Google is one of the most valuable brands in the world. One can just imagine the demanding security measures of such internet related products and services. This is why Google has the best security community from various countries around the globe to avoid any hack.
Interestingly, apart from independent attempts to hack Google Chrome, Google launched the Google Vulnerability Reward Program (VRP) in 2012. In this program, security research community is invoked once a year to find flaws in its security systems. The program is governed by certain rules, and rewards are granted accordingly.
All the domains owned by Google that contain users’ information such as Google, Youtube, and Blogger are open to the challenge. Similarly, there are separate rewards for reporting bugs in Google-owned services such as Chrome along with its extensions and Android that are known as Chrome Rewards and Android Rewards respectively. The rewards for reporting firebase issues are different from analytics issues. The program not only rewards with money but also with an honorary mention in Hall of Fame.
The program ranks its contenders on four criteria.
- Volume
- Severity
- Recency
- Charity
There have been some independent attempts as well. Here are some honorable mentions:
- In mid-December 2009, an intellectual theft was claimed by Google that originated from China.
- In September 2014, around 5 million Gmail usernames and passwords were leaked on a Russian Internet Forum.
Are you a high-level hacker? Here is your chance to prove your hacking skills!
