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Mastering Port Scanning for Bug Bounty Hunters
Introduction
In the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity, bug bounty hunting has emerged as a popular and lucrative career path for ethical hackers. Companies and organizations worldwide now offer rewards to hackers who identify and report vulnerabilities in their systems before malicious actors can exploit them. Bug bounty programs serve as a win-win solution: organizations get their systems secured, and hackers get paid for their skills and expertise.
One of the foundational techniques in bug bounty hunting is port scanning — an essential step in reconnaissance that helps uncover vulnerable services, applications, and systems. Understanding how to effectively conduct port scans can be the difference between identifying a critical vulnerability or missing an opportunity altogether.
In this blog, we will delve deep into the concept of port scanning and how bug bounty hunters can master this crucial skill. We’ll explore the different types of port scans, popular tools, best practices, and real-world scenarios where port scanning plays a pivotal role. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of how to utilize port scanning to find and report vulnerabilities in bug bounty programs.