Google offers hackers $3.1 million to exploit Chrome operating system Not one to take security lightly, Google has announced it will pay hackers a combined total of nearly $US3 million ($3.12m) to find exploits in its Chrome operating system (Chrome OS). The Mountain View, California-based tech giant said it will hold a contest called Pwnium in March, in which hackers can put their skills to the test by trying to hack into either the HP Chromebook 11 or the Acer C720 Chromebook. The company said it will pay out prizes of $US110,000 ($126,000) and $US150,000 ($172,300). In total, it will pay $US2.71828 million ($3.12m), which is a reference to the mathematical constant e, a concept thats important to know when writing algorithms. To earn the $US110,000 payouts, hackers will have to compromise Chrome OS through a web page. For the $US150,000 prize, hackers will have to compromise the computers so thoroughly through a web page that the machine is still under their control even after it has been rebooted.
Posted on: Tue, 28 Jan 2014 04:19:58 +0000