Who Really Controls the Internet? The Secret Cyber Arms Race You’ve Never Heard Of

How Governments, Hackers, and Mercenaries Are Battling for Digital Supremacy

Beneath the surface of our daily online lives, a silent arms race is underway. Nicole Perlroth’s book exposes how intelligence agencies, private contractors, and freelance hackers are locked in a high-stakes battle for digital dominance. The NSA, for example, quietly amassed one of the world’s largest collections of cyberweapons, using them to break into foreign networks and gather intelligence. But when those tools leaked, the consequences were felt worldwide.

This race is not just about offense. For every cyberwarrior developing new exploits, there is a defender struggling to keep up. The imbalance between attack and defense leaves even the most advanced nations vulnerable. When the Shadow Brokers leaked NSA tools, hackers everywhere gained access to weapons once reserved for the world’s top spies, leading to a surge in ransomware and sabotage.

The rules of engagement in cyberwar are still being written. International norms and treaties lag behind the technology, leaving a dangerous vacuum. Meanwhile, the stakes are rising: critical infrastructure, elections, and even personal devices are all in the crosshairs.

For readers, understanding this hidden struggle is essential. Perlroth’s book is a guide to the new geopolitics of cyberspace, showing how the decisions made in secret rooms can shape the fate of nations—and the safety of individuals—everywhere. 1 2