Hack Android and Google Will Pay you $200,000

Google is offering a reward (or prize) of $200,000 for anyone able to compromise the security of its Android operating system. With a few catches (I will go on to explain) the prize money might tempt a few of the hardcore code breakers to attempt to earn some money.

Hack Android and win money? What do I have to do?

We have found via TechPowerUp that Google is offering the $200,000 prize for anyone who can find “a remote exploit chain or exploit resulting in a TrustZone or Verified Bot compromise”. Whilst an impressive sum, this isn’t new for the innovative giants. Google launched its ‘bug hunt’ initiative back in 2010. The idea was to encourage 3rd party (civilians) in the attempt to find compromises in their Android security. To date, a successful way to hack Android has proven highly difficult. So much so that Android increased its bounty.

A brief history of the prize!

Initially the reward for finding “a remote exploit chain or exploit resulting in a TrustZone or Verified Bot compromise” was $50,000. To date, no one has managed to do this and as such, Google is feeling a bit confident. Confident to the point that they have quadrupled the price money to an amazing $200,000.

Google has also just upped the prize fund for anyone who can find remote kernel exploits. Increasing it from $30,000 to a whopping $150,000.

Whilst Google might be reeling from recent court cases in Russia, the innovative tech firm doesn’t do itself any harm promoting such a clear desire for its security.

An attempt to hack Android has never been more tempting. Since launching ‘bug hunt’ in 2010 this has led to over $1.5m being paid out in prizes/rewards.

Can it be done?

I’m not a hacker, so no idea. Whilst Malware has had some success with Android, the operating system itself is proving a tougher nut to crack. For Google to offer a $200,000 reward to anyone who can find an exploit in this area is making quite a statement. Either Google is pretty sure it can’t be done or Google is desperate for someone to do it.

Either way, for those who enjoy challenges, to get $200,000 to successfully hack Android seems worth a go to me.

Happy hacking and best of luck!