Skip to main content

Google will pay you $100K if you can pull off the ultimate Chrome hack

school computers chromebooks more than apples budgetlaptops acerchromebook15
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Google has doubled the top reward in its bug bounty program for Chrome from $50,000 to $100,000 in the hopes of encouraging more white hat hackers to collaborate on patching bugs and vulnerabilities.

The Chrome Reward Program, which was launched six years ago, invites hackers to try and compromise the security of Chrome devices and Chrome OS.

Recommended Videos

This latest $100,000 update applies only to the “persistent compromise” of a Chromebook in guest mode. The challenge has so far had no winners but, according to Google, “great research deserves great awards” and it’s hopeful that the hefty reward money will encourage greater research into Chromebook security.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

Google has also added a brand new reward for anyone that can compromise Chrome’s Safe Browsing download protection features. This pays a baseline reward of $500.

Google has been pretty open with its bug bounty program over the years. In 2015, it paid out more than $2 million to security researchers that had discovered and disclosed vulnerabilities in various Google services, and more than $6 million since 2010.

The company runs a couple of different bug bounties such as a program for Android that pays up to $8,000 for a critical flaw or its wider security disclosure program for sites and services like Google.com, YouTube, and Blogger that pays up to $20,000.

Bug bounties are a popular way for tech companies to solicit help from the hacker and security communities on dangerous flaws and vulnerabilities that may have gone under the radar. By paying out some generous fees, the companies can encourage hackers to privately disclose bugs rather than exploit them or even sell them on the dark web.

The method seems to be catching on. Facebook recently paid out $15,000 over a serious bug that left everyone’s profile vulnerable. The Department of Defense has launched its own bug bounty program, Hack the Pentagon, to put its own website to the test.

Jonathan Keane
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Jonathan is a freelance technology journalist living in Dublin, Ireland. He's previously written for publications and sites…
Google boosts enhanced security with AI-powered upgrade
Person using Google

Google has strengthened Chrome's security with AI-driven real-time protection, helping safeguard your PC from dangerous downloads, sites, and extensions, as spotted by Leo on X (via Bleeping Computer). Google tested the update for three months, but it's now distributing it to all users on the stable channel.

The key change is the addition of AI-protection to the security feature, which is part of safe browsing, that's been around for years. However, users should remember that browsing data is sent to Google when you enable Enhanced Protection. Google renamed the feature to highlight AI integration, but how the new version varies from the previous one is unclear.

Read more
RTX 5090 GPU shortage could soon end if Nvidia adopts this strategy
Fans on the RTX 5080.

Nvidia may be close to resolving some of its delay issues and getting the RTX 5090 GPUs ready for consumers in at least a month, with a fortunate workaround.

Online leakers noted on X that the shortage began due to scalpers over-purchasing components, but it could soon end if Nvidia adopts this strategy.

Read more
Lenovo’s leaked ThinkBook Flip is a wild take on dual screen laptops
Leaked image of ThinkBook Flip in tent mode. Leaked image of ThinkBook Flip in tent mode.

At CES 2025, Lenovo showed off a laptop with a rollable extending screen. It seems there is more weird laptop innovation still left in the bank at Lenovo. Evan Blass has shared what appear to be product renders of a folding dual-display laptop.

Imagine a book-style foldable phone, and add a keyboard to it. Or maybe, one of those Asus or HP laptops with a flexible folding screen, with a real keyboard deck attached at the bottom.

Read more