Faceless Hacker in Africa: My VAPT-to-Bug Bounty Workflow (Step-by-Step)

Introduction: The Rise of the Faceless Hacker

In the growing world of cybersecurity and ethical hacking, many think you need a huge setup or a visible online persona to make an impact.
I’m proof that you don’t.

I’m a faceless cybersecurity researcher from Africa a silent observer of networks and vulnerabilities. My passion lies in finding weaknesses, protecting systems, and sharing knowledge without revealing my face.

What started as curiosity became a mission: mastering Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) and applying it to bug bounty hunting.

In this post, I’ll reveal my step-by-step workflow how I move from professional VAPT to successful bug bounty submissions.
Step 1: Reconnaissance — The Foundation of Every Hack

Every hacker’s success depends on one thing: information gathering.

My recon process starts on Kali Linux, using open-source tools like:

amass – for subdomain enumeration

Nmap – for port and service discovery

httpx / aquatone – to verify live hosts and capture screenshots

whatweb, wappalyzer, nuclei – for tech stack fingerprinting

These tools help me map the attack surface — identifying what’s exposed, outdated, or misconfigured.

Tip for new bug bounty hunters: Save everything — results, screenshots, logs. Organized recon data often leads to your first valid bug.

Step 2: Scanning — Turning Data into Leads

Once I know what’s online, I move into scanning — the transition from information gathering to active analysis.

I use:

nmap -sV -A for service detection

Nuclei templates for vulnerability pattern matching

dirsearch or ffuf for directory and API endpoint discovery

This is where I look for the “door left open” — a forgotten admin panel, an outdated CMS version, or a misconfigured CORS header.

Remember, bug bounty success starts here. Don’t rush to exploit — observe, note, and plan.
Step 3: Exploitation — Validate, Don’t Damage

Here’s where most beginners go wrong.
Exploitation isn’t about breaking systems — it’s about proving risk responsibly.

For validation, I use:

SQLMap – to confirm SQL injection

Burp Suite – to modify requests and test input handling

Custom payloads – for XSS, SSRF, LFI, SSTI, or RCE

I never exfiltrate data or disrupt systems.
My focus is to demonstrate the vulnerability clearly and ethically — the essence of both VAPT and bug bounty hunting.
Step 4: Adapting the VAPT Mindset to Bug Bounty Precision

The key difference between VAPT and bug bounty hunting is scope and intent.

VAPT Bug Bounty

Full coverage testing Scope-limited testing
Focus on system security Focus on valid, reportable issues

Contract-based Public or private bounty programs

So, I adapt my professional skills to a bounty mindset:

1. Identify high-value targets (auth, payments, APIs).

2. Reproduce clearly with Proof of Concept (PoC).

3. Record evidence (screenshots, request logs).

4. Stay within program scope and rules.

Step 5: Reporting — The Hacker’s Most Underrated Skill

You can find the best bug in the world — but if you can’t report it clearly, it might never get paid.

My reporting formula:

Title: “IDOR in /api/v2/user/profile allows unauthorized access”

Summary: Describe what the issue is, in plain English

Steps to Reproduce: Numbered and clear

Impact: Explain business risk

Recommendation: Suggest mitigation

A well-structured report helps triagers trust you — and can even earn bonus payouts.

Let's Now Talk About Africa’s Place in Cybersecurity:

The African cybersecurity scene is evolving fast.
More researchers, students, and ethical hackers are joining the global movement.

By sharing knowledge and contributing to global platforms, we’re showing that Africa has serious talent in infosec — from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and beyond.

If you’re reading this from anywhere on the continent: