So, You Want to get into Bug Hunting?

What is Bug Hunting?

Bug bounty hunting is a unique career in cybersecurity that allows individuals to identify vulnerabilities in software and systems, report them, and receive rewards. With the increasing reliance on digital systems, companies are investing heavily in cybersecurity, and bug bounty hunters play a critical role in identifying potential weaknesses. This article will guide you through the steps required to become a bug bounty hunter, including where to start learning, when you’re ready to hunt, potential earnings, forums to join, and useful qualifications for your career.

Where to Start Learning

To become a bug bounty hunter, you must first gain a strong foundation in cybersecurity principles. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get started:

Learn the Basics of Cybersecurity

Familiarity with core cybersecurity concepts is critical. Start with basic topics such as:

• Networking (understand protocols like TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP, etc.)
• Operating Systems (especially Linux and Windows)
• Web Technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, SQL)

Recommended resources:

• Books: The Web Application Hacker’s Handbook by Dafydd Stuttard and Marcus Pinto
• Online Courses:
  • Cybrary – offers a variety of free and paid cybersecurity courses
  • Udemy – “Web Hacking for Beginners”
  • Hack The Box Academy

Develop Your Hacking Skills

Once you understand the basics, it’s time to delve into more specialised areas:

• Web Application Security: Learn about common vulnerabilities like SQL Injection, Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), and Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF).
• Penetration Testing: Understand how penetration tests work, as bug bounty hunting relies heavily on ethical hacking techniques.

Key websites:

• OWASP – The Open Web Application Security Project is an excellent resource for learning about web security.
• PortSwigger Web Security Academy – Free labs to practise on common web vulnerabilities.

Practice on Vulnerability Labs

Practical experience is essential to sharpen your skills. Before hunting for real-world bugs, practise on platforms that offer vulnerable environments:

• Hack The Box: A platform where you can practise penetration testing legally on intentionally vulnerable systems.
• TryHackMe: Another great learning platform that provides hands-on cybersecurity exercises.

When Are You Ready to Start Bug Hunting?

It can take several months to years of learning before you are ready to start bug hunting. Here are some indicators that you’re prepared:

• You can identify and exploit common web vulnerabilities (such as XSS, SQLi, and CSRF) on practise platforms.
• You’ve completed several Capture The Flag (CTF) challenges and scored well.
• You’re comfortable using penetration testing tools like Burp Suite, OWASP ZAP, and Metasploit.

Once you reach this point, you can sign up for bug bounty platforms and start participating in live programmes.

How Much Can You Earn as a Bug Bounty Hunter?

Earnings in the United Kingdom

In the UK, bug bounty hunters can earn a substantial income depending on their skill level. While starting hunters may earn small rewards, experienced bug hunters who find critical vulnerabilities can earn a significant amount.

Typical earnings:

• Entry-level hunters: £50 to £500 per bug
• Experienced hunters: £500 to £5,000 per bug
• Top-level hunters: £10,000+ per critical bug

Annual earnings vary widely, but experienced hunters can make between £30,000 to £100,000 per year or more if they dedicate significant time to bounty programmes.

Worldwide Earnings

Globally, top-tier hunters have reported earnings of over $300,000 per year. Platforms like HackerOne have disclosed that some elite hunters have earned over $1 million in total bounties. Your income potential increases as you gain experience, identify more critical vulnerabilities, and participate in programmes from companies offering high rewards.

Best Bug Bounty Platforms and Forums to Start

Several platforms and communities provide bug bounty programmes. Signing up for these allows you to participate in live bug hunting programmes and report vulnerabilities.

Bug Bounty Platforms

• HackerOne: One of the largest bug bounty platforms, with programmes from major companies like Twitter, Uber, and Shopify.
• Bugcrowd: Another leading platform that offers bounties for finding bugs in web applications, mobile apps, and IoT devices.
• Synack Red Team: A private bug bounty platform that requires an application process but offers high rewards.
• Intigriti: A European platform that connects ethical hackers with companies looking for security vulnerabilities.

Online Communities and Forums

Joining cybersecurity forums will help you stay updated on the latest trends and techniques, and connect with other hunters.

• Reddit’s /r/NetSec: A great place to discuss security topics and share knowledge.
• Bug Bounty Forum: Dedicated to bug hunters, offering advice, tools, and discussions about bounty programmes.
• Null Byte (on Hackersploit): Offers tutorials, discussions, and advice for hackers and security enthusiasts.

Developing Your Skills Further

To continue improving, it’s important to keep refining your skills:

• Stay Updated on New Vulnerabilities: Follow industry news and read vulnerability disclosure reports to understand the latest threats and techniques.
• Participate in CTF Competitions: These challenges simulate real-world hacking scenarios, helping you stay sharp.
• Build Your Personal Lab: Use platforms like VirtualBox and Kali Linux to create a home environment for practising attacks and defences.
• Contribute to Open Source Security Tools: Engaging with open-source security projects helps you build reputation and learn new things.

7. Official Qualifications to Assist Your Career

While bug hunting doesn’t necessarily require formal qualifications, some certifications can help:

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH): A widely recognised certification for ethical hackers. It covers a broad range of penetration testing techniques.
• Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP): A more technical certification focused on hands-on hacking and penetration testing.
• CompTIA Security+: A good foundational certification for IT security professionals.
• CREST Registered Tester (CRT): A UK-focused certification that proves your ability to conduct security assessments and penetration tests.

While these certifications are not mandatory, they add credibility to your CV and can be beneficial when negotiating rates with clients or joining private bug bounty platforms.

There is No Time Like Today

Becoming a successful bug bounty hunter requires a blend of theoretical knowledge, hands-on experience, and a continuous drive to learn. Start by mastering cybersecurity fundamentals, then move on to more advanced hacking techniques. Utilise practise labs and platforms like HackerOne or Bugcrowd to build your experience. While earnings can vary, dedicated hunters can earn significant sums, especially with time and experience. Finally, obtaining cybersecurity certifications can further bolster your credentials, making you a stronger candidate for bug bounty programmes and cybersecurity roles.

My final advice to you, let us know that you’re starting your journey and comment below about where you’ll focus your efforts; then, close down this website and get going.

Best of luck to you!