Key Takeaways
- Recon is the highest-leverage phase of bug bounty hunting — better recon finds bugs others miss
- You need a proper lab environment before testing on real targets — our setup guide covers hardware and software
- Certificate transparency logs are an underused recon technique that reveals hidden subdomains and infrastructure
- Start with the Starter Kit, build your recon workflow, then specialize in a vulnerability class
Bug Bounty Resource Center: Recon Workflows, Starter Kits & Lab Setup Guides (2026)
Bug bounty hunting rewards skill, persistence, and methodology. The hunters who earn consistently aren't the ones with the most tools — they're the ones with the best recon workflows, the deepest understanding of vulnerability classes, and the discipline to document everything.
This hub collects every resource we've published for bug bounty hunters — from getting started to advanced recon techniques.
Getting Started
Bug Bounty Starter Kit 2026: Essential Tools, Books & Equipment
Everything you need to start bug bounty hunting — hardware recommendations, essential software, learning resources, and platform guides. The complete checklist for going from zero to first submission.
Complete Security Lab Setup Guide 2026: Professional Bug Bounty & Penetration Testing Equipment
How to build a professional security testing lab — VM configurations, network isolation, tool installation, and the hardware that actually matters for daily testing work.
Recon Workflows & Techniques
Bug Bounty Recon Workflow in 2026: From Scope to First Finding
The complete recon methodology — scope analysis, subdomain enumeration, port scanning, content discovery, and technology fingerprinting. Step-by-step with tool commands and automation tips.
Certificate Transparency Logs: The Recon Tool You're Probably Not Using
CT logs reveal every SSL certificate ever issued for a domain — including internal subdomains, staging environments, and forgotten infrastructure. Here's how to query them effectively.
Vulnerability Deep-Dives for Hunters
Once your recon identifies targets, you need to know what to test for. These guides cover the vulnerability classes that pay the most in bug bounty programs.
Detecting SQL Injection: What Your Scanner Should Check
SQL injection is still the most common critical finding in bug bounty programs. Error-based, boolean-based, and time-based detection techniques.
Server-Side Request Forgery: What Your Scanner Should Detect
SSRF is a high-value bug bounty target, especially in cloud environments where it can reach metadata endpoints. Detection and exploitation techniques.
Detecting Reflected XSS: What Your Scanner Should Check
XSS remains one of the most reported bug bounty findings. Context-dependent payloads, WAF bypasses, and what automated scanners miss.
API Security Testing: 10 Checks Every API Needs
APIs are the fastest-growing attack surface in bug bounty. BOLA, broken auth, mass assignment — the checks that find real bugs.
Tools & Scanner Guides
Best Security Testing Tools for Bug Bounty Hunters 2026
The complete tool directory with honest assessments — scanners, proxies, fuzzers, recon tools, and specialized utilities.
Writing Nuclei Templates: A Practical Guide for Security Teams
Custom Nuclei templates let you automate checks for vulnerabilities you find repeatedly. Here's how to write them.
Related Hubs
OWASP Top 10 Testing Guide — Deep-dive guides for testing every OWASP vulnerability category.
Security Scanner Comparison Hub — Tool reviews, pricing, and head-to-head comparisons for every major security scanner.