If you're proficient at finding bugs in technology, Microsoft just gave you an excuse to call off plans for the weekend. The company has raised the reward money for its Zero Day Quest to $5 million. That's not too small a change of money—that's "quit your current job and take a vacation" kind of money.
These aren't the bugs that get you stuck in front of a blank screen, though. They're zero-day vulnerabilities—serious bugs that nobody else is aware of yet. If a hacker had stumbled upon one first, they could cause actual damage.
By paying more dollars to solve the problem, Microsoft basically says, "Hey, let's put as many keen eyes on this as possible." More hunters, more chances to catch and fix things before they become disasters.
Small security holes? A few thousand.
High-risk, big bugs? Up to $250,000.
With $5 million on the table, plenty of people can win.
So if you're good at breaking things (by design), maybe it's time to see if your skills can help you earn a slice of that $5 million pie.
The Quest in Plain English
Here's the catch: Microsoft employs security researchers—and in fact, anyone with skills—to search for concealed defects in their programming. If you discover one and report it properly, you get paid.These aren't the bugs that get you stuck in front of a blank screen, though. They're zero-day vulnerabilities—serious bugs that nobody else is aware of yet. If a hacker had stumbled upon one first, they could cause actual damage.
Why Raise the Stakes?
The solution's simple: hackers are getting faster, smarter, and more brazen. Cybercrime isn't slowing down, and every day that a bug goes unnoticed is a day it might be exploited.By paying more dollars to solve the problem, Microsoft basically says, "Hey, let's put as many keen eyes on this as possible." More hunters, more chances to catch and fix things before they become disasters.
How Much Can You Actually Make?
The rewards depend on the risk associated with the bug:Small security holes? A few thousand.
High-risk, big bugs? Up to $250,000.
With $5 million on the table, plenty of people can win.
Why This Is Genius
This is not a geeks-for-money grab—it's a stroke of genius for everyone:- It makes hacking a legitimate, profitable career.
- It makes Microsoft's offerings safer for millions of users.
- It rewards brilliant thinkers well.
Wrapping It Up
I love that this empowers ethical hackers. Instead of selling a flaw to shady individuals, you can report it to Microsoft, get paid, and feel good about just making the web a little safer.So if you're good at breaking things (by design), maybe it's time to see if your skills can help you earn a slice of that $5 million pie.