Bug Bounty Learning Resources

What You'll Learn Here

Whether you're new to bug bounty hunting or an advanced pentester looking to sharpen your skills, this resource hub compiles high-value content to guide your learning journey. We've categorized top books, courses, platforms, blogs, and real-world challenges that help build hands-on skills.

📘 Books

Web Hacking 101 – Peter Yaworski
A beginner-friendly intro with real bug bounty reports.
The Web Application Hacker's Handbook – Dafydd Stuttard, Marcus Pinto
A definitive guide to web app security testing.
Real-World Bug Hunting – Peter Yaworski
Case studies from programs like HackerOne and Bugcrowd.
Black Hat Python – Justin Seitz
For creating your own offensive tools.
Linux Basics for Hackers – OccupyTheWeb
Foundational Linux skills every bug hunter needs.

🎓 Online Courses & Labs

PortSwigger Academy – Free, interactive web security labs.
TryHackMe – Gamified learning paths (Beginner to Advanced).
HTB Academy – In-depth cybersecurity curriculum with practical labs.
Bugcrowd University – Tutorials and walkthroughs for bounty hunters.
Udemy: Bug Bounty Web Hacking – Affordable intro to bug bounty methodologies.

🧠 Blogs & YouTube Channels

LiveOverflow – Reverse engineering & CTFs explained clearly.
NahamSec – Blog, Twitch, and YouTube focused on bug bounty tactics.
HackerOne Blog – Learn from disclosed reports and expert insights.
0xPatrik – Practical guides on recon and automation.
InfoSec Writeups (on Medium) – Community-based hacking tutorials.

⚔️ CTF & Practice Platforms

CTFTime – Track and participate in global CTF events.
picoCTF – Beginner-friendly CTF developed by Carnegie Mellon.
Root-Me – Web, cryptography, reverse engineering, and more.
W3Challs – Focus on realistic web vulnerabilities.
VulnHub – Downloadable vulnerable machines for local testing.

🔧 Recon & Automation Tools to Master

amass – Passive/active subdomain enumeration
Sublist3r – Fast subdomain enumeration tool
ffuf – Blazing fast web fuzzer
nmap – Network mapper and port scanner
Burp Suite – The ultimate web proxy for bug bounty testing

💡 Pro Tips for Bug Bounty Hunters

Always read a program's scope and rules carefully.
Focus on automation for recon, but manual validation is key.
Report with clear, reproducible steps and potential impact.
Use password managers, VPNs, and note-taking tools to stay organized and secure.
Join communities like HackerOne Discord or /r/bugbounty for support.