Summary
Bug hunting refers to the discovery of software errors or glitches, a pursuit that is becoming an increasingly popular career. Hackers are hired by different organizations to find and fix problems before they can cause significant harm or damage.
Key Facts
- Bug bounty hunting is a technology-focused career where experts find and fix software glitches or security vulnerabilities.
- Brandyn Murtagh is a successful full-time bug bounty hunter who became involved in this field from an early age.
- Internet company Netscape was the first to offer cash rewards, also known as "bounties," for finding software flaws back in the 1990s.
- Platforms such as Bugcrowd, HackerOne, and Intigriti connect tech-savvy hackers with companies who wish to have their software and systems tested for potential problems.
- These platforms allow the organization of live competitions in which the best bug hunters compete for significant financial rewards.
- One benefit for businesses using platforms like Bugcrowd is the extra set of "eyes" checking their software, often finding vulnerabilities that might otherwise have been missed.
- Since starting its bug bounty programme, surveillance equipment firm Axis Communications has discovered and corrected roughly 30 vulnerabilities, including one deemed very serious.
- The job can be lucrative, with the top earning bug bounty hunter on Bugcrowd collecting over $1.2m in a year.
- While there are millions of hackers registered on these platforms, only tens of thousands hunt for bugs on a regular-ish basis.
- With the advancement of AI, these bug bounty hunters now have greater opportunities to work on new tech projects.
