This is what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps, Dude.

Do you have some skill at coding for websites, or do you know something about security?  Well, Facebook wants you.  However, Facebook isn’t hiring security experts for some new initiative; that’d be too simple.  Facebook is turning hackers into bounty hunters by having them look for security flaws in its code, and paying out handsomely for turned-in tips.  We’re talking $500 to $5000 depending on the quality of the security tip, with one user already racking up $7000 in reward money for finding six serious bugs.

“At the end of the day, we feel great knowing that we’ve launched another strong effort to help provide a secure experience on Facebook.  A bug bounty program is a great way to engage with the security research community, and an even better way to improve security across a complex technological environment,” writes Joe Sullivan, Facebook’s Chief Security Officer, in a blog post.  “Facebook truly does have the world’s best neighborhood watch program, and this program has proven that yet again for us.”

Given the size of Facebook’s audience, and how badly things can go for the company when Facebook scams get out of control, this is a brilliant idea.  People are going to try to hack Facebook anyway, and now this is helpful because it gives them a monetary reward for not doing so.  More importantly, it tells users that Facebook is willing to pay to keep their data, accounts, and expensive farm equipment safe.

Tags: Facebook, Facebook bounty, Facebook pays for finding bugs, website security, Facebook paying for security loopholes, security loopholes, hackers,  Facebook paying users to find security problems, web security, facebook chief security officer, Joe Sullivan, security improvements at facebook, Facebook paying 0 to 00 to find bugs, whitehat hacking

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