Bug Bounty Beginner’s Roadmap

Welcome to the Bug Bounty Beginner’s Roadmap: Your Ultimate Guide to Success!

Hello guys , Ghanshyam Here ! I’m thrilled to be part of this initiative to guide young and enthusiastic minds in starting their careers in bug bounties. The bug bounty landscape has evolved significantly in recent years, with increased automation and competition. To succeed in bug bounties, you’ll need determination, consistency, and focus.

Let’s begin with some important concepts:

Bug: A bug refers to a security vulnerability or weakness in the code or hardware components of software systems. Exploiting these bugs can lead to negative impacts on confidentiality, integrity, or availability.

Bug Bounty: A bug bounty program is an initiative by IT companies to encourage individuals to find and report bugs in their software products. It involves offering rewards, such as money, subscriptions, vouchers, or swag items, to those who discover and report valid bugs.

Reward: Bug bounty rewards vary based on the severity of the reported issue and the cost to fix it. Rewards can range from monetary compensation, ranging from $50 to $50,000 or more, to non-monetary rewards like premium subscriptions, discount coupons, gift vouchers, or branded merchandise.

Technical Skills to Learn:

1. Computer Fundamentals: Gain a solid understanding of computer hardware, software, storage devices, memory, CPUs, motherboards, networking, operating systems, and programming languages. Consider resources like CompTIA A+ certification, online tutorials, and courses.
2. Computer Networking: Learn about computer networks, protocols, network security, and network troubleshooting. Explore online courses and tutorials that cover topics like TCP/IP, DNS, routing, firewalls, and network architecture.
3. Operating Systems: Familiarize yourself with operating system concepts, functionalities, and command-line interfaces. Study operating system internals, file systems, processes, and memory management. Online courses and tutorials can help you learn about various operating systems, such as Linux and Windows.
4. Programming: Acquire programming skills in languages like C, Python, JavaScript, or PHP. Focus on understanding the fundamentals of programming, data structures, algorithms, and secure coding practices.

Recommended Learning Resources:

1. Books: Read books like “Web Application Hacker’s Handbook,” “Real-World Bug Hunting,” “Bug Bounty Hunting Essentials,” “Bug Bounty Bootcamp,” “Hands-On Bug Hunting for Penetration Testers,” “The Hacker Playbook 3,” and the OWASP Testing Guide.
2. Writeups: Explore platforms like Medium, Infosec Writeups, HackerOne Hacktivity, Google VRP Writeups, and Bugcrowd for detailed bug bounty writeups and insights.
3. Blogs and Articles: Follow security-focused blogs like Hacking Articles, Vickie Li Blogs, Bugcrowd Blogs, Intigriti Blogs, and PortSwigger Blog for informative content on bug hunting techniques, methodologies, and industry trends.
4. Forums: Engage in discussions and knowledge sharing on platforms like Reddit’s websecurity and netsec communities. Join the Bugcrowd Community Discord server for real-time interactions with other bug bounty hunters.
5. Official Websites: Visit websites like OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project), PortSwigger, and Cloudflare for comprehensive resources on web application security, testing, and scanning.
6. YouTube Channels: Subscribe to YouTube channels like Insider PHD, Stok, Bug Bounty Reports Explained, Vickie Li, Hacking Simplified, Pwn function, Farah Hawa, XSSRat, Zwink, Live Overflow, Spin The Hack, and Pratik Dabhi for video tutorials, demonstrations, and insights on bug bounty hunting and cybersecurity.

Practice, Practice, Practice!

1. CTF (Capture The Flag): Participate in CTF challenges on platforms like Hacker101, TryHackMe, OverTheWire, and PicoCTF to improve your practical skills in various security domains.
2. Bug Bounty Platforms: Sign up on bug bounty platforms like HackerOne, Bugcrowd, Synack, YesWeHack, and Open Bug Bounty to gain hands-on experience and start hunting for bugs in real-world applications.

Remember, the bug bounty journey requires patience, persistence, and a growth mindset. Continuously update your skills, stay informed about the latest vulnerabilities and attack techniques, and engage with the bug bounty community for support and knowledge sharing.

Good luck on your bug bounty journey ! Keep learning, keep exploring, and keep hunting those bugs!