The shocking untold story ofthe elite secret society of hackers fighting to protect our privacy, ourfreedom, and even democracy itself.Cult of the Dead Cowis the tale of the oldest, most respected, and most famous Americanhacking group of all time. Though until now it has remained mostlyanonymous, its members invented the concept of hacktivism, released thetop tool for testing password security, and created what was for yearsthe best technique for controlling computers from afar, forcing giantcompanies to work harder to protect customers. They contributed to thedevelopment of Tor, the most important privacy tool on the net, andhelped build cyberweapons that advanced US security without injuringanyone.With its origins in the earliest daysof the Internet, the CDC is full of oddball characters -- activists,artists, even future politicians. Many of these hackers have become topexecutives and advisors walking the corridors of power in Washington andSilicon Valley. The most famous is former Texas Congressman and currentpresidential candidate Beto O'Rourke, whose time in the CDC set him upto found a tech business, launch an alternative publication in El Paso,and make long-shot bets on unconventional campaigns.Today,the group and its followers are battling electoral misinformation,making personal data safer, and battling to keep technology a force forgood instead of for surveillance and oppression.Cult of the Dead Cowshows how governments, corporations, and criminals came to hold immensepower over individuals and how we can fight back against them.