How I Rob Banks: And Other Such Places

by FC Barker

Follow FC as he steals from the world’s most secure banks and government facilities―without breaking a single law In How I Rob And Other Such Places , renowned ethical hacker and social engineer FC delivers a gripping and often hilarious discussion of his testing the limits of physical bank security by trying to “steal” money, data, and anything else he can get his hands on. In the book, you’ll explore the secretive world of physical assessments and follow FC as he breaks into banks and secure government locations to identify security flaws and loopholes. The author explains how banks and other secure facilities operate, both digitally and physically, and shows you the tools and techniques he uses to gain access to some of the world’s most locked-down buildings. You’ll also A can’t-miss account of real-life security exploits perfect for infosec pros, including red and blue teamers, pentesters, CIOs, CISSPs, and social engineers, How I Rob Banks also belongs in the hands of anyone who loves a great Ocean’s 11 -style story pulled straight from the real world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Technology, Hackers, Computers

256 pages, Hardcover

Published June 7, 2023

Reviews

[Spencer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a light read, but it’s a fun collection of short, fun anecdotes about how he walks into buildings where he’s not supposed to be to help test the security. Lots of great ideas if one were wanting to write about thrifty spies.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though not the most glamorous of lifestyles, pen testing is thrilling in it's own way. Maybe it takes a specific type of person to enjoy it but everyone needs to think of security in their own sphere.

[Lino Matteo · Rating 3 out of 5]

How I Rob Banks: Thoughts

How I Rob Banks: And Other Such Places by FC Barker

FC Barker has delivered a book that is both entertaining, educational, and timely in a world that is ever more connected and more perilous. The style is short crisp lessons. Each chapter has a story to tell – well, parts of a story. You see, there is plenty of information that is confidential. That is why we only get part of the story – but enough for us to learn valuable lessons.
For instance, chapter 4 tells some interesting tips to go with the tale:
• Walking down steps – they assume you are coming from higher up, therefore more authority
• Take the jacket off – no jacket, in a business environment, signals that you left if on the back of your door or chair
• Wear a cast – people will try to help someone with a cast, they might even, literally, open the door for you!
Welcome to the world of social hacking. Yes, if done right, social hacking illustrates how “people will help you rob them, if you do it right!” The author then explains, “As for the people who helped me, it turned out they had never been given any training or education about these types of threats”
But what does robbing a bank have to do with starting a business? Well, for one thing, which business does not need security these days? From a local donut shop to high end consultancies to a charity that you care about: they all face risks in this ever more connected world. However, you also need to do some cost/benefit analysis. What’s the point of building a moat around your business if your clients can’t reach you?
Budgetary reality means that you have to consider “how much is it worth spending versus how much might be taken? Obviously, the safety of the public and customers must always come first….”
Locks, keys, windows, doors, alarms, safes, offices, combinations – they can all be penetrated. They can all be hacked. They can all be circumvented. But intelligent installations and proper training can help make life, assets, and information more secure.
People often believe you have to be paranoid to be secure but the reality is that if you have something, there is a good chance that someone else wants it. Don’t be ostentatious is probably a good place to start. There are over 70 chapters – each one with a story, a lesson, and many that will generate a smile of two.
My e-copy of the book was generously provided by Wiley’s ebook EULA.

Lino Matteo ©™
Twitter @Lino_Matteo
https://linomatteo.wordpress.com/2025...

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[Dean Ezra · Rating 2 out of 5]

So far I'm about 50% through this book and it occurs to me it is very much like watching those cable tv real life detective documentaries where the police detectivenens up admitting they only caught the criminal because the criminal got themselves caught.

Only in this case the 'white hat security consultant expert in this book repeatedly recounts stories of being able to break into clients buildings via doors being left open, does not closing properly or employees holding doors open for him to tail gate.

Add to this the many times he also says "I have done/seen many fun things, but due to confidential ndas I can tell you', and it makes a rather boring read so far.

Even a chapter about stealing a helicopter is basically hyped at beginning and then not as described.

This often left me thinking this is a book with a bait click title and very little actual content.

I only hope the rest of the book improves with less repetitive filler.

[Douglas Lohf · Rating 5 out of 5]

In How I Rob Banks_, Freakyclown, an elite penetration tester, takes readers on a heart-pounding journey as he exposes the glaring vulnerabilities in physical security systems of heavily guarded facilities. Throughout vivid anecdotes, he reveals fatal flaws in security culture, from overconfidence in perimeters to misplaced trust in expensive tech.

