What is the origin of the bounty? Learn its history!
Bug bounty programs are now a key part of the cybersecurity ecosystem, serving as a proactive barrier against vulnerabilities and malicious attacks. Global companies such as Google, Facebook, and Microsoft rely on this model to strengthen their digital defenses. However, the history of these programs is not as recent as it may seem.
In this article, we will explore the origin of the bounty concept, its evolution, and how this approach has become indispensable in today’s digital security landscape. Follow along!
What is a bounty?
The word "bounty" dates back to Old English and means "reward" or "prize." Historically, bounties were offered to encourage high-risk actions, such as the capture of criminals or the achievement of scientific advancements. During the 17th century, for example, governments used bounty hunters to capture pirates who threatened maritime trade. This model of financial incentives has always shared a common characteristic: solving complex problems by qualified individuals motivated by the reward.
The transition of this concept into the world of technology was a natural evolution as digital systems became more critical and complex. The same principles of reward for solving challenges were applied to identifying security flaws, giving rise to bug bounty programs.
Read also: Bug Bounty: What is it and why it’s important for cybersecurity
The origin of bug bounty programs
The idea of offering rewards for finding flaws in technological systems didn’t emerge recently. Since the early days of computing, pioneering initiatives have laid the groundwork for modern bug bounty programs.
1983: The pioneering Hunter & Ready
The first record of a bug bounty program dates back to 1983 when the American company Hunter & Ready sought to protect its real-time operating system, the Versatile Real-Time Executive (VRTX). The uniqueness of this program lay in the reward: those who identified vulnerabilities were given a Volkswagen Beetle (nicknamed a "bug" in English). This initiative marked the beginning of using structured incentives to enhance the security of technological systems, although the term "bug bounty" did not exist at this time and would not be recognized until 1995.
1995: Netscape and the modern bug bounty
The true milestone for modern bug bounty programs occurred in 1995 with Netscape Communications Corporation. Led by engineer Jarret Ridlinghafer, the company launched a program to identify flaws in the Netscape Navigator 2.0 Beta browser. Participants who discovered and reported security bugs were financially rewarded.
Though innovative, this practice did not immediately gain widespread popularity. The idea remained on the fringes until it was resurrected and refined in the following years by tech companies and specialized security intermediaries.
The evolution of bug bounty programs
In the 2000s, bug bounty programs gained traction with new approaches and the adoption by large companies. This period was marked by initiatives that expanded the concept and solidified crowdsourcing as a viable strategy for digital security.
2002: iDefense and the intermediary model
The revival of bug bounty programs took place in 2002 with the security company iDefense, which created an intermediary model. Security researchers would identify vulnerabilities in software and report them to iDefense, which acted as an intermediary between the researchers and software vendors. This model facilitated communication and ensured reward payments.
2004: Mozilla and the open-source security incentive
The Mozilla Foundation took an important step in 2004 by launching a bug bounty program for the Firefox browser. The foundation offered up to $500 for reporting critical security flaws. This program had a significant impact, consolidating crowdsourcing for digital security and setting a precedent for other open-source projects.
2007: Pwn2Own and the competition for rewards
In 2007, the Pwn2Own contest was launched during the CanSecWest conference by Dragos Ruiu. The competition challenged researchers to find flaws in Mac OS X in exchange for rewards, which started with a laptop and were increased to $10,000 by the Zero Day Initiative (ZDI). The success of the event demonstrated the potential of exploit contests and established Pwn2Own as a prominent annual event in the security community.
2010: Google's adoption and the explosion of bug bounties
In 2010, Google institutionalized bug bounty programs by launching them for its web apps and the Chromium project. The initiative was a success and inspired other tech giants, such as Facebook, which launched its Whitehat Program in 2011.
At this point, companies began to realize that collaborating with hackers was an effective and cost-efficient way to strengthen system security.
Bug bounty in Brazil: The arrival of BugHunt
In Brazil, the bug bounty scene started gaining traction in 2020 with the foundation of BugHunt, the country’s first platform dedicated to bug bounty programs. BugHunt’s arrival was strategic at a time when cyberattacks had drastically increased, placing Brazil as one of the countries most affected by ransomware.
BugHunt introduced two types of bug bounty programs adapted to the needs of Brazilian companies:
- Public Programs: Open to the entire hacker community, suitable for companies with higher security maturity.
- Private Programs: Limited to selected specialists, offering greater control and confidentiality for companies looking to gradually improve their security maturity.
In addition to Public and Private Programs, the platform also offers the VDP (Vulnerability Disclosure Program) and Objective-Based Programs.
The VDP allows researchers to report vulnerabilities in a structured and ethical manner, even without offering rewards, ensuring companies have a permanent channel to receive and address security flaws responsibly. Objective-Based Programs allow companies to focus tests on critical and specific areas of their applications, enabling a more targeted and effective approach.
This range of options broadens the possibilities for companies to protect their systems and provides specialists with more opportunities to apply their advanced techniques, thus strengthening the cybersecurity ecosystem in a collaborative and productive manner.
Why are bug bounty programs essential?
Bug bounty programs offer significant advantages for companies:
- Proactive identification of vulnerabilities before they are exploited by malicious actors.
- A diversity of approaches through collaboration with a broad network of hackers.
- Investing in bug bounties is often more economical than dealing with the consequences of a data breach.
- Compliance with regulations like the LGPD, helping to avoid legal penalties and protect the company's reputation.
The trajectory of bug bounty programs reflects the evolution of cybersecurity in an increasingly connected and vulnerable world. From the unusual rewards of Hunter & Ready to specialized platforms like BugHunt, the bounty concept has proven to be a valuable ally in the fight against cybercrime.
In addition to the technical benefits, it’s important to highlight that bug bounty programs foster a global network of security researchers. They expand access to professional practices and encourage specialists from diverse backgrounds to contribute to digital security. This not only strengthens the defenses of participating companies but also enhances digital security on a broader scale, promoting collective resilience against cyber threats.
However, implementing bug bounty programs goes beyond protecting corporate systems. It is a way to leverage distributed intelligence to create a safer and more robust digital environment.
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