Choosing the right bug bounty target: A hacker's guide

Finding the perfect bug bounty target can be overwhelming, especially for beginners. This guide combines the best insights that will help you pick a program that aligns with your skills and interests, maximizes your chances of finding vulnerabilities, and keeps you engaged.

Picking Your Platform:

Bug Bounty Platforms: There are several popular platforms like HackerOne and Bugcrowd that host bug bounty programs for various companies. These platforms offer a good starting point for finding programs.
Choosing Your Primary Platform: Consider factors like the platform's features (e.g., invite system, CTF challenges) and your location (e.g., European platforms for easier tax management). You can be active on multiple platforms but focus on building a strong profile on one or two.

Selecting a Program:

Know Your Interests: It's more enjoyable and effective to target programs for companies or products you're familiar with. This gives you a head start in understanding the application's functionalities and potential vulnerabilities.
Program Age: Newer programs are less likely to have been extensively tested, increasing your chances of discovering fresh bugs.
Company Scope: Look for programs with a large scope, meaning they allow testing on a wider range of the company's assets. This provides more opportunities for finding vulnerabilities.
Bounty Amount: While finding bugs is rewarding, it's also important to consider the time investment. Prioritize programs offering bounties that make your time worthwhile.
Program Responsiveness: Choose programs where the company actively communicates, triages reported bugs, and rewards valid vulnerabilities. Avoid unresponsive programs to prevent wasted effort.
Start with VDPs (Optional): Vulnerability Disclosure Programs (VDPs) are non-monetary programs that allow you to hone your skills in a less competitive environment. This is a great way to build your experience before diving into paid bug bounties.

Bonus Tips:

Follow Developers: Keep an eye on social media profiles of developers working for the target company. They might reveal insights about the technologies used, upcoming features, or even accidentally expose vulnerabilities in their code.
Stay Updated: The bug bounty landscape is constantly evolving. Keep yourself updated on the latest trends and techniques to stay ahead of the curve.

Remember:

Don't Be Afraid to Experiment: As you gain experience, you'll develop your own preferences for selecting targets. Don't be afraid to experiment with different programs and platforms to find what works best for you.
Continuous Learning: Bug bounty hunting is a continuous learning process. The more you practice and explore, the better you'll become at identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities.

By following these tips and tailoring them to your individual approach, you'll be well on your way to becoming a successful bug bounty hunter. Happy hunting!