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Operation Firewall

By: Michal Lev-Ram
Narrated by: Michal Lev-Ram
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True Crime
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Episodes
  • Episode 1: On the Internet, Nobody Knows You’re a Dog

    Episode 1: On the Internet, Nobody Knows You’re a Dog
    Apr 28 2022
    It’s the early 2000s, and law enforcement is focused on counterterrorism, not computer crimes. But Secret Service Special Agent Steve Ward is eager to prove that cybercrime should be a top priority for his agency. He meets Albert Gonzalez, a young hacker, who has just been arrested in Manhattan and is facing multiple charges—he had been stealing money from ATMs using hacked debit card data. Steve quickly realizes that Albert isn’t just a one-man operation; he’s part of a global ring of cybercriminals called Shadowcrew.
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    39 mins
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  • Episode 2: The Cave

    Episode 2: The Cave
    Apr 28 2022
    Steve is determined to take down the cybercriminal ring his young hacker-turned-informant, Albert, belongs to: Shadowcrew. But first, he needs an off-the-books base of operations, and equipment, and… a team. The problem is, no one wants anything to do with Operation Firewall, the investigation Steve is trying to spearhead.
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    28 mins
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  • Episode 3: Master Helmsman

    Episode 3: Master Helmsman
    Apr 28 2022
    Steve struggles to get the Secret Service to properly fund Operation Firewall. So he comes up with an unconventional plan to visit Albert’s family in Miami and ask for their help. His whole life has led to this moment.
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    33 mins
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About the Creator and Performer

Michal Lev-Ram is a journalist based in Silicon Valley. Over the last 15+ years, she has covered the technology and entertainment sectors for Fortune, as well as other publications, including CNNMoney, Fast Company, Popular Science, and Business 2.0. As a senior writer at Fortune, Michal has authored cover stories about notable personalities like Twitter founder Jack Dorsey, former Disney CEO Bob Iger, famed crypto investor Katie Haun, and many more. Michal has also helped lead Fortune’s live media events, and co-hosted a weekly technology podcast called Brainstorm. Born in Israel, Michal holds a degree in journalism from San Francisco State University and lives in the Bay Area with her husband, three kids, and miniature poodle.

What listeners say about Operation Firewall

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Profile Image for T.M.B.

Interesting Gem

I came across this by recommendation in my feed. Happy that I did, it’s really good. Gives you a real telling of what was going on with hackers in early 2000.

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Profile Image for Amy Rosenfield

Totally engrossing!

Totally unexpected, funny, suspenseful and really very down to earth. The secret service is not something I ever thought much about, nor how the different bureaucracies clash as they all try to “protect “ our country. What is remarkable is that the hero is a totally “regular Joe”…ok, more fit and buffed than most people because he is, after all, a body guard, but he was the classic average person who stumbled onto a problem, and realized it was important, a big deal, in the face of indifference, and he taught himself all sorts of new skills and persevered. Lots of twists and turns and I highly recommend this podcast!!!

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Profile Image for Lucas Friedenreich

Completely Enthralling! My Fav Podcast of 2022

stunningly well produced. story was told in a fascinating very coherent manner and the characters well. Steve is such a natural for audio based story telling. An excellent combination of humor emotion and honesty. Overall Operation Firewall is a fascinating listen regardless of the level of interest you have in InfoSec.

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Profile Image for Deborah Smith

great listen

This was a great Podcast it kept me Interested the whole time. 5 stars. Yes

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Profile Image for Ray Riggs

Great story, well told, but…

Loved the story. It had me hanging on every word. However, the constant use of profanity was a bit off-putting, and in my opinion unnecessary. I know Steve is from Jersey and it’s a part of his culture and personality, but I think the story would be more widely shared if that wasn’t so prominent. Believe me, I’m not a prude, (I sent a career as a firefighter/paramedic and I get it) but there’s a time to tone it down or shut it off. This would have been the time. But if you can deal with that, great story and I thank the author for the work she put in and Steve for being willing to share.

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Profile Image for Anonymous User

Incredibly fascinating, suspenseful and honest must listen podcast!

Amazing to learn how a resourceful and determined secret service agent worked to take down an international cyber-crime ring. Extremely binge worthy podcast, the story is really well produced and told. Fact is always so much more interesting than fiction.

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Profile Image for jojonow

Amazing storytelling— and it’s true

Outstanding accomplishment of both crafting a riveting story, and exploring a unique relationship and it’s many twists and turns. Character development at its finest—and yup, it’s true. Brava.

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Profile Image for Amazon Customer

Riveting, beautifully told story

This is an amazing story on so many levels: from the thrilling drama to the empathetic analysis of the individuals’ emotions and experiences, to the gorgeous writing and narration. I couldn’t wait to go out on my morning walks so that I could listen to the next episode. A story of computer hacking is not necessarily something I would choose to listen to, but I am so glad I did. This fascinating story of these men will live on in my mind for a long time.

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Profile Image for Ms Sassy Critique

Fascinating Story, Superb Podcast!

I thoroughly enjoyed the way that Michal led this story to be told by Steve and others. She perfectly wove facts, information, emotions, suspense, and humor together to create a podcast that is binge worthy! I wish Steve had more stories like this to tell so there could be another series! Well done to the team who worked on this!

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Profile Image for Richard Graves

Fascinating story, well produced podcast

I loved the story, with unexpectedly exited twists and about the secret service, which you don’t usually hear stories about. Will recommend this to all of my friends.

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