Ethical hackers, also known as white hat hackers, demonstrated their pivotal role in bolstering cybersecurity by identifying 835 vulnerabilities across 105 websites. This proactive effort not only ensured the security of various platforms but also yielded substantial earnings, totaling €417,000 ($450,000), through bug bounty programs.
Surfshark, a VPN service provider, conducted a study based on HackerOne’s bug bounty program data, revealing the significant impact of ethical hackers in fortifying online defenses. The report emphasized the importance of partnerships between security researchers and organizations in detecting and disclosing vulnerabilities effectively.
Among the findings, the US Department of Defense emerged as the entity with the most reported security vulnerabilities, accounting for 10% of all reports in 2023. Notably, vulnerabilities ranged from server misconfigurations to critical data breaches, underscoring the diverse nature of cyber threats faced by organizations.
Agneska Sablovskaja, head of Surfshark’s research team, stressed the necessity of collaboration between companies and ethical hackers to address software vulnerabilities comprehensively. As cyberattacks continue to evolve in sophistication, the role of ethical hacking in enhancing online security becomes increasingly vital.
Surfshark’s Cyber Security Lead, Aleksandr Valentij, highlighted the importance of promptly downloading software updates to mitigate the risks associated with public vulnerabilities. With the expansion of bug bounty programs, it is expected that more vulnerabilities will be uncovered, contributing to a safer online environment.
