Advertisement
How do I get started with bug bounty hunting? How do I improve my skills?
These are some simple steps that every bug bounty hunter can use to get started and improve their skills:
Learn to make it; then break it!
A major chunk of the hacker's mindset consists of wanting to learn more. In order to really exploit issues and discover further potential vulnerabilities, hackers are encouraged to learn to build what they are targeting. By doing this, there is a greater likelihood that hacker will understand the component being targeted and where most issues appear. For example, when people ask me how to take over a sub-domain, I make sure they understand the Domain Name System (DNS) first and let them set up their own website to play around attempting to "claim" that domain.
Read books. Lots of books.
One way to get better is by reading fellow hunters' and hackers' write-ups. Follow /r/netsec and Twitter for fantastic write-ups ranging from a variety of security-related topics that will not only motivate you but help you improve. For a list of good books to read, please refer to "What books should I read?".
Join discussions and ask questions.
As you may be aware, the information security community is full of interesting discussions ranging from breaches to surveillance, and further. The bug bounty community consists of hunters, security analysts, and platform staff helping one and another get better at what they do. There are two very popular bug bounty forums: Bug Bounty Forum and Bug Bounty World.
Participate in open source projects; learn to code.
Go to https://github.com/explore or https://gitlab.com/explore/projects and pick a project to contribute to. By doing so you will improve your general coding and communication skills. On top of that, read https://learnpythonthehardway.org/ and https://linuxjourney.com/.
Help others. If you can teach it, you have mastered it.
Once you discover something new and believe others would benefit from learning about your discovery, publish a write-up about it. Not only will you help others, you will learn to really master the topic because you can actually explain it properly.
Smile when you get feedback and use it to your advantage.
The bug bounty community is full of people wanting to help others so do not be surprised if someone gives you some constructive feedback about your work. Learn from your mistakes and in doing so use it to your advantage. I have a little physical notebook where I keep track of the little things that I learnt during the day and the feedback that people gave me.
Learn to approach a target.
The first step when approaching a target is always going to be reconnaissance — preliminary gathering of information about the target. If the target is a web application, start by browsing around like a normal user and get to know the website's purpose. Then you can start enumerating endpoints such as sub-domains, ports and web paths.
A woodsman was once asked, "What would you do if you had just five minutes to chop down a tree?" He answered, "I would spend the first two and a half minutes sharpening my axe."
As you progress, you will start to notice patterns and find yourself refining your hunting methodology. You will probably also start automating a lot of the repetitive tasks.
These are some simple steps that every bug bounty hunter can use to get started and improve their skills:
Learn to make it; then break it!
A major chunk of the hacker's mindset consists of wanting to learn more. In order to really exploit issues and discover further potential vulnerabilities, hackers are encouraged to learn to build what they are targeting. By doing this, there is a greater likelihood that hacker will understand the component being targeted and where most issues appear. For example, when people ask me how to take over a sub-domain, I make sure they understand the Domain Name System (DNS) first and let them set up their own website to play around attempting to "claim" that domain.
Read books. Lots of books.
One way to get better is by reading fellow hunters' and hackers' write-ups. Follow /r/netsec and Twitter for fantastic write-ups ranging from a variety of security-related topics that will not only motivate you but help you improve. For a list of good books to read, please refer to "What books should I read?".
Join discussions and ask questions.
As you may be aware, the information security community is full of interesting discussions ranging from breaches to surveillance, and further. The bug bounty community consists of hunters, security analysts, and platform staff helping one and another get better at what they do. There are two very popular bug bounty forums: Bug Bounty Forum and Bug Bounty World.
Participate in open source projects; learn to code.
Go to https://github.com/explore or https://gitlab.com/explore/projects and pick a project to contribute to. By doing so you will improve your general coding and communication skills. On top of that, read https://learnpythonthehardway.org/ and https://linuxjourney.com/.
Help others. If you can teach it, you have mastered it.
Once you discover something new and believe others would benefit from learning about your discovery, publish a write-up about it. Not only will you help others, you will learn to really master the topic because you can actually explain it properly.
Smile when you get feedback and use it to your advantage.
The bug bounty community is full of people wanting to help others so do not be surprised if someone gives you some constructive feedback about your work. Learn from your mistakes and in doing so use it to your advantage. I have a little physical notebook where I keep track of the little things that I learnt during the day and the feedback that people gave me.
