How to Get Your First Bug Bounty: A Beginner’s Guide

Bug bounty programs offer an exciting way for security enthusiasts and ethical hackers to earn money by identifying vulnerabilities in software and systems. If you’re just starting out, it may seem overwhelming — but with the right approach, you can land your first bounty and kickstart your journey into cybersecurity.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get your first bug bounty, from the necessary skills to the step-by-step process.

Step 1: Build the Right Skills

Before diving into bug bounty hunting, you need a solid foundation in cybersecurity. Here are the core skills that will help you succeed:

1. Web Application Security

• Learn how web apps work, focusing on vulnerabilities like XSS (Cross-Site Scripting), SQL Injection, and CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery).
• Tools to learn: Burp Suite, OWASP ZAP

1. Networking Basics

Understand TCP/IP, DNS, and HTTP protocols, as most vulnerabilities involve network communication.

1.Linux and Scripting

• Familiarity with Linux commands and basic scripting (Python, Bash) is essential for automating tasks.

1. Read the OWASP Top 10

• This is a list of the most critical web application security risks. Understanding these will help you spot vulnerabilities faster.