This book is both a thrilling cautionary tale and an invaluable masterclass in hardening defenses against relentless adversaries. Freakyclown's razor-sharp insights cut to the core of what it takes to fortify an organization, making this a wake-up call for security professionals and executives alike.

How I Rob Banks_ is a manifesto for radically rethinking security culture in an age of escalating threats. Its hard-won wisdom from real-world heists is essential reading for anyone serious about protecting assets and lives. Neglecting its lessons would be an act of negligence.

[Jay · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK, repeats a lot without actually telling you really much. I get it, you can yell me the clients name, or their location, or their business we all get it. Also a pretty boring read as each chapter is 2 pages and they are all just short stories where the author can't tell you how he got in but it was one of the techniques used in this book and of course where the client is or what their business is.... Maybe would be a bit more enjoyable if he didn't repeat those parts in each chapter. The pictures are really bad. The author says 'if you look closely' yeah right it is a black and white photo that looks like wad taken from a potato. Could have used color pictures.

[Christopher Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written with all the verve and anecdotal wit of a fourth grader, this book is the confessional of a corporate shill who protects power figures from little people, ensuring their doors are locked, servers stowed away, and security guards suitably thuggy. It's laughable, the entire schtick, from the edge-lord username as branding to the false pretense of serving society. You'll learn a few things about how to lie your way into buildings and how to disable certain alarms, but more than anything you'll cringe your way through these repetitive little tales told with the soporific tone of a over-medicated elder.

[WiseB · Rating 3 out of 5]

This a book of anecdotes based on the author's recount of his various infiltrations per clients' request into supposedly secured places, so as to uncover any vulnerable security design. He has recalled different social & physical methods, skills and tools being used that can be practised in general. A kind of good to know knowledge for anyone to be aware of activities relating to suspicious recon or attempt to breach security. Of course, there is always the negative view that bad actors can learn the same from reading the book.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A series of funny pentesting anecdotes highlighting the difference between how things are supposed to be vs how they are in real life. e.g. Successfully kidnap an on-duty security guard. Make off with enough furniture to build yourself an office. Beat a motion detector by moving veeeeeeery slowly. Walk into a loading bay, right off the street, and grab a bar of solid gold.

No deeper themes other than having a good time sharing crazy stories.

[Jordan Haglin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very entertaining book that provides a realistic set of ways vulnerabilities can be exploited. Everyone should read this, as it points out security isn’t just about lock-and-key physical features; rather, it employs the power of social engineering and a company culture that boils down to the individual’s daily habits. A strong security sense isn’t just for the guards, it’s for everyone.

[Steve Geekscorner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have followed the author on social media for sometime after hearing sn interview he was on previously and I find his work fascinating.

This book has shocked me at how some companies lack security training all together but it has also made me think about some of the security in my job role.

I highly recommend this book.

[Geoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book from a security perspective. There are many gems you can draw from on how to increase the security of your business and personal life. I would recommend it as an intro read for people wanting to be more security conscious in both their personal and professional lives. Well deserved 4+ stars.

[Federico Lucifredi · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazingly entertaining collection of physical security and social engineering anecdotes from a lifetime of break-in tests.

A really enjoyable read — and a great opportunity to learn about the side of Infosec that exists away from the keyboard.

[Cedric35 · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a collection of stories largely about physical security. More tailgating employees through doors than computer hacking.

Reads like someone telling stories in a bar vs a real book. Desperately in need of an editor.

[Scott Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book. I didn't think the author was going to give me a step by step playbook on being John Dillinger, but there was so much relevant info that he (probably understandably) left out. It was more of a collection of censored anecdotes than anything else.

[Daniel Farabaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting series of vinnettes about breaking into high security places and was written in an engaging style and format. The capers were all very interesting. Aside from a vague sense that all security is flawed, it failed to address a larger concern.

[Ben]

Liar and midwit smugly recounts pen testing adventures such as "walk straight in, unchallenged" or "wait for the security door to swing wide open by itself, which it does every 15 minutes". These stories would be rejected from Dora the Explorer as implausible.

[Andrew Waite · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good professional war story, and here FC tells (at least) 71 of them. With each chapter being short, it makes for a book the is very easy to pick up, and even harder to put down.

[Blair Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was fun! If you're unfamiliar with pentesting, both physical and logical, and social engineering, the abecdotes will suck you in.

[JustEvan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book with some excellent details, but way too much "I can't tell you that" which seems like a lot of bragging.

[Patrick G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and quick read!

[Mark Rader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book about security and how bad most of us are with it.

[Teagan Rockwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a relatively quick read full of amusing and funny anecdotes about the ways in which things that seem secure aren't so secure after all.

[Francis Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read for those interested in pen (penetration) testing.