Bag A Bad Bug For Bucks

Fri., Oct. 13, 1995

Associated Press

Bug collectors note: Find one on the Internet, and you may have money coming.

Netscape Communications Corp. this week began offering rewards to anyone who finds flaws in the test version of new software that helps people navigate the World Wide Web portion of the Internet.

The offer aims to lure both software experts and amateurs to find loopholes in Netscape’s new product at an early stage, “so when we release it, it’s as solid as possible,” company spokeswoman Rosanne Siino said.

“It makes a lot of sense … (to) essentially harness the intelligence of all the people out there on the Internet, particularly in the area of security,” Siino said Wednesday.

The bounty includes $1,000 in cash for finders of “severe” security flaws. Smaller bugs, including those not involving security breaches, bring less bounty: a choice of select Netscape merchandise.

Netscape, based in Mountain View, Calif., remains the final arbiter of what qualifies as a “severe” bug, Siino said.

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Bag A Bad Bug For Bucks

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