Learn to approach a target.
The first step when approaching a target is always going to be reconnaissance — preliminary gathering of information about the target. If the target is a web application, start by browsing around like a normal user and get to know the website's purpose. Then you can start enumerating endpoints such as sub-domains, ports and web paths.
A woodsman was once asked, "What would you do if you had just five minutes to chop down a tree?" He answered, "I would spend the first two and a half minutes sharpening my axe."
As you progress, you will start to notice patterns and find yourself refining your hunting methodology. You will probably also start automating a lot of the repetitive tasks.
Related posts
- Hacking Apps
- Hacking Tools Usb
- Pentest Tools For Windows
- Pentest Tools Online
- Hacker Tools Hardware
- Pentest Tools For Windows
- Tools For Hacker
- Hack Tools Download
- Pentest Tools Open Source
- Hacker Tools 2019
- Hack App
- Pentest Tools Android
- Hacking Tools
- Hacking App
- Hack Tools For Ubuntu
- Hacking Tools 2020
- Hacker Search Tools
- Install Pentest Tools Ubuntu
- Computer Hacker
- Hacker Tools For Mac
- Hackers Toolbox
- Pentest Tools Free
- Pentest Tools Bluekeep
- Pentest Automation Tools
- Physical Pentest Tools
- Hack Tool Apk
- Hacker Tools Free Download
- Hack Tools For Ubuntu
- Pentest Tools Android
- Hack Tools Github
- Tools For Hacker
- Pentest Tools Github
- Hacking Tools For Games
- Pentest Tools Online
- Hacker
- Bluetooth Hacking Tools Kali
- Hack Tools Online
- Hacks And Tools
- Pentest Tools Website
- Hack Tools
- Hacking Tools Name
- Hack Tools For Pc
- Hacking App
- Pentest Tools Review
- Hacking Tools For Windows
- Hacker Tools Online
- How To Install Pentest Tools In Ubuntu
- Hacking Tools For Kali Linux
- Hacking Tools Name
- Hacking Tools Windows
- Hacker Tools Apk
- Pentest Tools Online
- Hack Tool Apk
- New Hacker Tools
- Hacking Tools Online
- What Are Hacking Tools
- Usb Pentest Tools
- Pentest Tools For Mac
- Hacking Tools And Software
- Hacking Tools For Windows 7
- Hacking Tools Mac
- Pentest Tools Android
- Pentest Tools For Windows
- Hackers Toolbox
- How To Make Hacking Tools
- Pentest Tools Kali Linux
- Hacking App
- Pentest Tools Free
- Hacker Tools For Mac
- Hacking Tools Hardware
- Hacking Tools Windows 10
- Hack Tools
- Pentest Tools Framework
- Wifi Hacker Tools For Windows
- Hacking Tools For Windows 7
- Hacking Tools For Beginners
- Hacker Tools Free Download
- What Are Hacking Tools
- Hacker Tools Online
- Hack App
- New Hack Tools
- Hacker Tools Apk Download
- Hacker Tools Apk Download
- Pentest Tools Free
- Hacking Tools For Games
- What Is Hacking Tools
- Pentest Tools Open Source
- Termux Hacking Tools 2019
- Hacking Tools Kit
- Hackers Toolbox
- Pentest Recon Tools
- Hacking Tools Free Download
- Hack Tools Pc
- Hack Tools
- Hacking Tools Usb
- Best Hacking Tools 2020
- Hackers Toolbox
- Hacker Tool Kit
- Hacking Tools Mac
- Hacker Tools For Ios
- Hacker Tools Free Download
- Hacker Tools Apk Download
- Hacking Tools For Beginners
- Hack Tools For Mac
- Hacking Apps
- Hacking Tools
- Hak5 Tools
- Hack Tools Mac
- Pentest Tools Framework
- Pentest Tools Url Fuzzer
- Pentest Tools Free
- Hacking App
- Growth Hacker Tools
- Github Hacking Tools
- Hacker Tools For Mac
- Pentest Tools Linux
- Hack App
- Underground Hacker Sites
- Pentest Tools Free
- Physical Pentest Tools
- Hacking Tools For Windows
- Underground Hacker Sites
- Hack Tools Mac
- Hack App
- Hacks And Tools
- Pentest Tools Github