Pwn2Own

lore

securityevents

The hacking contest founded at CanSecWest in 2007 where researchers compromise fully patched software - browsers, operating systems, phones, and later cars - live, for cash and for the device itself. Working exploits are handed to the vendors under coordinated disclosure.

It began as an argument: a Mac was put on a table with a sign saying take it if you can, after years of claims that the platform was immune. Pwn2Own turned the zero-day into a legitimate market with rules, gave vendors a hard annual deadline they cannot spin, and is where much of the public evidence about browser and phone security actually comes from.

Also known as: pwn to own, cansecwest contest

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