Yes, you can make money in bug bounty programs. Bug bounty programs are initiatives offered by companies and organizations that reward individuals for finding security vulnerabilities in their software or systems. Rewards can range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars depending on the severity of the vulnerability found.

Some bug bounty hunters have made up to a full-time salary and received elite recognition. It can also be a great way to show real-world experience when you’re looking for a job, or can even help introduce you to folks on the security team inside an organization. Experienced bug-bounty hunters however recommend that the newcomer pursue bug hunting as a side hustle. Several public programs are dried up and the more lucrative programs are private, by invitation only.  

How to get started in bug bounty hunting?

To get started in bug bounty hunting, the first step is to get some experience under your belt. The best way to start learning is to join online hacking communities where people share information on new bugs and exploits.

For the bug bounty beginner, a good step forward in hunting bugs is learning how to code. It is not necessary but it helps. You can also read up on topics such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and cross-site request forgery (CSRF).

Once you’ve learned how to code and have a basic understanding of web application security, you can start looking for bug bounty programs that interest you. Some popular bug bounty programs include HackerOne, Bugcrowd and Synack. Contynuiti for researchers is an automation technology that helps new researchers move up the learning curve and hunt like the old-timers.

How to get invited to private bug bounty programs?

Private bug bounty programs are typically invite-only. To get invited to private bug bounty programs, you can start by submitting more valid reports on public bug bounty programs . Each time you submit a valid report, it provides the platform with more information about your skill set, securing your eligibility for more private invites in the future.