Data security is paramount in today’s digital space. We need to stay ahead in the game of digital surveillance and online threats, and build the right tools for you to stay safe online. Our mission doesn’t come without challenges, but it’s what emboldens us to push for more transparency, better network improvements, and superior VPN features. Last year, we had our server network and management system reviewed in an independent audit—for the second time. But we don’t plan on stopping here.
We’ve been in the cybersecurity industry for over a decade now. Our apps and features have changed over the years, but one thing has remained consistent: how much we value your feedback.
Your feedback is how we improved our service to become the industry-leading VPN it is today.
And we always tried making it easier to centralize your suggestions and criticisms. We first started with a vulnerability disclosure program, which allowed cybersecurity experts to report any potential security vulnerabilities, and then rolled out a bug bounty program to the wider public.
Not only will you be able to report bugs without any administrative overhead, but it will also enable us to reward you for your time and effort. There are 4 bounty scopes, and based on those, you can expect a reward of up to $1250 for your findings.
We’re looking forward to seeing your knowledge and skills in action.
Bug Bounty Program: All You Need to Know
If this is your first time hearing about a bug bounty program or you’d like to refresh your memory, let’s backtrack a bit. I’ll start with a short definition.
What Is a Bug Bounty Program?
Bug bounty programs allow security researchers to legally report vulnerabilities to a company or organization and, in turn, receive financial compensation. Basically, ethical hackers try to find bugs that permit unauthorized access to a company’s digital assets. This can include anything from apps and databases to servers and cloud accounts.
Afterwards, they submit their findings, often through a dedicated form. TechOps engineers use that information to patch any vulnerabilities and adjust security settings accordingly.
That said, bug bounty programs aren’t the best choice for every company. These programs are best suited for systems that already have a strong security foundation and effective vulnerability management processes in place. Think of bug bounties as another expert verification, not as a basic security feature.
Why CyberGhost VPN Introduced a Bug Bounty Program
We’ve always valued feedback from our Ghosties, and we’re proud to reward those who report vulnerabilities in our systems.
Our dedicated security team performs rigorous, scheduled checks to maintain the highest safety standards. But even with a solid testing methodology in place, it’s possible to overlook issues, especially when working within the same system every day. That’s why we welcome fresh eyes. If you spot a bug, we want to hear about it. Your perspective can help us stay sharp and keep improving.
We’ll use a ticketing system to allow you to submit your bug report and findings. Our security team will check all reports and analyze them for valid submissions.
Any Ghosties that have good knowledge of cryptographic failures, server-side request forgery, or any other security misconfiguration exploits can participate. We’re confident that our bug bounty program will help us receive strong security assurance from skilled independent testers and researchers.
The Benefits of a Bug Bounty Program
Bug bounty programs are nothing new. Major companies like Google, Microsoft, and Facebook have offered rewards for uncovering vulnerabilities for some time now. We feel CyberGhost VPN has reached the cybersecurity maturity that can benefit from bug bounties. Here’s why.
- We’re opening ourselves up to diverse cybersecurity talent who bring their own tools and methodologies to the table.
- We can define the scope of the bug bounty assets to optimize researchers’ time management.
- You can help us identify areas of weakness, and we can start deploying patches or extra security measures.
- We can reward your findings up to $1250.
How to Win the Bug Bounty Award
Keep in mind that not all bugs are eligible for our Bug Bounty Award. To win the award, you’ll have to submit one of the following security issues:
- Unauthorized access to a VPN server
- Remote code execution
- Vulnerabilities in our VPN servers that result in leaking user data
- Vulnerabilities in our VPN servers that allow traffic monitoring
- The first person to report a valid vulnerability will be entitled to the award.
Leave a comment