In the world of bug bounty hunting, reconnaissance is a critical first step. Before attempting to exploit vulnerabilities, ethical hackers need to gather as much information as possible about the target system or website. This process, known as recon, involves identifying and mapping out the target’s infrastructure, technologies, and potential weak points. Effective recon enables bounty hunters to spot hidden vulnerabilities, reducing the chances of missing high-value bugs. In this course, you'll learn how to leverage advanced tools and techniques to perform efficient and thorough reconnaissance, ensuring you leave no stone unturned in your hunt for security flaws.

Effective recon combines both passive and active techniques. Passive recon focuses on collecting data without interacting directly with the target, utilizing publicly available information such as WHOIS records, DNS lookups, and social media profiles. Active recon, on the other hand, involves interacting with the target—probing for open ports, hidden directories, and sensitive files that could lead to potential security vulnerabilities.