Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Teen Scores $60K for Google Hack

Firm awards prizes for exposing security flaws

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 11, 2012 9:50 AM CDT

(Newser) – A teenager has won $60,000 for a "critical" hack into Google's Chrome browser—a prize paid by the tech giant itself. For the second time in a year, the youth, who goes by "Pinkie Pie," has won Google's contest to expose security problems, Venture Beat reports. Google called the hack "another beautiful piece of work," and corrected the issue within 10 hours, Sky News reports.

The prize-winning hack occurred at a Malaysia hacking conference Tuesday after Google launched the contest in August; Pinkie Pie had already won $60,000 in a February iteration of the "Pwnium" competition. The contest included $2 million worth of prizes, including $60,000 awards for "full exploits" and $10,000 for "partial exploits." Facebook also offers cash for hacks. Pinkie Pie reportedly applied for a job with Google last year—but didn't get it.

Eric Shcmidt, executive chairman of Google Inc., shows the Nexus 7 tablet during a press conference in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012.
Eric Shcmidt, executive chairman of Google Inc., shows the Nexus 7 tablet during a press conference in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012.   (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
6%
5%
2%
84%
2%
3%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
techiejames
Oct 12, 2012 8:30 AM CDT
He needs to be hired by someone.  If Google is too dumb not to hire him, then I hope Microsoft does.
Naked_Emperor
Oct 11, 2012 5:18 PM CDT
If he is hired will he still get money when he uncovers a security flaw? Or will it then be considered part of his standard job description?
TheProducer
Oct 11, 2012 3:45 PM CDT
hire this kid.  not because he's smart and would do well.  but because you're paying him anyway,  at least with hiring him you can keep the costs under control.  
 

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne