expert Theresa Payton tells battlefront stories from the global war being conducted through clicks, swipes, internet access, technical backdoors and massive espionage schemes. She investigates the cyberwarriors ...

Book Synopsis

Cybersecurity expert Theresa Payton tells battlefront stories from the global war being conducted through clicks, swipes, internet access, technical backdoors and massive espionage schemes. She investigates the cyberwarriors who are planning tomorrow's attacks, weaving a fascinating yet bone-chilling tale of Artificial Intelligent mutations carrying out attacks without human intervention, "deepfake" videos that look real to the naked eye, and chatbots that beget other chatbots. Finally, Payton offers readers telltale signs that their most fundamental beliefs are being meddled with and actions they can take or demand that corporations and elected officials must take before it is too late.

Payton reveals:

How digital voting machines, voting online, and automatic registration may boost turnout but make us more vulnerable to cyberattacks.How trolls from Russia and other nations actively stroke discord among Americans in falsely-generated controversies over race relations, vaccinations, fracking, and other social issues.Whether what we have uncovered from the Mueller investigation so far is only what they wanted us to know.

Review Quotes

Manipulated takes on what is arguably the most important issue facing Americans today: the global digital war on democracy being waged by our geopolitical adversaries. Indeed, as she explains, most of the world is threatened by cyber election meddling. The basic story is familiar to people who follow the news. Russian and Chinese state actors, along with cyberwar units in Iran and elsewhere, are using highly sophisticated digital technologies to shift American public opinion and even hack the election infrastructure itself. What Payton does so skillfully in the book, though, is to flesh out the frightening reality of America's true vulnerability to foreign manipulation of its political process. Payton comes to this task with strong credentials. She was the first woman to serve as White House CIO, under President George W. Bush. Now, Payton is CEO of Fortalice Solutions, a cybersecurity and intelligence services firm. She brings an experienced eye to a subject that can be overwhelming and bewildering to most Americans.
Journal of Cyber Policy

Payton, an expert in cybersecurity, sounds a clarion call that our political process is at risk and explains why and how it is being assailed by foreign and domestic enemies of democracy. Many conservatives may want to dismiss Payton's arguments, since she places much of the blame for the situation at the feet of current Republican leadership. But Payton can't be dismissed as a liberal Democratic cynic, since her credentials are firmly rooted in the work she did for the George W. Bush administration. Payton clearly knows her stuff [and] she paints a timely, frightening picture.
Booklist

Theresa Payton's book on emerging security threats in cyberspace will pry your eyes wide-open to what is at stake for elections around the world, and other shenanigans involving your digital identity. After reading it you will understand why we are living in such divisive times and you will be much wiser when developing your online presence.
The UN Brief

About the Author

Theresa M. Payton served as the first female Chief Information Officer for the White House during the President George W. Bush administration and is currently CEO and founder of Fortalice Solutions, a boutique cybersecurity and intelligence services company that's listed in the Global Cybersecurity Top 500. She starred as the Deputy Commander of Intelligence on the CBS TV series, Hunted, is a frequent guest on national and international news outlets, and is featured in the book of "100 Fascinating Females Fighting Cybercrime." Among her many accolades are the FBI Director's award for community service. She has co-authored two other books with Ted Claypoole.