Codebreakers Chronicles: Ethical Hacking Journey with Aditya Saxena

Hello everyone! My name is Aditya Saxena, and I am a freelance bug hunter. My journey in this exciting field began in 2023 when I was in my third year of college. Back then, like many of my peers, I was focused on web development and coding. While these activities were enjoyable, I felt that I was not doing anything unique or different from others.

Early Passion for Cricket

During my school days, I had a deep passion for cricket. I trained extensively at a cricket academy and even had the opportunity to represent the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association in the Under-17 inter-state cricket championship. I was honoured to be named the man of the match in one of the games, which was a highlight of my sporting journey.

Cricket was more than just a hobby for me; it was a potential career path I passionately wanted to pursue. However, my family had different aspirations for me—they emphasised the importance of academics and urged me to focus on studies. Regrettably, due to these circumstances, I had to set aside my athletic dreams. It was a difficult period for me, and I felt deeply saddened by having to leave behind something I loved so dearly.

How I Got Into Bug Hunting

One day, my college teacher suggested that I download LinkedIn to explore job opportunities. As I was browsing through LinkedIn, I came across the story of an 18-year-old who had been paid for finding a bug in a website. This sparked my interest, and I noticed he mentioned TMG Security and its founder, Mayank Gandhi, from whom he had received training in bug bounty hunting.

This was a turning point for me. I decided to join TMG Security and learn from Mayank Gandhi. His guidance and mentorship were invaluable, and I am truly grateful to him for helping me become a bug hunter. I immersed myself in learning, reading articles, books, and watching tutorials to hone my skills.

Navigating Academic Challenges: Choosing Bug Bounty Hunting Over Theory

When I started focusing on bug hunting, I found myself losing interest in theoretical subjects. This shift in focus led to a setback in my academic performance, and I ended up getting a back in Computer Graphics during my 6th semester of college. It was at that moment that I decided to give my full attention to bug bounty hunting and cybersecurity because this was where my true interest lay.

Despite the challenges, I managed to balance my college studies, though my marks were not as high as before. However, this decision allowed me to pursue my passion and carve out a path in ethical hacking.

Achievements

My hard work paid off when I found my first bug, an XSS vulnerability, on the Coding Ninjas website. This initial success motivated me to keep pushing forward. Over time, I have received an appreciation letter from NASA and acknowledgements from over 30 companies, including Microsoft, the Dutch Government, BBC, and many more.

Motivation

What keeps me motivated in the field of ethical hacking is the sense of purpose and the impact I can make. Knowing that my work helps make the internet a safer place for everyone is incredibly fulfilling. The constant learning and problem-solving involved in bug hunting keep me engaged and excited. Each new vulnerability I discover is like solving a complex puzzle, and the reward is not just personal satisfaction but also the recognition from the companies I help secure.

Looking Ahead

As I look to the future, I am excited about the endless possibilities in the field of ethical hacking. I aim to continue learning and mastering new skills, staying updated with the latest trends and technologies in cybersecurity. My goal is to discover more complex vulnerabilities and contribute to the security of even more organisations.

I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Com Olho for providing such a fantastic platform for bug hunting. Being part of this community has been incredibly rewarding, and I appreciate the recognition and support from Com Olho.