Social networks gather to millions of users who interact daily, But behind this connectivity there are also risks. Some people, like Ben Sadeghipourfound surprising opportunities by detect faults in these massive systems, turning their discoveries into lucrative rewards and valuable lessons for cybersecurity.
In this context, Goalthe parent company of Facebookestablished programs to incentivize researchers who find vulnerabilities in their platforms. Thus, Sadeghipour achieved what few others did: transform his ability to identify errors into an unexpected profit, directly rewarded by the company. Mark Zuckerberg.
What did Ben Sadeghipour do?
Ben Sadeghipour is a digital security researcher which he discovered together with Alex Chapman a serious vulnerability in the advertising platform Facebook. This failure was located in one of the servers that Meta uses to manage the creation and distribution of advertising campaigns.
The problem was linked to a known weakness in the browser Chromewhich allowed them to interact directly with the server and potentially take control of its infrastructure. This situation could have posed a major risk to Meta’s systems if it had not been resolved in time.
Sadeghipour reported the issue to Meta immediately, stopping any further activity on the server at the company’s request while the necessary adjustments were made. According to the researcher, Meta solved the problem in just one hourdemonstrating their ability to manage critical security emergencies.
After completing the process, Meta recognized the impact of the discovery and rewarded him with a significant figure, as part of its commitment to the constant improvement of cybersecurity in its products and services.
How much is the fortune granted by Mark Zuckerberg?
For his contribution, Ben Sadeghipour received a reward of 100,000 dollars. This amount is part of the rewards program that Meta launched in 2011 to encourage the detection of faults in their systems. Since its creation, this initiative has disbursed millions to researchers around the world.
The company’s program evaluates each reported vulnerability based on its potential impact. In Sadeghipour’s case, the threat was significant, involving possible control of servers crucial to the platform’s advertising operations. These types of risks can compromise sensitive data and the operation of the company, justifying the high compensation.
In addition to money, this recognition reinforces the importance of cybersecurity professionals, who play a fundamental role in protecting the digital environment. Cases like Sadeghipour’s highlight how collaboration between companies and external investigators can prevent major incidents.
Source: Ambito
