A Bug Bounty Hunter is a cybersecurity researcher who finds and reports security flaws in websites, apps, and systems in exchange for cash rewards (bounties) from companies like Google, Facebook, and Uber.
💰 How Bug Bounties Work
1. Target Selection – Choose a program (e.g., HackerOne, Bugcrowd).
2. Recon & Testing – Hunt for vulnerabilities (e.g., SQLi, XSS, RCE).
3. Submit a Report – Document the bug with PoC (Proof of Concept).
4. Get Paid – Rewards range from $50 to $500,000+ per bug.
🔥 Top Bug Bounty Platforms
| Platform | Popular Programs | Avg. Payout |
|-------------|---------------------|------------|
| HackerOne | Uber, Twitter, GitHub | $500–$20K |
| Bugcrowd | AWS, Tesla, Cisco | $300–$15K |
| Intigriti | European companies | $200–$10K |
| Open Bug Bounty | Non-profit sites | $0–$1K (mostly recognition) |
🛠️ Essential Tools for Bug Hunting
| Category | Tools |
|-------------|-----------------|
| Recon | Amass, Subfinder, Wayback Machine |
| Web Testing | Burp Suite, OWASP ZAP, Nuclei |
| Automation | Hakrawler, Gau, FFUF |
| Exploitation | SQLmap, XSS Hunter, Commix |
📌 Most Profitable Vulnerabilities
1. Remote Code Execution (RCE) ($5K–$100K)
2. SQL Injection (SQLi) ($1K–$15K)
3. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) ($500–$10K)
4. Business Logic Flaws ($1K–$50K)
5. Authentication Bypass ($2K–$20K)
🚀 How to Start?
1. Learn Web Security – Study OWASP Top 10.
2. Practice on Labs – PortSwigger Web Academy, Hack The Box.
3. Join a Platform – Sign up on HackerOne/Bugcrowd.
4. Start Small – Hunt for low-hanging fruit (XSS, IDOR).
5. Build Reputation – High-quality reports = private invites.
💡 Pro Tips for Success
✔ Read Program Scopes – Avoid out-of-bound testing.
✔ Write Clear Reports – Include steps, screenshots, video PoC.
✔ Stay Ethical – Never exploit without permission.
✔ Specialize – Focus on APIs, mobile apps, or cloud.
📈 Career Path
- Beginner: Find easy bugs (XSS, CSRF) → $1K–$5K/month.
- Intermediate: Discover RCE, SSRF → $10K–$50K/month.
- Advanced: Full-time hunter → $100K+/year.
Final Thoughts
Bug bounty hunting is lucrative but competitive. Success requires persistence, creativity, and deep security knowledge . Start with free training, then hunt responsibly!
Want a step-by-step guide to your first bounty? Ask below! 🚀
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