Web2 vs Web3 Bug Bounty Explained Simply

🐞 Web2 vs Web3 Bug Bounty - What’s the Real Difference?
Bug bounty hunting is changing fast 🚀
Security researchers are no longer limited to testing websites and APIs only.
With Web3, blockchain, and smart contracts, the attack surface is much bigger and the rewards can be huge 💰

Let’s break down the real difference between Web2 and Web3 bug bounty in a simple and clear way 👇

🌐 Web2 Bug Bounty (Traditional Internet)​

Web2 bug bounty focuses on the classic internet infrastructure that we all use every day.

🔍 What Do You Test?​

• Websites & Web applications
• APIs & backend servers
• Mobile apps 📱
• Cloud services & infrastructure ☁️

🐛 Common Web2 Vulnerabilities​

• 🔓 SQL Injection (SQLi)
• 🔓 XSS (Cross-Site Scripting)
• 🔓 IDOR (Broken Access Control)
• 🔓 Authentication Bypass
• 🔓 SSRF & RCE

💡 Simple Example (IDOR)​

If a banking website lets you change: user_id=102 → user_id=103
and you can see another user’s data…

👉 That’s a Critical IDOR vulnerability 🚨

💥 Bug Impact​

• Sensitive data leaks
• Account takeover
• Full server compromise

🏆 Popular Web2 Bug Bounty Platforms​

• HackerOne
• Bugcrowd
• Intigriti

🎯 Skills You Need​

• Web security fundamentals
• API testing
• Business logic flaws

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🔗 Web3 Bug Bounty (Blockchain Era)​

Web3 bug bounty targets decentralized systems where bugs can directly cause real money loss 💸

🔍 What Do You Test?​

• Smart contracts
• DeFi protocols
• Crypto wallets 👛
• DApps
• Bridges & price oracles

⛓️ Common Web3 Vulnerabilities​

• Reentrancy attacks
• Integer overflow / underflow
• Flash loan attacks
• Price oracle manipulation
• Access control bugs

💡 Simple Example (Reentrancy)​

A DeFi lending contract allows multiple withdrawals before updating the balance.
👉 Attacker drains the protocol using a reentrancy loop 😱

🧪 Code Example (Vulnerable Solidity)​

function withdraw(uint amount) public {
    require(balances[msg.sender] >= amount);
    msg.sender.call{value: amount}("");
    balances[msg.sender] -= amount;
}

🚨 The balance update happens after sending ETH - perfect for a reentrancy attack.

💥 Bug Impact​

• Direct crypto loss 💰
• Protocol collapse
• Permanent on-chain damage (no rollback ❌)

🏆 Popular Web3 Bug Bounty Platforms​

• Immunefi
• HackerOne (Web3 programs)
• Code4rena

🎯 Skills You Need​

• Solidity & smart contract logic
• Blockchain fundamentals
• Deep understanding of DeFi mechanics

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⚔️ Web2 vs Web3 Bug Bounty - Quick Comparison​

Feature	Web2	Web3
Core Target	Websites & APIs	Smart Contracts
Languages	JS, PHP, Python	Solidity, Rust
Can You Patch Bugs?	✅ Yes	❌ No
Main Impact	Data loss	Direct money loss
Difficulty	Medium	High
Rewards	Good 💰	Very High 💰💰

🧠 Which One Should You Choose?​

• 🟢 Beginner? Start with Web2 Bug Bounty
• 🔵 Love crypto & complex logic? Go for Web3
• 🔥 Want big payouts? Web3 = high risk, high reward
• 🧩 Strong Web2 skills? Transition smoothly to Web3

🚀 Pro Tip for Bug Hunters​

Most top Web3 bug bounty hunters started with Web2 first.
👉 Strong web basics = bigger payouts later 💪

🔐 Learn More with Hack Training​

✔️ Bug bounty roadmaps
✔️ Real attack case studies
✔️ Web2 & Web3 security skills
Stay sharp. Hack smart 🧠⚔️