Effective Port Scanning for Finding Vulnerabilities in Bug Bounties

Introduction

Port scanning is an essential technique in the arsenal of bug bounty hunters. By probing a target for open ports, security researchers can identify running services and pinpoint potential vulnerabilities that may be exploitable. In the competitive world of bug bounties, knowing how to perform effective port scans can mean the difference between discovering valuable vulnerabilities and missing out.

In this article, we’ll dive into the specifics of port scanning, exploring various tools, techniques, and best practices to help you optimize your approach and maximize your success rate in bug bounty hunting.

Understanding Ports and Their Role in Security

Ports are numbered logical endpoints for network communication on a server or device. They allow for different types of services to coexist on a single IP address, each handling specific traffic types. For example:

• Port 80 is typically used for HTTP traffic.
• Port 443 is often reserved for HTTPS traffic.
• Port 22 is commonly used for SSH connections.

While ports facilitate essential network functions, open ports also create potential points of entry for…