What is Open Bug Bounty?

The use of digital platforms is increasing day by day. While we use these platforms, many teams are working behind them.

This team shall take care of all kinds of security measures and ensures that possible risks are discovered on time. The human-powered testing model that handles and examines all kinds of security vulnerabilities 7/24 is called bug bounty.

With the bug bounty system, companies can learn their vulnerabilities and show their ecosystem that they care about the cyber security. On the other hand, users feel safer when they see the companies prefer public bug bounty. We can learn about both systemic and most recent vulnerabilities with the bug bounty method.

Open bug bounty program has a lot of benefits for companies. Companies want diverse resourceful teams to discover security vulnerabilities in return for rewards.

Bug bounty can also be called a program where companies ask for help from white-hat hackers, and give a reward in return for a well-documented successful attack. Bug bounty has its types. For example, open bug bounty is a public program where any security researcher can participate and is bounded with just the budget.

Researchers can make the details of the vulnerabilities public if the company gives consent – usually within 90 days of the vulnerability being submitted. Each bug bounty program has different set of rules, scopes and reward structures.

3 Types of Bug Bounties: Open Bug Bounty, Timed Bug Bounty, Mission Bounty

Cyber security testing challenges held by the platforms open to the participation of white-hat hackers to find bugs in a certain software, application and websites are called bug bounty programs.

Bug Bounty challenges have a clear purpose. These challenges allow companies to test the security of their software with hundreds of experts to eliminate the vulnerabilities before criminal hackers identify and exploit.

Many software developers or websites that really care about their secure operations run Bug Bounty programs. They work with ethical hackers to discover vulnerabilities in their systems. The reward may vary: mostly in cash and sometimes as gifts or recognition letters. The most known Bug bounty types are:

Open Bug Bounty: Open Bug Bounty is not bound to a time or researcher profile. It is open to public where anyone can contribute at any time.

Timed Bug Bounty: There is a determined timeframe and all testing shall take place during this time. As the opportunity window is short and the rewards are compelling, researchers show good interest in timed bug bounty programs. Such programs are best suited for software just before publishing.

Mission Bug Bounty: A specific task has been defined. The goal is to complete the tasks defined in the mission. Number of reports in a mission is usually limited.

What Are The Prerequisites For Bug Bounty?

First, a target is set and scopes are defined. Then the rule sets are mentioned: what is accepted and not accepted on the attack surfaces, what the researcher should and should not do, the software and domains within the scope of the bug bounty program should be determined.

The security vulnerabilities found should be reported to the platform using the reporting tools. It is also very significant that successful hackers with good intentions who can find security vulnerabilities form a strong community that serves the good of a secure internet.

Who Needs A Bug Bounty Program?

Required for any size of public or private organization that operates its business or services on internet, stores personal user data, process financials and keep confidential information. They need bug bounty programs to stay ahead of criminal hacker activities.

As BugBounter, we aim to provide you with the best service. Follow us to learn more about how to run your first bug bounty program and benefit from our flexible services. Connect with us today, and we will find the best, cost-effective bug bounty solution for your company today.