Reviewed by Essien Asian for Readers' Favorite

Tim O'Hearn was very young when he learned to bend the rules to benefit himself. What began as a casual habit of using cheat codes to get ahead in video games evolved into his becoming an essential player in the social media landscape. Tim harnessed his unique talents to give his clients an unfair advantage in the race for likes and influence on platforms like MySpace and Instagram. Tim's actions occasionally placed him on the wrong side of the law, prompting him to reconsider his choices. In Framed, he reveals the motivations of the unseen players driving the relentless quest for social media acceptance in ways you never imagined.

Tim O'Hearn breaks down the historical evolution of social media into stages that those unfamiliar with the technological aspects of the internet can quickly grasp. His detailed analysis of the use of APIs and algorithms, which explains how they transformed the landscape for developers seeking back doors into established social media platforms, is enlightening. He clarifies the technology and the terminology in extensive chapters, incorporating humor at strategic points in the narrative. Insightful readers will notice how he presents the pros and cons of every strategy employed to exploit the system from a legal perspective, enabling them to apply his insights in managing their social media accounts. O'Hearn offers a cybersecurity clinic alongside an engaging summary of his life. I learned a lot from Framed: A Villain's Perspective on Social Media and recommend it as a must-read for everyone with an online presence.