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Apple Pays Hefty Reward Of $100,500 To Student For Discovering A Bug In Mac’s Webcam
28 Jan, 2022 / 05:54 am / OMNES Media LLC

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The $100,500 reward is the Cupertino-based company's greatest bug bounty award to date.

Apple incorporates security into the foundation of its operating systems. The California company has established security architectures that handle the particular requirements of mobile, watch, desktop, and home, based on its expertise in producing one of the world's most advanced mobile operating systems.

Usually, Apple products are made up of a combination of hardware, software, and services that are all engineered to work together for maximum security and a transparent user experience, with the ultimate objective of keeping personal information secure.

Apple has rewarded a cybersecurity student, Ryan Pickren with a prize of $100,500 (approximately Rs 75,54,000) for discovering a vulnerability in Mac computers' webcams.

Pickren identified the new camera vulnerability as affecting Safari and iCloud, Apple Insider reports. Hackers now have entry to all web-based accounts, which include iCloud and PayPal, as well as the ability to use the microphone, camera, and screen sharing. Besides, hackers might have taken advantage of Safari's 'web archive' files.

Hackers may gain access to cameras on Mac machines by exploiting vulnerabilities with iCloud Sharing and Safari 15, based on the Ryan Pickren’s blog post, who wrote about the vulnerability. Also, Apple has since patched these flaws.

The $100,500 reward is the Cupertino-based company's greatest bug bounty award to date. Hackers previously hacked Apple AirTag in May 2021, modifying the device's firmware. The AirTag was created by Apple to assist users in keeping track of their missing things.

According to a 9To5Mac, a German cybersecurity researcher has hacked Apple's Bluetooth-enabled tracker, which is a first for the gadget. Apple has not yet responded to the issue, although it has paid Pickren $100,500 through its bug bounty program.

Apple's bug bounty program offers up to $1 million (approximately Rs 7,51,00,000) to anyone who discovers defects in the company's software or products. Apple maintains a list of maximum payouts for security problem reporting by category.