Getting Started with Bug Bounty: Resources and Tools for Aspiring Ethical Hackers

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2025-02-10

Bug bounty programs are a lucrative way for cybersecurity enthusiasts to earn money by identifying vulnerabilities in software and web applications. To help you get started, here are some recommended resources and tools from Ben Sadeghipour (NahamSec), a renowned ethical hacker.

Recommended Resources

1. Web Security Academy (BurpSuite)

  • URL: Web Security Academy
  • BurpSuite is a powerful tool for web application security testing. The Web Security Academy provides hands-on labs and tutorials to help you master its features.

2. Rana Khalil Academy

  • URL: Rana Khalil Academy
  • This academy offers in-depth courses on web application penetration testing, focusing on practical skills.

3. Ben Sadeghipour (NahamSec) Training Course

  • URL: NahamSec Training
  • A comprehensive course by NahamSec himself, covering advanced bug bounty techniques and methodologies.

4. Google Cyber Security Certificate

5. INE eJPT (Beginner Penetration Testing)

  • URL: INE eJPT
  • A certification course for beginners in penetration testing.

6. INE eWPT (Web Application Penetration Testing)

  • URL: INE eWPT
  • Focuses on web application penetration testing, a critical skill for bug bounty hunters.

Essential Tools and Commands

Here are some practical tools and Linux commands to get you started:

1. Install BurpSuite

sudo apt update
sudo apt install burpsuite

2. Nmap for Network Scanning

sudo apt install nmap
nmap -sV target.com

3. Dirb for Directory Brute-Forcing

sudo apt install dirb
dirb http://target.com

4. Nikto for Web Server Scanning

sudo apt install nikto
nikto -h http://target.com

5. SQLMap for SQL Injection Testing

sudo apt install sqlmap
sqlmap -u http://target.com/page?id=1

6. Metasploit Framework

sudo apt install metasploit-framework
msfconsole

What Undercode Say

Bug bounty hunting is a rewarding field that combines technical skills with problem-solving. To succeed, you need a strong foundation in cybersecurity concepts and hands-on experience with tools like BurpSuite, Nmap, and SQLMap. Start by exploring the resources mentioned above, and practice regularly on platforms like Hack The Box or TryHackMe. Remember, persistence and continuous learning are key. Below are some additional Linux commands and tools to enhance your skills:

1. Wfuzz for Web Application Fuzzing

sudo apt install wfuzz
wfuzz -c -z file,wordlist.txt http://target.com/FUZZ

2. Gobuster for Directory/File Enumeration

sudo apt install gobuster
gobuster dir -u http://target.com -w /path/to/wordlist.txt

3. Hydra for Brute-Force Attacks

sudo apt install hydra
hydra -l admin -P /path/to/passwords.txt target.com http-post-form "/login:username=^USER^&password=^PASS^:F=incorrect"

4. John the Ripper for Password Cracking

sudo apt install john
john --wordlist=/path/to/wordlist.txt /path/to/hashfile

5. Tcpdump for Network Traffic Analysis

sudo apt install tcpdump
sudo tcpdump -i eth0 -w capture.pcap

6. Wireshark for Packet Analysis

sudo apt install wireshark
wireshark

7. SSH for Remote Access

ssh [email protected]

8. Curl for HTTP Requests

curl -X GET http://target.com

9. Netcat for Network Troubleshooting

sudo apt install netcat
nc -zv target.com 80

10. Grep for Searching Files

grep "keyword" /path/to/file

By mastering these tools and commands, you’ll be well-equipped to start your bug bounty journey. Remember to always practice ethically and within legal boundaries. Happy hacking!

Additional URLs for Practice:

Keep learning, keep hacking, and stay curious!

References:

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