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Bug Hunting: The Fun Way to Make Money and Learn About Cybersecurity!

Sahil Bugade (snip3rgg)
6 min readFeb 26, 2023

Intro? Maybe?

Have you ever heard of bug bounties? They’re rewards given to people who find and report security vulnerabilities in software. This is called bug hunting, and it’s a fun and challenging way to learn about cybersecurity while earning some extra cash. Bug hunting involves identifying security weaknesses in websites, mobile apps, or other software, and reporting them to the company responsible for the software. If the company confirms that the bug is valid, they’ll reward you with a bounty, which can range from a few dollars to thousands of dollars depending on the severity of the bug. Bug hunting is a great way to improve your skills, help companies improve their security, and earn some extra money on the side.

So I just gave my best on how you can use this technique to be one of your side hustles and generate a passive income as well as get to know about cybersecurity real-life use cases rather than some university syllabus theoretical shit haha (yes I hate them) and created a kind of introductory approach towards it, Thank me later ;)

A detailed checklist for each of the steps outlined:

Look beyond traditional platforms:

a. Start by searching on Google for bug bounty programs that are not hosted on traditional platforms like HackerOne or Bugcrowd.

  • Use search terms such as “bug bounty programs for emerging technologies” or “bug bounty programs for [specific technology or product]”
  • Explore different pages of search results to find lesser-known programs

b. Check out bug bounty aggregator websites like BountyFactory.io or Intigriti that collect and list bug bounty programs from various companies.

  • Search for programs that match your skills and interests
  • Take note of the requirements and rules for each program

c. Look for companies that don’t have a bug bounty program but might be interested in setting one up.

  • Use LinkedIn or other social media platforms to reach out to security professionals at these companies and suggest the idea.
  • Make sure to provide clear benefits and potential ROI to the company.

Focus on niche areas:

a. Identify a specific niche area you want to focus on, such as Internet of Things (IoT) devices or blockchain technology.

  • Research the market and identify products that are popular or emerging in the niche area
  • Take note of the common vulnerabilities and attack surfaces that exist in that area

b. Research the common vulnerabilities and attack surfaces that exist in that area.

  • Look for research papers, online forums, or blogs, or reach out to experts in the field for guidance
  • Use tools such as Shodan or Censys to identify devices and products that may be vulnerable

c. Try to find lesser-known devices or products within the niche area that other researchers have not widely tested.

  • Look for products or devices that are not as well-known as others in the niche area
  • Identify vendors or manufacturers that may not have robust security testing programs in place

Develop unique skills:

a. Identify a unique skill that you want to develop, such as reverse engineering or protocol analysis.

  • Research the skills and tools required to develop your expertise in the area
  • Take courses or attend workshops to develop your skills

b. Take courses or attend workshops to develop your skills in that area.

  • Use online resources such as Coursera or Udemy to find courses that match your interests
  • Look for in-person workshops or conferences where you can learn from experts

c. Try to find bug bounty programs that require those skills or where they may be useful.

  • Use platforms like Bugcrowd or HackerOne to search for programs that require your specific skillset
  • Look for programs that offer higher bounties for more advanced skills

Build relationships with companies:

a. Find companies that offer bug bounty programs that align with your skillset and interests.

  • Use platforms like Bugcrowd or HackerOne to find programs that match your skills and interests
  • Research the companies to ensure that they align with your values and interests

b. Report vulnerabilities consistently and with high quality.

  • Follow the rules and requirements of the program
  • Provide clear and detailed explanations of vulnerabilities found
  • Follow up with the company on a regular basis to ensure that the vulnerability has been addressed

c. Reach out to the security team at the company and express your interest in working with them more closely.

  • Use the company’s website or LinkedIn to find contact information for the security team
  • Provide clear evidence of your past bug-hunting success

Join private bug bounty communities:

a. Identify private bug bounty communities that you are interested in joining.

  • Research different private programs to find ones that align with your interests and skill
  • Look for communities that offer opportunities to collaborate with other researchers and learn from experts

b. Apply to join the communities that you have identified.

  • Follow the application process carefully and provide all required information
  • Make sure to highlight your relevant skills and experience

c. Participate actively in the community once you have been accepted.

  • Read through the community guidelines and rules to ensure that you understand how to participate
  • Engage with other researchers and contribute to the community by sharing your knowledge and experience

d. Use the community to identify new programs or opportunities.

  • Keep an eye out for announcements or discussion threads about new programs or bug-hunting opportunities
  • Use the community’s resources and expertise to improve your bug-hunting skills.

e. Leverage your participation in private bug bounty communities to build relationships with companies.

  • Use the connections you make in the community to introduce yourself to security teams at companies you are interested in working with
  • Share your expertise and experience with the community to build credibility and attract the attention of companies looking for bug hunters

f. Be patient and persistent in your bug-hunting efforts.

  • Bug hunting can be a challenging and competitive field, so it is important to remain patient and persistent in your efforts
  • Keep learning and improving your skills, and don’t be discouraged by rejections or slow progress

g. Stay up to date with the latest trends and technologies in the bug-hunting world.

  • Follow relevant blogs and online communities to stay informed about the latest vulnerabilities and attack methods
  • Attend conferences or meetups to learn from experts in the field

h. Continuously track your progress and refine your approach.

  • Keep track of your bug-hunting successes and failures to identify areas for improvement
  • Regularly reflect on your bug-hunting methodology and adjust it based on what has worked well and what hasn’t.

That’s a heck lot of things to read right? :) No issue here are a few reference videos and material you can refer to for each and every one I mentioned above:

Step 1: Learn the basics of bug hunting

Step 2: Identify the types of programs you want to target

Step 3: Set up your bug-hunting environment

Step 4: Research the target and identify vulnerabilities

Step 5: Participate in private bug bounty communities

Step 6: Build relationships with companies

Step 7: Stay up to date with the latest trends and technologies

Cybersecurity
Infosec
Bug Bounty
Hacking
Vulnerability

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Sahil Bugade (snip3rgg)

Written by Sahil Bugade (snip3rgg)

10 Followers

Security researcher | CTF Player/Developer | Bug Hunter | Pentester

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