Google Sponsorship Asks Hackers To Crack Chrome

Google is using sponsorship to test the defenses of the company's Chrome browser. It has announced it will be sponsoring the 5th annual 5th annual Pwn2Own competition, an event where hackers are challenged to break the security of various mobile and web browser programs. This year Chrome will be on the list.

The Google Security Department is sponsoring a $20,000 award to the first competitor who successfully cracks Chrome. Each contestant will have a 30-minute time slot in which to complete their attempt, according to the event's blog. In addition to the prize money, the winner will receive a Google CR-48 running ChromeOS.

Information Week writes...

"Awards of this sort appear to be helpful in promoting the controlled release of vulnerabilities. Three months ago, Google expanded its bug bounty program through which it pays $500 to $3,133.70 for previously undiscovered software flaws. Launched in January 2010 to reward those reporting Chrome bugs, the program was expanded to cover the company's Web sites in November. Google paid out about $14,000 in bounties in January.