Google has upped the bounty reward to fix bugs in its chrome browser to $15,000.
Google, the world's largest internet search company, is beefing up its efforts to find flaws in its Chrome browser. The Mountain View based internet titan announced Tuesday that it is offering three times the original maximum reward to those who find and report a bug in Chrome.
The move is to encourage the research community to dig deeper in uncovering vulnerabilities in Chrome.
Previously, Google paid a minimum of $500 and up to $5,000 for each bug reported based on importance of the find . But as the web giant has established a secure platform for its services, it is now a great challenge to uncover bugs in its software. So, Google is offering a better reward for those who pitch in extra effort to help Google further improve its service.
In an official Online Security Blog , Google confirmed that the new reward pricing range will go up to $15,000, based on the type of bug.
"We understand that our cash reward amounts can be less than these alternatives, but we offer you public acknowledgement of your skills and how awesome you are, a quick fix and an opportunity to openly blog/talk/present on your amazing work," Google Chrome's hacker philanthropist Tim Willis wrote. "Also, you'll never have to be concerned that your bugs were used by shady people for unknown purposes."
To ensure the reward recipients get acknowledged for their work, Google has a Google Hall Of Fame, where all successful submissions will be listed in order. This will be immortalized forever and can be worn as a badge of honor.
Google's is known to go beyond the set limit reward if the bug found deserves extra encouragement and pat. In one such case last month, Google awarded $30,000 for discovering a combination of bugs.
So far, Google has awarded more than $1.25 million through its bug reward program and squashed over 700 Chrome security bugs. Facebook has also found great support from different sets of eyes in spotting security bugs that can affect their service and brand. These programs also help giants like Google and Facebook in uncovering new bugs without going on a hiring spree for security analysts.
