Over the past year, Nepal has topped global searches for the term “bug bounty,” according to Google Trends data. The country reached the maximum search interest score of 100, indicating peak curiosity during this period. Egypt followed in second place with a score of 45, trailed by Bangladesh, Morocco, and others.
The buzz around bug bounties in Nepal intensified after an X user, ‘sw33tLie,’ posted about it on Sunday, sparking widespread discussion within the Nepali cybersecurity community. This surge reflects growing interest in cybersecurity and ethical hacking in the country.
A bug bounty is a program where companies or organizations reward individuals, often ethical hackers, for identifying security vulnerabilities (or bugs) in their software, websites, apps, or systems. This benefits companies by enhancing system security while providing ethical hackers with lucrative earning opportunities.
Cybersecurity researcher Naresh Lamgade notes that ethical hacking and bug bounties are gaining traction in Nepal, largely due to their income potential. “The perception that bug bounties are an easy way to earn money has fueled their popularity,” he explains. “With skills and execution, people are drawn to it.” He highlights that major companies like Google and Facebook offer platforms for reporting vulnerabilities, making it easier for researchers to connect with them. “You just need to find the bug and report it. If it’s valid, you get rewarded,” he adds.
Lamgade attributes the growing interest to media coverage of successful Nepali bug hunters and the visibility of their earnings, which piques curiosity. Despite Nepal’s small population, the high number of interested individuals has propelled the country to the top of global search rankings—a significant achievement.
Cybersecurity researcher Saugat Pokharel credits media coverage for amplifying interest. “Continuous and effective media reporting, compared to other countries, has driven curiosity,” he says. For IT students, bug bounties offer an appealing alternative to traditional fields like graphic design, video editing, or programming.
Researcher Bishal Shrestha also emphasizes the role of media in shifting perceptions. Previously, searches focused on hacking social media accounts, but now queries like “how to start bug bounty” or “how to launch a cybersecurity career” indicate a positive change. He points to milestones like Nepali researchers securing third place in the HackerOne Ambassador World Cup 2024 and a spot in Meta’s Hall of Fame 2024, highlighting the field’s contribution to earning foreign currency through IT services.
Can Bug Bounty Be a Career?
While bug bounties offer attractive earnings, Lamgade cautions that it’s not always straightforward. “People see the rewards but not the stress, time investment, or burnout when bugs aren’t found,” he says. “Sometimes, you might go a month without finding anything.” He explains that making bug bounties a full-time career is challenging due to the pressure and the need for unique, previously unreported vulnerabilities. If someone else reports the same bug first, it’s considered a duplicate, and no reward is given. “You need to be smart, adaptable, and quick,” he adds.
For newcomers, researchers advise building a strong foundation in how systems and technologies work before diving into bug bounties. “Rather than chasing money, treat it as a way to test and improve your skills,” Lamgade suggests.
Shrestha warns against testing vulnerabilities on unauthorized platforms, such as Nepal’s “.gov.np” websites or systems without bug bounty or vulnerability disclosure programs (VDPs), as this could lead to legal issues. Instead, he recommends learning through platforms like PortSwigger, TryHackMe, or HackTheBox, and studying disclosed reports on HackerOne. Legitimate platforms like HackerOne, Bugcrowd, and YesWeHack, as well as company-specific programs from Meta, Google, Microsoft, or Apple, offer rewards and opportunities to participate in live hacking events.
Pokharel sees bug bounties as a stepping stone to broader opportunities. “It’s a way to gain recognition, earn money, and showcase skills, which can lead to job offers,” he says. For students, it’s a viable part-time income source, offering a more rewarding alternative to traditional jobs like tutoring. He views bug bounties as a branch of cybersecurity, akin to capture-the-flag (CTF) competitions or exploit development, depending on individual interests.
Nepal’s enthusiasm for bug bounties underscores a growing passion for technology and cybersecurity among its youth. However, researchers stress that success in this field requires continuous learning, patience, proper knowledge, and awareness of legal boundaries.
