Bounties paid to ethical hackers around the world have exceeded $25 million, with over $3 million going to hackers in India, according to the 2018 Hacker Report from HackerOne. This lucrative field has proven to be life-changing for many, including Shubham Gupta, a talented hacker who has made a name for himself on HackerOne.
Shubham Gupta, ranking in the 96th percentile for signal, has successfully secured brands such as Ubiquiti Networks, Twitter, and Slack. Despite facing initial skepticism from his family and community, he has persevered and found success in the world of ethical hacking. With the money he has earned through bug bounties, Shubham has been able to purchase a flat in New Delhi, invest in household gadgets, and cover his day-to-day expenses.
Growing up in a challenging environment, Shubham’s journey into hacking has not only transformed his own life but has also opened up career opportunities for him. Without a formal degree, he has managed to secure a job as a Security Analyst at Broctagon Fintech Group. Hacking has become more than just a skill for Shubham – it is a passion that fuels his day-to-day activities.
When selecting programs to work on, Shubham focuses on the rewards and response time offered by companies. He particularly appreciates when companies reward hackers for validated bugs before they are resolved, as it keeps him motivated to continue his work. His favorite types of bugs to hunt for include IDOR, XSS, CSRF, and logical flaws.
One of Shubham’s most memorable hacking moments was when he earned $22,000 from a private program after discovering a blind XSS vulnerability that led him to an Admin account. He looks up to fellow hackers like @prakharprasad and attends hacking conferences in India to stay connected with the community.
For aspiring hackers, Shubham advises patience, passion, and a willingness to learn from others in the field. He emphasizes the importance of staying focused and utilizing social platforms to network and gain knowledge from peers. His goal for 2018 is to continue learning and improving his hacking skills, with hopes of attending prestigious conferences like DEFCON and BLACK HAT.
Despite his success, Shubham remains grounded and values the support he has received from the hacking community. He treasures his HackerOne Sweatshirt as the best piece of swag he has ever received, symbolizing his dedication to ethical hacking.
Through HackerOne’s platform, ethical hackers like Shubham have the opportunity to showcase their skills, earn rewards, and contribute to the security of organizations worldwide. As the #1 hacker-powered security platform, HackerOne continues to lead the way in promoting responsible disclosure and vulnerability testing. To learn more about their security testing solutions, visit their website and sign up to start your own bug-hunting journey today.