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Google announces Pwnium 3

Bug bounty programs have achieved a significant amount of success by offering researchers and other interested parties financial incentives for reporting vulnerabilities. These programs are designed to counter the computer security vulnerability black market and quickly close gaps before they can be exploited. For example, Google's Chrome vulnerability program pays up to $20,000 for showcasing a remote-code execution exploit in its highly sensitive services, and Facebook's minimum reward for reported exploits such as authentication errors is $500.

In efforts to continue incentivizing bug reporting, Google announced it will host its third Pwnium contest on March 7. The company is offering a total of $3.14159 million in rewards for vulnerabilities found in Chrome OS, Chris Evans of the Google Chrome Security Team explained in a blog post. There are two major awards based on the severity of the threat identified: $110,000 for a browser or system-level compromise in guest mode or as an authenticated user, and $150,000 for a persistent exploit.

"The attack must be demonstrated against a base (WiFi) model of the Samsung Series 5 550 Chromebook, running the latest stable version of Chrome OS," Evans wrote. "Any installed software (including the kernel and drivers, etc.) may be used to attempt the attack."

Computerworld's Gregg Keizer observed that the total prize money in 2013 is more than three times that of what the company offered in 2012. Pwnium 3 will take place at CanSecWest in Vancouver, British Columbia. In addition, Google and Hewlett Packard are partnering to host the Pwn2Own contest at the same event, offering a total of $560,000 in prizes. This year will also be the first time that Chrome OS has been publicly tested.

As the tech giants challenge hackers to break into their systems, businesses can better protect themselves by evaluating their own safeguards. Implementing SSL certificates is an important part of protecting visitors' data as it transitions to the website.

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