How To Stay Ahead of 99% of Bug Bounty Hunters

The bug bounty ecosystem has exploded in recent years, providing security researchers, ethical hackers, and cybersecurity enthusiasts with a legitimate way to earn money while contributing to internet safety. Platforms like HackerOne, Bugcrowd, and Synack connect bug bounty hunters to companies, allowing them to find and report security vulnerabilities in exchange for rewards. While this might sound like a lucrative career, the reality is that the competition is fierce. There are thousands of hunters worldwide, all competing for the same targets and rewards. So, how can you stay ahead of 99% of bug bounty hunters? This article dives into strategies, tips, and techniques that can help you rise above the competition and increase your chances of success.

1. Master the Basics (But Don’t Get Stuck There)

The foundation of becoming a great bug bounty hunter is understanding the basics of web application security. You’ll need to be familiar with common vulnerabilities like SQL injection (SQLi), Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF), and Remote Code Execution (RCE). However, the problem is that most bug bounty hunters stop here. To stay ahead, you need to master these concepts and quickly move beyond them.