Cyber Work
How to hack an API: A walkthrough | Guest Katie Paxton-Fear
Jan 6, 2025
Katie Paxton-Fear, a bug bounty hunter and cybersecurity expert known for her YouTube channel, InsiderPhD, dives into the world of API hacking. She offers a live demonstration showcasing common vulnerabilities in shopping apps, emphasizing creativity in problem-solving. Listeners learn how to use tools like Burp Suite to exploit weaknesses, access personal data, and initiate unauthorized transactions. Katie shares practical tips for beginners, making API hacking an inviting entry into cybersecurity and the bug bounty hunting realm.
23:46
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Quick takeaways
- Katie Paxton-Fear highlights the significance of creativity and problem-solving in API hacking, making it accessible to those lacking advanced technical skills.
- The podcast emphasizes practical experience and engagement with real applications and tools like Burp Suite for aspiring API hackers to enhance their capabilities.
Deep dives
Understanding API Security Challenges
APIs, which enable communication between different software systems, pose unique security challenges due to their design and functions. They are built primarily for computer-to-computer interaction but often include human-readable components, making them susceptible to vulnerabilities. For instance, an API may have numerous endpoints, and a single mistake in code can be exploited by hackers, especially if they lack advanced technical skills. Consequently, these flaws present an opportunity for penetration testing and learning about security from the perspective of a hacker.
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