Apple Calls Up iPhone And Mac Hackers For Invite-Only Bug Bounty Program

Ali Salman
iOS 10.2.1 Security

Apple wants to make its hardware and software secure at all cost and there's no better way to do it, but with the help of those who have cracked into those things in the past. With that said, Apple has reportedly reached out to a number of high profile Mac and iPhone hackers as part of its Bu Bounty Program. These members will in turn work to make the platforms secure of a potential vulnerability. Let's see some more details that follow down the road.

Apple Gathers Infamous Hackers For Its $200,000 Bug Bounty Program

Apple wants its platforms to be free of any exploits which could further be used for jailbreaking and malicious purposes. The team of hackers is expected to meet up at the Cupertino campus this month. These hackers will be rewarded with up to $200,000 for finding major potential exploits as part of the company's Bug Bounty Program. The hackers will work to secure bugs to make its software more secure.

There are a handful of popular hackers, many of whom belong to the jailbreak community, including the infamous Luca Todesco, the one who showcased a jailbroken iPhone 7, Nicholas Allegra and Patrick Wardle who previously found exploits in OS X in the past. Other popular names are reported to include Stefan Esser, Francisco Alonso, Pedro Vilaca, Steven De Franco (ih8sn0w) and Braden Thomas. Steven De Franco recently launched a 32-bit iBoot Patcher. There are other hackers part of the plan as well.

iOS 10 security bulletin

 

The individual hackers have been reportedly requested by Apple to keep the meeting a secret. The meeting is part of an invite system only so no third-party hacker or developer would have access to it. The report further indicates from unknown sources that Apple has selected individuals who have previously submitted vulnerability reports. Other than this, those who have gathered a lot of traction in the field have also been selected to be the very firsts in the Bug Bounty Program.

The aforementioned members along with a few others does not seem to be a big gathering. This is mainly because the company is centered towards focusing on quality over quantity. Moreover, Apple wants information on which an appropriate action can be applied with the least possible time. The company has tried to secure its software in the past, but issues continue to prevail. The $200,000 Bug Bounty Program from Apple is said to kick off before the end of September.

This is it for now, folks. What are your thoughts on Apple's Bug Bounty Program? Do you think the company can make its platform secure with the help of infamous hackers? Share what you feel like in the comments.

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