In 2016, a 10-year-old hacker from Helsinki made headlines around the world by finding a serious flaw in Instagram’s security. This young tech prodigy, known only as Jani, managed to exploit a vulnerability in Facebook’s photo-sharing app, earning an impressive $10,000 reward from Facebook’s white-hat hacker bug bounty program.
According to Finnish news outlet Iltalehti, Jani discovered a security hole that allowed him to remove comments from photos, including those from well-known celebrities like Justin Bieber. The flaw existed due to a malfunctioning private API that did not properly validate the user responsible for a comment deletion, which allowed unauthorized actions.
This flaw granted Jani access to Facebook’s servers, and he even demonstrated his ability to manipulate photos and comments using a fake Instagram account. After reporting the bug to Facebook, Jani received a $10,000 reward as part of the company’s bug bounty program.
Jani’s father mentioned that his son, along with his twin brother, had previously found security vulnerabilities, but this was the first time they received such a substantial payout. This accomplishment set a remarkable precedent for Jani’s future in cybersecurity.
Jani’s interest in hacking started at a young age. As he explained to the Finnish press, he learned about hacking by watching tutorials on YouTube and is now determined to pursue a career in cybersecurity. His ultimate dream job? To become a white-hat hacker and make the online world a safer place. “The importance of security cannot be overstated,” he said.
With a head start like this, it is likely that Jani could become one of the leading figures in cybersecurity. His story is an inspiring reminder of how early exposure to technology can shape the careers of the next generation of security professionals.
Jani also plans to use his $10,000 reward to buy a new bicycle and a football, just like any other young boy with a dream. His story shows that sometimes, young minds can make the most significant impacts in unexpected fields.
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Facebook’s bug bounty program has been operational since 2011 and has paid out over $4.3 million to more than 800 security researchers, showcasing the company’s commitment to identifying and fixing vulnerabilities across its platforms. This initiative not only rewards hackers like Jani but also contributes to securing services like Oculus, Onavo, and Instagram.
FAQs about the 10-Year-Old Instagram Hacker
- Who is Jani, the 10-year-old hacker?
- Jani is a 10-year-old from Helsinki who found a security flaw in Instagram, allowing him to delete comments from photos, including those of celebrities like Justin Bieber. He was rewarded $10,000 by Facebook’s bug bounty program.
- What is Facebook’s white-hat hacker bug bounty program?
- Facebook’s bug bounty program is a reward system that pays hackers for finding and reporting security vulnerabilities across Facebook’s platforms, including Instagram, Oculus, and Onavo. The program encourages responsible disclosure of security flaws.
- How did Jani discover the Instagram bug?
- Jani discovered a vulnerability in Instagram’s private API that failed to match users with the comments they had deleted, granting him unauthorized access to remove comments from photos.
- What did Jani do with his $10,000 reward?
- Jani plans to use his $10,000 reward to buy a new bicycle and a football, demonstrating that even young hackers can use their earnings in a practical way.
- How can someone become a white-hat hacker?
- Becoming a white-hat hacker involves gaining knowledge of cybersecurity, often through tutorials, courses, and practice in ethical hacking. Many successful white-hat hackers start by exploring vulnerabilities and reporting them responsibly, just like Jani.
Conclusion
Jani’s story serves as a great reminder of how powerful young minds can be in the field of cybersecurity. His ability to identify and exploit a flaw in Instagram’s system at such a young age is a testament to the growing influence of ethical hackers and the importance of cybersecurity in today’s digital world. With more young people getting involved in ethical hacking, the future of online security looks bright.