Andy Greenberg

Andy Greenberg

Andy Greenberg is a technology journalist based in the United States known for his work on digital surveillance, hacking, privacy, and cybersecurity.

At WIRED magazine, where he is a senior writer, he covers how governments, criminals, and technology come together in the digital world. His work often looks into hacker culture, cyberattacks, and tools used to track crimes committed online.

He previously worked for Forbes magazine as a senior reporter before joining WIRED in 2014. During this time, he wrote a lot about online freedom and cybersecurity.

One of Andy Greenberg’s major stories was about hackers taking control of a Jeep Cherokee from a remote location. His investigative report led to the recall of 1.4 million vehicles, demonstrating the critical role of journalism in shaping technology policy and public safety.

His work often focuses on explaining difficult topics in simple language to make readers better understand how hacking works. Greenberg has also written about the global fight against cybercriminal groups, surveillance, and whistleblowers.

Through interviews with security experts, hackers, and investigators, he shows how everyday life is sometimes impacted by digital battles.
For his work, Andy Greenberg won several honours, including a Gerald Loeb Award for exceptional financial and business reporting and an Overseas Press Club’s Cornelius Ryan Citation for Excellence.

Greenberg was featured in Deep Web, the documentary that explored the online marketplace Silk Road and the broader workings of the dark web.

In 2012, Andy Greenberg published the book This Machine Kills, examining the rise of activists who use the internet and encryption to challenge secrecy.

The author describes groups such as hacktivists, cypherpunks, and WikiLeaks' founders. He shows how modern tools, including encryption, enable exposure of powerful institutions and hidden information.

He follows critical figures who are convinced that open information and privacy can change journalism and politics. At the same time, he explains the controversies, conflicts, and risks that come with exposing secrets online.

In his next work titled Sandworm, Andy Greenberg tells the story of “Sandworm”, a very powerful hacking group that is believed to be funded by the Russian military intelligence agency.

The work follows cybersecurity experts and investigators as they track “Sandworm” across the world. The hackers go against companies, governments, and power grids, among other critical systems.

Through interviews and reporting, Greenberg shows how the face of modern conflict and digital attacks is being changed by cyber technology.

In Tracers in the Dark, Andy Greenberg examines how investigators learned how to go after criminals using cryptocurrency.

When Bitcoin first emerged, many believed it was untraceable, and criminals used it to move illegal funds, sell drugs, and run dark web markets. He follows analysts, researchers, and law enforcement agents who realized that the Bitcoin public blockchain exhibited patterns.

By studying the records, they exposed major cybercrime networks through transaction tracing. They showcase the global hunt that led to the shutdown of major dark web markets and the arrest of criminals.

Andy Greenberg: Lists & Other Mentions

• This Machine Kills Secrets was a The Verge: The Greatest Tech Books of All Time Selection in 2023.

Related Authors

Fans of Andy Greenberg also enjoy these authors:

1. Andy Weir, author of: Project Hail Mary.
2. Stephen King, author of The Dark Tower Series.
3. John Scalzi, author of the Old Man's War Series.
4. Neal Stephenson, author of: Snow Crash.
5. Ernest Cline, author of the Ready Player One Series.

Andy Greenberg: F.A.Q