At just 22, Muneeb Amin Bhat from Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam has made a name for himself in the world of ethical hacking. He is helping major companies like Oracle, Apple, Intel, McDonald's, and NASA by identifying and fixing vulnerabilities in their systems.
A self-taught cyber security analyst, Muneeb's fascination with computers started at the age of nine, when he began hacking into his friends' social media accounts and Wi-Fi networks.
“I would inform my friends to secure their social media accounts. When I informed the shop owners or neighbours about the security leak in their Wi-Fi, they would appreciate my efforts and thank me,” he says.
Despite limited access to the internet and electricity, Muneeb persisted in his self-learning journey. He was the go-to ‘gadget fixer’ in his village for any problems in mobile phones and computers.”
In 2023, he discovered a critical iCloud data leak for Apple, which earned him recognition in Apple’s ‘Hall of Fame’. “I submitted my findings in July 2023 and received an acknowledgement from them a few months later.”
Muneeb identifies vulnerabilities in systems to help companies secure their data through bug bounty programmes. He has also developed his own interception tools that help him test data and find leaks.
He helps prevent cyberattacks and data breaches, ensuring user privacy and security for millions. “Even though companies have their own security teams, they invite ethical hackers to report vulnerabilities in their data,” Muneeb explains.
Through bug bounties, companies reward hackers for discovering vulnerabilities, with payouts ranging from $100 to $10,000.
Muneeb plans to work as a cybersecurity analyst once he completes his degree. “My goal is to ensure the safety of user data and company websites and domains,” he says.
He emphasises self-learning, knowledge of hardware, operating systems, and networking is important to build a career in ethical hacking. “A basic computer degree like a BCA or MCA or BTech would be good to enter into this field,” he adds.