Clifford Stoll

Clifford Stoll (born 1950) is an American astronomer, computer security expert, and author. Trained in astronomy, he worked at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, where he became widely known for tracking a computer intruder who had penetrated U.S. research networks. Stoll recounted that investigation in his bestselling nonfiction book *The Cuckoo’s Egg* (1989), which helped bring early public attention to hacking and cybersecurity. He has also written books on computing and education, including *Silicon Snake Oil* (1995). Stoll is associated with Klein bottles and other hands-on mathematical demonstrations, and he has advocated for practical, experiential learning in science and technology.