Why Do Hackers Hack?
Bug bounty hunters are motivated only by cash, right? Think again. While financial incentives are one of the reasons hackers hack, they often have other motivations.
According to HackerOne’s 2019 Hacker Report, curiosity is an enduring quality across the hacker community, along with an affinity for high profile vulnerability disclosure programs (such as the U.S. Department of Defense, General Motors, Alibaba, Goldman Sachs, Toyota, IBM, and more) and a genuine desire to help the internet become more secure.
So, why do hackers hack?
The Infographic above is taken from the HackerOne’s 2019 Hacker Report
Hackers, according to HackerOne and I Am The Cavalry, are motivated on a non-financial level by their desire to learn. Primarily hacking as a way to learn and test the latest tips and techniques. For 13.5% of people surveyed, it’s also abut having fun, a positive note considering the high stakes the are inherent in the cyber security industry.
Because pentesters and ethical hackers really are having fun out there, many stated that performing bug bounty programs allows them to take their careers to the next level. In fact, we think it’s a great way to get some practical experience and gain confidence for your next (or first) job.
Because ethical hackers are fighting the good fight, many participate in bug bounties to defend the companies they like (9.9%), to do good in the world (9.3%), and simply to help others (8.3%).
We’d love to know, have you ever or do you currently participate in Bug Bounty programs? What are YOUR reasons? Let us know in the comments, so we can add them to the list.
Aspiring Bug Bounty Hunter? We can help you
If you’re an aspiring Bug Bounty hunter, we can help you become proficient in the accepted methodology and the most common network and web app penetration tools. In fact, our Penetration Testing Student (PTS) training course is the perfect way for (complete) beginners to learn the necessary skills to get started in this quickly growing field. Completing the training course will allow you to take the eLearnSecurity Junior Penetration Tester (eJPT) certification exam, which proves your skills in the fastest growing area of information security.
Not a beginner? Check out the Penetration Testing Professional (PTP) training course for more advanced tools and techniques to learn, and ultimately become an eLearnSecurity Certified Professional Penetration Tester (eCPPT).
Did you know? You can get a free PTS training course in Barebone Edition by registering with the Ethical Hacker Network, stay tuned with the latest articles from experts in various IT Security fields, and network with other professionals. Who knows? Your next business partner might be just around the corner!
If you’re interested in learning more about ethical hacking and how to train for a career in the cyber security industry, feel free to catch a replay of the last EH-Net Live! webinar with Jason Haddix, VP of Researcher Growth at Bugcrowd and Chloe Messdaghi, Security Researcher and Humanitarian Advocate in the InfoSec industry, to know more.
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Author: Marine D.
Patience, persistence, and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success. 😉
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