The Apple Security Bounty Program offers a lucrative opportunity for skilled coders to earn significant rewards by demonstrating their ability to penetrate the security of iPhones. Launched in 2022, this program invites coding experts to test the robustness of Apple’s secure iPhone systems. The program aims to identify and address vulnerabilities within Apple’s products.
Cash prizes range from $5,000 (approximately ₹437,339) to a staggering $2 million (approximately ₹16 crore), as reported by Financial Express. The reward amounts vary based on the nature of the vulnerability discovered. For instance, individuals who successfully exploit a device via physical access could receive up to $250,000 (around ₹2.18 crore). Exploiting a device through a user-installed app can earn up to $150,000 (approximately ₹1.31 crore), while successful network attacks involving user interaction can yield up to $250,000 (approximately ₹2.18 crore).
Hackers who can achieve a zero-click attack without user interaction could be awarded $1 million (approximately ₹8.74 crore). The same amount is offered to hackers who successfully perform remote attacks in private cloud computing. The grand prize of $2 million (approximately ₹17.49 crore) awaits any hacker who manages to bypass the security of an iPhone in Lockdown Mode. This feature is designed to offer users an extra layer of security against digital threats.
The Apple Security Bounty Program covers Apple products, including iPhones, Watches, and Macs. However, vulnerabilities related to Apple Pay, phishing, or social engineering attacks are currently excluded. The program’s benefits are limited to Apple’s hardware and software, meaning that flaws found in third-party services are not covered under this program.
