Deadlytoaster
BANNED
- Nov 19, 2021
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Bug Bounty in 2026 — How to Get Paid Legally for Finding Vulnerabilities
Know your way around Burp Suite but don't know what to do with it? This is for you.
Where to actually sign up
Three platforms that pay real money and have real programs:
Filter for programs where scope says *.example.com — whole infrastructure, not just one landing page. More surface = more opportunities.
Start here, not on Google
Don't go after Google on day one. Hundreds of pros already checked every button. Go where there's less traffic.
Warmup: https://portswigger.net/web-security — Web Security Academy by the makers of Burp Suite. Free, with real labs. The workflow: finish SSRF lab → hunt for SSRF in real program. Repeat.
Minimum toolkit:
One trick that actually works
Before opening Burp — crawl the target's JavaScript files. Devs love leaving forgotten endpoints and hardcoded API keys in there.
Tool: https://github.com/GerbenJavado/LinkFinder — feed it a URL, pulls all paths from JS. Sometimes you find /api/v1/admin just sitting there, wide open. That's your report.
What it actually pays
Check https://hackerone.com/hacktivity — all disclosed reports with payout amounts visible:
Your first report will probably be $150 for an open redirect. But it's your first legitimate $150 and the feeling is different from anything else.
Know your way around Burp Suite but don't know what to do with it? This is for you.
Where to actually sign up
Three platforms that pay real money and have real programs:
- https://hackerone.com/opportunities/all — biggest database. Public programs open to everyone, private ones invite you after you build rep. Start public.
- https://bugcrowd.com/engagements — cleaner interface, good programs from mid-size companies, less competition than H1.
- https://app.intigriti.com/programs — European platform, reasonable scope, triagers who actually respond.
Filter for programs where scope says *.example.com — whole infrastructure, not just one landing page. More surface = more opportunities.
Start here, not on Google
Don't go after Google on day one. Hundreds of pros already checked every button. Go where there's less traffic.
Warmup: https://portswigger.net/web-security — Web Security Academy by the makers of Burp Suite. Free, with real labs. The workflow: finish SSRF lab → hunt for SSRF in real program. Repeat.
Minimum toolkit:
Code:
sudo apt install amass ffuf
# Burp Suite Community: portswigger.net/burp/communitydownloadBefore opening Burp — crawl the target's JavaScript files. Devs love leaving forgotten endpoints and hardcoded API keys in there.
Tool: https://github.com/GerbenJavado/LinkFinder — feed it a URL, pulls all paths from JS. Sometimes you find /api/v1/admin just sitting there, wide open. That's your report.
What it actually pays
Check https://hackerone.com/hacktivity — all disclosed reports with payout amounts visible:
- P4 (low): $50–150
- P2 (high): $1,000–10,000
- P1 (critical): $50,000+
Your first report will probably be $150 for an open redirect. But it's your first legitimate $150 and the feeling is different from anything else.
