Your complete step-by-step guide to starting your bug bounty journey — from zero to your first paid vulnerability report.
Bug bounty programs allow ethical hackers to legally test companies' systems for vulnerabilities and earn cash rewards for responsibly disclosing what they find. Top hunters earn $100,000+ per year finding security flaws.
Start with networking basics (TCP/IP, HTTP, DNS), web technologies (HTML, JavaScript, SQL), and Linux command line. A solid foundation is essential before diving into offensive techniques.
Master the OWASP Top 10 web vulnerabilities: SQL Injection, XSS, CSRF, SSRF, XXE, Broken Auth, Security Misconfigurations, and more. These are the bread and butter of bug bounty hunting.
Create a safe practice environment using DVWA, HackTheBox, TryHackMe, or PortSwigger Web Security Academy. Never practice on live systems without permission.
Master the core tools used by bug bounty hunters: Burp Suite for intercepting requests, Nmap for reconnaissance, Gobuster for directory fuzzing, and SQLMap for SQL injection testing.
Learn thorough reconnaissance techniques: subdomain enumeration, finding exposed endpoints, searching for leaked credentials, and understanding the target's tech stack before attacking.
Start with beginner-friendly programs that have wide scope. Look for programs with Hall of Fame recognition, good response times, and clear rules of engagement. Avoid private programs initially.
A great vulnerability report is just as important as finding the bug. Include: clear title, severity rating, step-by-step reproduction steps, impact assessment, and suggested remediation.
Once comfortable with web bugs, specialize in a niche: mobile apps (iOS/Android), API security, cloud misconfigurations, or smart contracts. Specialists earn higher bounties on average.
Free hands-on web security labs from the makers of Burp Suite
Beginner-friendly rooms and learning paths for all skill levels
Advanced CTF-style challenges for intermediate and pro hunters
Official web security standards, guides, and Top 10 vulnerability list
Massive GitHub repo of payloads and bypass techniques for all vulns
Free visual guides covering all bug bounty techniques and workflows