Thinking of TikTok as the place to discover new recipes and chuckle at amusing clips, one cannot overlook the cybersecurity worries associated with the platform. Nevertheless, TikTok is making efforts in recent times to uphold cybersecurity standards through its various initiatives and outreach. To showcase its endeavors, TikTok marked the Cybersecurity Month by emphasizing its commitment to cybersecurity and showcasing cybersecurity creators on TikTok.
The Global Bug Bounty initiative with HackerOne
During the Cybersecurity Month, the social media network disclosed the outcomes of its bug bounty program. In 2020, TikTok collaborated with HackerOne and introduced its Global Bug Bounty initiative, which encourages security researchers to report vulnerabilities in TikTok. Over the last four years, more than 450 security researchers identified 1,000 security flaws that were reported to TikTok’s security teams. The program also granted over $1.6 million in rewards to the researchers.
As part of the initiative, TikTok arranged its inaugural live hacking event in August, featuring over 50 researchers from 29 countries. The event was not your typical conference room affair but a grand showcase with vibrant lights in Vegas, creating an exhilarating ambiance for the attendees. A live leaderboard took center stage, with bounty amounts escalating, and the constant “cha chings” that hackers labeled as the sound of money. To enhance the invigorating atmosphere, TikTok disbursed over $720,000 in rewards.
Leading TikTok cybersecurity influencers
Surprisingly, the platform is home to several creators who concentrate on advocating cybersecurity and educating users on safe online practices — both within TikTok and in broader contexts. Here are two of the prominent cybersecurity influencers on TikTok:
Kevin @adjacentnode
Kevin serves as a network engineer for Hillsborough County in Florida, overseeing network operations and enhancing the jurisdiction’s security defenses. He adopts a direct approach, speaking to the camera and sharing content that is relatable and concise — no need to worry about lengthy videos on his feed. You can tell he means business when he dons his trademark black baseball hat along with his glasses simultaneously.
Aside from network engineer-related content, such as his unboxing video of Flipper Zero and the top 5 essentials for network engineers, he places a strong emphasis on cybersecurity. For instance, he divulges his insights on cybersecurity practices, like detecting new scripts in Open Port, and even jests about his belated awareness. He excels at simplifying intricate security concepts for non-tech-savvy individuals, with his Man in the Middle Tutorial gaining particular acclaim. Moreover, his video explaining why relying on free public Wi-Fi is risky — featuring his trademark backward hat — effectively illustrates the ease of compromising data and devices. His interactive demonstrations with a touch of drama make the videos both engaging and enlightening. While his portrayal of a sinister hacker leans towards the cheesy side, his discourse on social engineering delivers a crucial message in a light-hearted manner about individuals being the biggest cybersecurity threat to themselves.
Yet, Kevin’s feed is not solely dedicated to #techtok. Although not directly focused on cybersecurity, Kevin’s instructional video on dressing like an office IT charmer is on point and amusing. Rest assured, you will crack a smile at his workout routine tailored for network engineers.
Marcus @itsmarcushutchins
You may not have been familiar with Marcus Hutchins, who gained acclaim for halting the WannaCry ransomware assault by activating a domain triggering a kill switch. A featured post on his profile candidly narrates the turn of events that disrupted his life post-saving the internet, leading to subsequent incarceration. Now, transitioning from his initial role as an anonymous blogger with a corporate VP side job, he imparts his cybersecurity expertise through his TikTok channel to fellow professionals and lay users alike. Though straightforward in production, his videos are punctuated with humorous clips and captions straddling the line between cheesiness and humor.
With his notable British accent and down-to-earth demeanor, Marcus offers a refreshing perspective, resembling a tech-savvy friend explaining concepts over a coffee. Marcus particularly excels in elucidating ongoing cyber attacks devoid of media sensationalism or technical jargon. His presentations on the CrowdStrike Outage and AT&T Database breach highlight his adeptness.
His multipart series illustrating how hackers employ keyless entry to steal cars effectively simplifies the complex concept of relay attacks. Additionally, Marcus imparts consumer-oriented cybersecurity advice, such as explaining why purchasing a low-cost Wi-Fi security camera is ill-advised, potential hazards of others viewing your search history via Wi-Fi, and determining the most secure smartphone against hacking. While not directly related to cybersecurity, his rationale for appraising new technologies cautiously sparks contemplation on comprehending manual processes beforehand.
Given his transition from white hat to black hat hacker in his career, Marcus shares insights on contentious subjects like the legality of teaching hacking and the point where malware development crosses the legal boundary. Moreover, Marcus extends support to aspiring professionals by dispensing cybersecurity career guidance on his feed. Recognizing the challenges faced by entry-level engineers in securing positions, he imparts practical tips on acquiring the expertise of a senior engineer sans the official title.
TikTok and its role in cybersecurity
In recent times, TikTok has prioritized bolstering its cybersecurity measures and serves as a platform for numerous cybersecurity content creators. Despite these positive strides, genuine security concerns still persist on the platform. By adhering to cybersecurity protocols while engaging on the platform, creators and viewers alike can simultaneously glean insights on cybersecurity and enjoy entertaining music videos.