Choosing Your First Program in Bug Bounties: A Beginner’s Guide

Hey geeks, it4chis3c (Twitter) comes up with another write-up in my Bug Bounty Hunting Series:

It4chis3c

Bug Bounty Hunting Series

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For a new learner the problem that arises is where to begin from. Here, I will explain what program you should target on your first bug bounty hunt and offer advice on how to improve your odds of success.

1. Tips for Choosing Your First Bug Bounty Program

Selecting the right program is key to your initial success. Here are the main criteria to consider:

A) Look for Beginner-Friendly Programs

Some bug bounty programs are known for being more accessible to beginners. These programs typically have:

• A wide scope.
• Publicly disclosed reports for learning.
• Relatively simple security measures compared to mature programs.

Recommended Beginner Programs

1. HackerOne’s Newbie-Friendly Programs:

• Look for programs with tags like “Beginner Friendly” or “Low Hanging Fruit.”
• Examples: Shopify, Uber (for recon-based vulnerabilities).

2. Bugcrowd

• Bugcrowd has several programs with easy-to-find bugs.
• Start with programs offering “Vulnerability Disclosure Programs (VDP)” where payouts may not be the focus, but they’re great for practice.

3. Synack Red Team (SRT)

• Synack offers a structured environment for beginners and real-world assets for practice.

4. Open Source Projects

• Programs like Google’s OSS-Fuzz or private projects on platforms like GitHub allow you to practice legally while improving software security.

b) Understand the Scope