I just finished the Google Cyber Security Course but it didn't teach me any skills. Where can I learn skills to start doing bug bounties?
That's great that you're interested in starting bug bounties and exploring the field of cybersecurity! While the Google Cyber Security Course may not have provided hands-on skills specifically for bug bounties, there are several resources available that can help you learn the necessary skills to get started. Here's a step-by-step guide:
1. Learn Web Application Security: Bug bounties often involve finding vulnerabilities in web applications. It's important to have a good understanding of common web security vulnerabilities, such as Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF), and SQL Injection. Resources like the OWASP Top 10 Project (owasp.org) provide valuable information on web application vulnerabilities.
2. Study Bug Bounty Platforms: Familiarize yourself with popular bug bounty platforms such as HackerOne, Bugcrowd, and Synack. Each platform has its own rules, guidelines, and reward programs. Visit their websites, read their documentation, and understand how their programs work.
3. Learn by Doing: To gain practical skills, it's essential to practice identifying vulnerabilities. You can set up your own lab environment using tools like DVWA (Damn Vulnerable Web Application) or WebGoat, which are intentionally vulnerable web applications designed for learning purposes. Additionally, platforms like PortSwigger's Web Security Academy provide free interactive labs to practice finding vulnerabilities.
4. Online Tutorials and Courses: There are numerous online courses and tutorials that focus on bug bounty hunting and web application security. Some popular resources include "Web Hacking 101" by Peter Yaworski, "The Web Application Hacker's Handbook" by Dafydd Stuttard and Marcus Pinto, and the "Bug Bounty Hunting Essentials" course by Pentester Academy.
5. Community and Forums: Engage with the bug bounty community to learn from experienced researchers and share knowledge. Platforms like HackerOne have forums where researchers can ask questions, share tips, and participate in discussions. The bug bounty subreddit (reddit.com/r/bugbounty) is also a valuable resource for learning from others in the field.
6. Capture the Flag (CTF) Challenges: Participating in Capture the Flag competitions can enhance your skills and expose you to real-world challenges. Websites like HackTheBox, TryHackMe, and OverTheWire offer CTF-style challenges that cover various aspects of cybersecurity.
Once you feel confident in your skills, you can create an account on HackerOne or other bug bounty platforms and start looking for vulnerabilities in the programs they host. Remember to always follow the rules and guidelines provided by each platform and respect the boundaries set by the program owners.
Best of luck in your bug bounty journey! Feel free to ask any more questions you may have.
This depends on your technical background. The majority of bug bounties are focused on finding technical vulnerabilities, and for that, you need to have a good level of technical knowledge. My suggestion would be that you start by learning about Penetration Testing, and then pick a technical topic where you want to specialise (web, database, etc).
