Master Recon in Bug Bounty (2026) 🔥 | Complete Beginner to Pro Guide

Introduction

This tutorial is designed to provide a comprehensive guide on mastering reconnaissance (recon) in bug bounty hunting. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to enhance your skills, this step-by-step approach will equip you with practical techniques and tools needed to effectively gather information about targets in the context of security testing.

Step 1: Understanding Reconnaissance

Reconnaissance is the first phase in the bug bounty process, where you gather as much information as possible about a target. This is essential for identifying potential vulnerabilities.

• Types of Recon:
  • Active Recon: Involves interacting with the target directly (e.g., scanning).
  • Passive Recon: Involves collecting data without direct interaction (e.g., searching public records).

Step 2: Setting Up Your Environment

Before diving into recon, ensure you have the right tools and environment set up.

• Tools to Install:

  • Burp Suite: For web application security testing.
  • Nmap: For network scanning and discovery.
  • Sublist3r: For subdomain enumeration.
  • WhatWeb: For web technology detection.

• Configuration:

  • Set up a virtual machine (VM) or use Docker for a safe testing environment.
  • Ensure you have a reliable internet connection and access to VPNs for anonymity.

Step 3: Gathering Domain Information

Start your reconnaissance by collecting information about the target's domain.

• Whois Lookup:

  • Use tools like whois to gather registration details.
  • Check for related domains and expiration dates.

• DNS Enumeration:

  • Use tools like dig or online services to discover DNS records (A, MX, NS).
  • Identify subdomains using Sublist3r or Amass.

Step 4: Exploring Web Technologies

Understanding the technologies a web application uses can reveal potential vulnerabilities.

• Use WhatWeb:
  • Run whatweb <target> to detect technologies used by the site.
  • Look for common frameworks and libraries (e.g., WordPress, jQuery).

Step 5: Scanning for Vulnerabilities

Once you have gathered enough information, start scanning for vulnerabilities.

• Network Scanning with Nmap:

  • Run nmap -sS -sV -p- <target> to perform a SYN scan and version detection.
  • Analyze open ports and services for potential weaknesses.

• Web Application Scanning:

  • Use Burp Suite’s spider tool to crawl the web application and identify endpoints.
  • Utilize the scanner feature to automatically find vulnerabilities.

Step 6: Documenting Findings

Keeping track of your discoveries is crucial for reporting and further analysis.

• Create a Report:

  • Document all findings, including vulnerabilities, potential exploits, and evidence.
  • Use a structured format (e.g., Markdown or HTML) for clarity.

• Use Templates:

  • Consider using reporting templates available online to streamline the process.

Conclusion

Mastering reconnaissance in bug bounty hunting is essential for identifying vulnerabilities effectively. By following the steps outlined in this guide—understanding reconnaissance, setting up your environment, gathering domain information, exploring web technologies, scanning for vulnerabilities, and documenting findings—you can significantly enhance your skills.

As you progress, consider expanding your knowledge through additional resources, tools, and ongoing practice in real-world scenarios. Happy hunting!