How I Earned My First $100 in a Bug Bounty Program (And How You Can Too!)

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Let me take you on a journey — one where I turned my curiosity and a little technical know-how into my first $100. Bug bounty hunting isn’t just a side hustle; it’s a treasure hunt for the digital age, one where you find vulnerabilities, report them ethically, and get rewarded. But how does one even start?

Bug Bounty Hunting, Earning Credit

In this post, I’ll share my personal experience, break down the process, and show you why bug bounty programs are a golden opportunity for anyone interested in cybersecurity.

Imagine being a detective, but instead of solving crimes, you find security flaws in applications. Companies worldwide offer bug bounty programs to incentivize ethical hackers to identify vulnerabilities before malicious actors exploit them. And the rewards? They range from hundreds to even millions of dollars.

For me, it started with curiosity and ended with my first $100 — a milestone that marked the beginning of an exciting journey.

During my hunt, I identified an OTP Bypass vulnerability in a web application. This type of flaw allows attackers to bypass the One-Time Password (OTP) authentication process, potentially giving them unauthorized access to accounts.

Key Details:

Vulnerability Type: OTP BypassCVSS Score: 8.1 HIGHTools Used: Burp Suite

Let me walk you through the steps I followed:

Initiated Login
I began by logging into the application using a random mobile number.Entered a Random OTP
Any set of digits sufficed for testing purposes.Intercepted the Request Using Burp Suite
Burp Suite allowed me to capture and inspect the HTTP request generated by the OTP submission.Modified the ResponseChanged the status field from false to true.Altered the message to display “OTP verified successfully.”Forwarded the Modified Request
Once forwarded, the system granted access, bypassing the OTP verification entirely.

And there it was — the vulnerability exposed.

An OTP Bypass is not just a flaw; it’s a doorway for attackers to access user accounts, steal sensitive data, and even conduct financial fraud. The CVSS score of 8.1 underlines its high severity, making it a priority for companies to fix.

The unsung hero of this story is Burp Suite — a must-have for any budding bug bounty hunter. Its ability to intercept, modify, and analyze requests makes it invaluable for identifying web application vulnerabilities.

Ethics Come First
Always report vulnerabilities responsibly. Never exploit them for personal gain.The Power of CVSS
Understanding the CVSS scoring system helped me realize the severity of the vulnerabilities I discovered.Master Your Tools
Tools like Burp Suite aren’t just optional; they’re your secret weapons.Stay Curious
Each vulnerability uncovered is a lesson in itself, pushing you to learn more.

Earning $100 might not sound like much, but it’s a gateway to something bigger. Bug bounty programs have made millionaires out of those who stuck with it. Here’s what you could aim for:

Earning Potential:

Beginner hunters: $50–$2,000 per bug.Skilled professionals: $10,000+ for critical vulnerabilities.Record payout: $2 million in a single year!

Where to Start:

Platforms: HackerOne, Bugcrowd, Synack.Resources: Bugcrowd University, PortSwigger’s Web Security Academy.

Bug bounty hunting isn’t always glamorous. It takes patience, persistence, and a willingness to learn. Not every vulnerability you find will be valid, and sometimes you’ll hit dead ends. But every success, no matter how small, is a step toward mastery.

You Learn By Doing: Real-world vulnerabilities teach you skills no course can offer.It’s Open to All: You don’t need a degree — just curiosity and determination.It Pays Well: Even beginner-level hunters can earn decent money while helping secure the digital world.

Learn the Basics
Understand common vulnerabilities like XSS, SQL Injection, and OTP Bypass.Practice on Legal Platforms
Use platforms like Hack The Box or TryHackMe to hone your skills.Get Certified
Certifications like CEH or OSCP can add credibility to your profile.Be Patient
Success doesn’t come overnight, but persistence pays off.

If you’re intrigued by the world of bug bounties, there’s no better time to start than now. In my next post, I’ll share the TOP 100 Vulnerabilities Step-by-Step Guide Handbook and how they’ve helped me and others secure critical systems.

📌 Connect with Me on LinkedIn: Divyesh Jagad on LinkedIn
📌 Support My Work: Buy Me a Coffee

Bug bounty programs are more than just a way to earn money — they’re a gateway to learning, growth, and making the digital world safer. Ready to start your journey? 🚀

As a bonus for this post, I’m sharing the Endpoint Hardening Guide to help you enhance your cybersecurity practices.

Credits:
This document is authored by NINJA One and has been downloaded from www.ministryofsecurity.co.

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📌 Access the Full Document: Click here to get your copy.

Divyesh Jagad
Chief Information Security Officer

#CyberSecurity #BugBounty #EthicalHacking #BugBountyHunting #CareerGrowth

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