Meet the 13-year-old Hacker, Who Has Found Security Bugs in Some of the Top Tech Companies!
He is a teenager like any other. However, what makes him stand out are the "ethical hacking" techniques he applies, which have surprised even superpowers like the United States.
Ahsan Tahir from Karachi, Pakistan, uses his hacking skills to help some of the biggest tech companies find and fix vulnerabilities in their websites. In exchange for his services, he receives cash. Tahir has already made a name for himself in the cybersecurity world by discovering bugs for big companies like Microsoft and Google.
Tahir was introduced to the world of security when someone hacked his own site. So, looking for ways to protect himself, he found that he could not only find vulnerabilities in the security of his own applications, but also of others. He started watching videos on YouTube and experimenting on his own, and today he is already earning money at the age of 13, thanks to his skills. He even wants to buy his own car with his own money someday.
Tahir's father told NBC News that he is proud of his self-taught son, given that neither he nor his wife are programmers.
Tahir says that while money is certainly a good motivator, he also wants to make the internet a safer place for everyone. He's even thinking about teaching people how to spot bugs, through tutorials. "I'm proud to contribute to a safer internet. The more ethical hackers there are, the more bugs will be discovered and the safer companies will be."
He wants to become a software and possibly start his own company. For now, however, he expects to turn 14 in July in order to receive $500 from Microsoft, as that is the minimum age for young hackers.
With everyone from Apple to the Pentagon offering cash for finding bugs in their systems, these programs are already starting to go mainstream. Depending on the severity of the bug and how big the company is, a successful hacker can earn anywhere from $50 to $350,000!
