Apple: find Apple system loopholes and win a reward of up to $200000

How much is a bug in Apple's software worth? The problem has always been a mystery because the company has not previously paid the researchers who found the loophole. But on Thursday, the answer was finally revealed: $200000.

Ivan Krstic, Apple's head of security, said the company would pay up to $200000 in bonuses to researchers who found bugs in its software.

"We are pleased to announce the Apple Security Award program," Kirschick said at the Black Hat cyber security conference. " He also disclosed detailed technical information about how Apple protects user data.

In fact, many large software companies and companies that rely heavily on computers offer similar security incentives, including Microsoft, Yahoo, Chrysler and United. Google, for example, announced last month that it had paid $550000 in bonuses to researchers who discovered vulnerabilities in Android software last year. Facebook also said in February that its vulnerability incentive program had paid more than $4.3 million to 800researchers around the world since 2011.

In fact, many researchers will release the vulnerabilities they found in Apple's system in time. Because of its smaller market share and more secure products, Apple faces relatively few attacks, so finding Apple vulnerabilities can enhance its reputation.

But not everyone is willing to tell Apple about the vulnerabilities they have found and choose to sell such information in private. The latest project seems to encourage researchers to report vulnerabilities to Apple in the first place.