Basics of Bug Bounty Hunting
Bug bounty hunting is a method for finding flaws and vulnerabilities in web applications; application vendors reward bounties, and so the bug bounty hunter can earn money in the process of doing so. Application vendors pay hackers to detect and identify vulnerabilities in their software, web applications, and mobile applications. Whether it's a small or a large organization, internal security teams require an external audit from other real-world hackers to test their applications for them. That is the reason they approach vulnerability coordination platforms to provide them with private contractors, also known as bug bounty hunters, to assist them in this regard.
How to become a bug bounty hunter
Interestingly, a bug hunter is the reporter who is rewarded for finding out the vulnerabilities in websites and software. No certification or qualification is required to become a bug bounty hunter, but the architecture of the application and the security issues in applications should be read thoroughly. Becoming a bug hunter is also not a matter of age, so get that out of the way.
To become a bug hunter, the crucial aspect is to learn about web application technologies and mobile application technologies. These are the things that will kick-start your career as a bug bounty hunter. Usually, if you form a team with a friend, it will help you bounce off ideas and work more closely with them in order to produce better reports and results Bug bounty hunting is considered to be a desirable skill nowadays, and it is the highest paid skill as well. A bug bounty hunter conventionally makes more than a software developer. It is advised to start small. Instead of finding and hitting large programs, start off with smaller programs and try to find vulnerabilities and bugs. When you are done with several little code and programs, then you may move on to some bigger programs. But do not jump over the software managing the entire company, despite some moderate sized software.
Starting bug bounty hunting When you are new or at a beginner level, then it is suggested not to try to hack the most public and common bugs. If you start off with hacking Microsoft, Google, Facebook, and other popular platforms, it is likely that you will end up frustrated because these sites are secure, as they have received and resolved many bug reports. Instead of targeting such sites, try to focus on the bounties that go ignored and unnoticed by other hackers and hunters.
Types of bug bounty program
Bug bounty programs come in two different types based on their participation perspectives. This division is based on the bug bounty hunter's statistics and their level of indulgence overall on a platform. There are two kinds of bug bounty program: public programs and private programs.
Reading books
There are many books available online to guide and help you in learning the basics and fundamentals of penetration testing and bug hunting. As bug bounties generally are about to comprise website targets, it is advised to start with website hacking and then move forward. It is essential to focus on the interesting and exciting area of hacking.
Practicing what you learned
At the time of learning, it is crucial that you understand and retain whatever you learn. Practice what you have learned in real time. Vulnerable applications and systems are great ways to test your skill set in virtual environments. This will also provide you with an estimate of what you are going to contribute in the real world.
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