Top 8 Bug Bounty Books for 2025: Must-Reads for Ethical Hackers
Updated: January 29, 2025 - Medium article by VeryLazyTech
If you’re serious about bug bounty hunting, investing in the right books can fast-track your learning, sharpen your skills, and help you land high-paying bounties. These books aren’t just guides; they’re roadmaps crafted by industry experts, filled with real-world hacking scenarios, step-by-step methodologies, and advanced techniques to take your cybersecurity game to the next level.
Whether you’re just starting out or you’re an experienced bounty hunter looking to refine your techniques, this list includes the best books for 2025 to help you dominate the bug bounty world.
1. Practical Penetration Testing 2025: Tools, Techniques, and Real-World Applications
Author: Luke Kaur Why You Need This Book: Released in January 2025, this book is a must-have for penetration testers and bug bounty hunters looking to stay ahead of the curve. It dives deep into AI-driven security tools, cloud penetration testing, and even the implications of quantum computing on cybersecurity.
📌 What You’ll Learn:
How to integrate AI and automation in security assessments
Cloud-specific attack methodologies and defense strategies
Real-world case studies from recent pentesting engagements
2. Redefining Hacking: A Comprehensive Guide to Red Teaming and Bug Bounty Hunting in an AI-driven World
Author: Omar Santos Why You Need This Book: Releasing in May 2025, this book explores red teaming strategies and bug bounty techniques in a world increasingly shaped by AI-driven security tools.
📌 What You’ll Learn:
AI-powered security evasion techniques
Advanced red teaming methodologies for ethical hacking
How AI is shaping the future of cybersecurity
3. The Hacker’s Playbook 3: Practical Guide to Penetration Testing
Author: Peter Kim Why You Need This Book: A step-by-step guide to penetration testing, packed with real-world attack scenarios.
📌 What You’ll Learn:
Advanced network and web hacking techniques
Red teaming playbooks used by professionals
How to structure an efficient pentest
4. Web Application Hacker’s Handbook: Finding and Exploiting Security Flaws (Second Edition)
Authors: Dafydd Stuttard & Marcus Pinto Why You Need This Book: This 850+ page guide is the bible of web security, covering everything from SQL injection to authentication bypasses.
📌 What You’ll Learn:
Advanced SQLi, XSS, and CSRF attack techniques
How to bypass authentication mechanisms
How to analyze and exploit real-world web vulnerabilities
5. Real-World Bug Hunting: A Field Guide to Web Hacking
Author: Peter Yaworski Why You Need This Book: This book provides real bug bounty reports, helping you understand how successful hackers think.
📌 What You’ll Learn:
How real-world bugs were discovered and reported
Case studies on XSS, CSRF, and IDOR vulnerabilities
Insights into bug bounty platforms like HackerOne and Bugcrowd
6. Hacking APIs: Breaking Web Application Programming Interfaces
Author: Corey J. Ball Why You Need This Book: APIs are a goldmine for bug hunters. This book teaches you API security testing with real-world examples.
📌 What You’ll Learn:
How to fuzz APIs for vulnerabilities
Exploiting NoSQL injections and JWT weaknesses
Reverse engineering APIs for hidden endpoints
7. Bug Bounty Bootcamp: The Guide to Finding and Reporting Web Vulnerabilities
Author: Vickie Li Why You Need This Book: This book bridges the gap between beginner and expert, teaching you how to optimize your bug hunting process.
📌 What You’ll Learn:
How to automate recon with ffuf, amass, and subfinder
Writing high-quality reports that get you paid
Ethical hacking best practices
8. Practical IoT Hacking: The Definitive Guide to Attacking the Internet of Things
Authors: Fotios Chantzis & Team Why You Need This Book: IoT is an untapped bounty hunting goldmine. This book gives you hands-on IoT hacking skills.
📌 What You’ll Learn:
Hardware and firmware exploitation
Bluetooth, Zigbee, and RF attacks
How to reverse engineer smart devices
Learn & practice For the OSCP.
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