How to Choose the Right Bug Bounty Programs as a Beginner

Bug bounty hunting sounds exciting, doesn’t it? Finding security vulnerabilities, earning rewards, and making a name for yourself in the cybersecurity world — it all seems like a dream. But as a beginner, jumping into the bug bounty scene without proper direction can be overwhelming. The key to success lies in choosing the right programs to start with.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of selecting beginner-friendly bug bounty programs so that you don’t waste time on programs that are too competitive or complex. Let’s dive in!

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New to Bug Bounty Hunting? Before diving into this article, check out my previous posts:

My Bug Bounty Journey: How I Started Earning — Learn how I went from a beginner to making money with bug bounties.

The Easiest Bug finding for Beginners — Discover simple vulnerability that new hunters can find and report.

How a Simple Bug in Meta Earned Me $1,000 — My Bug Bounty Experience

How easy is to earn from bug bounties? — Income from bug bounty

Before selecting a program, you need to understand the different types available:

Public Bug Bounty Programs — Open to everyone, these are the most common programs found on platforms like HackerOne, Bugcrowd, and Intigriti.Private Bug Bounty Programs — Invitation-only programs for experienced hunters. These usually pay better but require prior reputation or referrals.Vulnerability Disclosure Programs (VDPs) — No cash rewards but a good place to practice without pressure. Many companies offer VDPs where you report issues for recognition.Capture the Flag (CTF) Challenges — While not exactly bug bounty programs, these can help sharpen your hacking skills in a competitive environment.

As a beginner, start with Public Bug Bounty Programs and VDPs to build experience.