How to Become a Successful Bug Hunter: A Deep-Dive Guide

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Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a bug hunter? No, I’m not talking about those who chase insects with nets and jars. I’m talking about those who hunt for bugs in software and systems, and get paid for it.

Photo by GuerrillaBuzz on Unsplash

Definitions

Bug hunters are people who find and report security vulnerabilities in applications or websites. They are like hackers, but with good intentions. They don’t exploit the bugs they find, but rather disclose them to the owners or developers of the affected products. In return, they get recognition and rewards, such as money, swag, or fame.

Bug hunting is not an easy job. It requires a lot of skills, patience, creativity, and curiosity. Bug hunters have to think like attackers, but also like defenders. They have to know how to use various tools and techniques to test for weaknesses and flaws. They also have to write clear and concise reports that explain how they found the bug, what impact it has, and how it can be fixed.

Challenges

Bug hunting can be fun and rewarding, but also challenging and frustrating. Sometimes bug hunters spend hours or days looking for bugs without finding anything. Sometimes they find bugs that are already known or not considered important by the owners or developers. Sometimes they face legal threats or ethical dilemmas.

But bug hunters are not deterred by these obstacles. They are driven by their passion for security and their desire to make the internet a safer place. They are always learning new things and improving their skills. They are part of a global community that shares knowledge and experiences.

Tips

If you want to become a bug hunter yourself, you can start by learning some basics of web security and hacking. You can also join some bug bounty programs that offer incentives for finding bugs in various products or services. You can find many resources online that can help you along your journey.

Here is a list of some tips for success being bug hunters and tools that may be used for it, based on the web search results:

Submit valuable and easy-to-understand bugs that have a high impact and severity¹.Earn and show respect to the companies and programs you report bugs to, and have a reasonable discussion about the bounty amount¹.Do your homework and learn the basics of web application security, protocols, and programming languages¹.Practice with a hacker buddy or challenge yourself with vulnerable programs¹.Use Bug Hunter University to access top tips, start your learning or brush up on your skills².Gather as much knowledge as possible from various channels and sources, such as social media, online articles, blogs, books, certifications, and courses³.Use tools that help you find vulnerabilities faster and easier, such as Burp Suite, Nmap, ZAP Proxy, SQLmap, Metasploit Framework etc.⁴

But remember: bug hunting is not a game. It is a serious activity that involves real risks and responsibilities. You have to follow some rules and guidelines when you hunt for bugs. You have to respect the privacy and property of others. You have to act responsibly and ethically.

And most importantly: you have to enjoy what you do!

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