Smartbomb (book)

Smartbomb: The Quest for Digital Gold, Chinese Hackers, and a New Global Arms Race is a non-fiction book by journalist Brian Merchant, published in 2018. The book explores the global trade in zero-day exploits and the complex ecosystem surrounding cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Merchant delves into the market for these exploits, examining the roles of hackers, governments, intelligence agencies, and private security firms. He also investigates the ethical implications of discovering and potentially weaponizing vulnerabilities, rather than disclosing them to vendors for patching. The book follows the hunt for, and eventual sale and use of, a specific zero-day vulnerability. It highlights the lucrative nature of the exploit market and the potential dangers it poses to digital security and international relations. The narrative incorporates insights from interviews with key figures in the cybersecurity world and provides a detailed account of the evolution and impact of the zero-day market.