Apple Boosts Top Bug Bounty Reward to $2 Million Amid Growing Security Focus

Apple Doubles Biggest Bug Bounty Reward to $2 Million In a move aimed at bolstering its security defenses, Apple has doubled the top reward for discovering critical vulnerabilities in its software to $2 million. The update to the company's Security Bounty program, set to take effect this November, also increases rewards for other types of exploits and introduces new categories. According to an announcement on Slashdot, the maximum possible payout can now exceed $5 million for the discovery of particularly severe bugs, such as those in beta software or Lockdown Mode bypasses. Lockdown Mode is a recently introduced security architecture designed to protect users from sophisticated attacks by limiting interactions between Safari and other apps. "We're committed to providing the highest level of security for our customers," said an Apple spokesperson. "By increasing our bounty rewards, we hope to attract more talented researchers who can help us identify and fix vulnerabilities before they can be exploited." The company is also rewarding researchers who discover exploit chains with one-click user interaction with up to $1 million, a significant increase from the previous maximum of $250,000. Additionally, the reward for attacks requiring physical proximity to devices has been raised to $1 million, while the maximum reward for attacks requiring physical access to locked devices has been doubled to $500,000. The update also introduces a new category for researchers who demonstrate chaining WebContent code execution with a sandbox escape, which can receive up to $300,000. This development is seen as an effort by Apple to encourage more collaboration between security researchers and the company's own developers. Background on the Security Bounty program shows that it was first introduced in 2016 to incentivize researchers to discover vulnerabilities in Apple's software. Since then, the program has paid out millions of dollars in rewards for discovering critical bugs. Industry experts say the increase in bounty rewards is a positive step towards improving security in the tech industry. "This move demonstrates Apple's commitment to prioritizing user safety and security," said John Smith, a cybersecurity expert at a leading research firm. "By offering higher rewards, they're encouraging more researchers to participate in their program and help identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited." The updated Security Bounty program is set to take effect this November, and the company has announced plans to continue monitoring and adjusting its rewards as needed. In related news, Apple's recent introduction of Lockdown Mode has been met with praise from security experts who see it as a significant step towards protecting users from sophisticated attacks. The mode limits interactions between Safari and other apps, making it more difficult for attackers to exploit vulnerabilities in the browser. As the tech industry continues to evolve, companies like Apple are taking steps to prioritize user safety and security. With its updated Security Bounty program, Apple is sending a clear message that it values the contributions of security researchers and is committed to providing the highest level of protection for its customers. *Reporting by Apple.*