Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Censys VS HackerOne

Compare Censys VS HackerOne and see what are their differences

Censys logo Censys

Censys helps organizations, individuals, and researchers find and monitor every server on the Internet to reduce exposure and improve security.

HackerOne logo HackerOne

HackerOne provides a platform designed to streamline vulnerability coordination and bug bounty program by enlisting hackers.
  • Censys Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-21

Attack Surface Management (ASM)

At Censys, we can see it all. Our world-leading attack surface management platform gives organizations a sixth sense โ€” relentlessly monitoring assets, seeing the unseen, and proactively giving security teams an opportunity to solve issues before they have a chance to take place.

This isnโ€™t security by defense. This is a system of vigilant offense that constantly looks at everything from HTTP hosts to message brokers to remote desktop exposure to network printers. Seeking potential breaches, shoring up leaks in your protocols, and mapping any potential weak points.

Discover & Investigate Internet Assets

Including, hosts, services, SaaS logins, websites, buckets, ICS/IoT devices - regardless of cloud, ac-count, network, or location for the ultimate system of record.

Conduct Rapid Response

Rapidly identify and secure Internet assets that may be exploited by a critical vulnerability.

Prioritize & Remediate Risk

Uncover, prioritize, and remediate critical risks (e.g., potential data loss, critical vulnerabilities, exposed devices/APIs/logins) within hours of coming online.

Identify Cloud Exposure

Pinpoint weaknesses in your cloud across all providers.

Manage Acquisition, Subsidiary & 3rd-Party Risk

Understand security risk associated with uncontrolled companies โ€” acquisitions, subsidiaries, contractors, and other dependencies.

  • HackerOne Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-22

Censys features and specs

  • Comprehensive Internet Scanning
    Censys provides extensive data on internet-facing assets, helping organizations understand their exposure and discover potential vulnerabilities across the network.
  • Real-time Monitoring
    Offers continuous monitoring of the internet to detect changes and vulnerabilities as soon as they occur, providing timely security insights.
  • Detailed Data Analysis
    Equipped with robust tools for data analysis, Censys enables users to dissect and interpret large volumes of data effectively, facilitating informed decision-making.
  • User-friendly Interface
    Censys features an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible for both technical and non-technical users to utilize the platform effectively.
  • API Access
    Offers API access which allows for seamless integration with other tools and platforms, enhancing workflow automation and data management capabilities.

Possible disadvantages of Censys

  • Data Overload
    The abundance of data provided can be overwhelming, especially for users without a background in cybersecurity who may struggle to interpret the results effectively.
  • Cost
    Censys services can be costly, potentially making it less accessible for smaller organizations or startups with limited budgets.
  • Learning Curve
    While the interface is user-friendly, the platform still requires time to learn and master, particularly for users without prior experience in cybersecurity or data analysis.
  • False Positives
    As with many scanning tools, there is the potential for false positives, which may require additional verification and analysis by the user.
  • Technical Dependencies
    Using Censys effectively often requires integration with other cybersecurity tools and platforms, which may require technical expertise and support.

HackerOne features and specs

  • Wide Range of Expertise
    HackerOne has a vast community of skilled ethical hackers, offering diverse expertise and perspectives to identify potential security vulnerabilities.
  • Scalability
    HackerOne caters to businesses of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises, providing flexible programs that can adapt to changing security needs.
  • Cost-Effective
    Compared to building and maintaining an in-house security team, using HackerOne can be more cost-effective, as you only pay for valid vulnerability reports.
  • Enhanced Security
    Engaging a wide range of skilled hackers increases the likelihood of uncovering hidden vulnerabilities, leading to a more robust security posture.
  • Reputation and Trust
    HackerOne is a well-respected platform in the cybersecurity community, which can enhance your organization's credibility and trust among customers and stakeholders.
  • Customized Programs
    HackerOne allows companies to create tailored bug bounty programs that align with specific security requirements and goals.
  • Continuous Improvement
    With ongoing interactions and new reports from ethical hackers, companies can continuously improve their security measures and stay ahead of emerging threats.

Possible disadvantages of HackerOne

  • Potential Overhead
    Managing and triaging a large volume of reports can be time-consuming and may require dedicated resources to handle effectively.
  • False Positives
    Some reported vulnerabilities may turn out to be false positives, requiring additional effort to verify and dismiss, which can be resource-intensive.
  • Confidentiality Risks
    Engaging external hackers increases the risk of sensitive information being exposed, although HackerOne implements strict confidentiality agreements and security measures.
  • Dependence on External Resources
    Relying on external hackers can create dependency, and organizations might lack the necessary skills internally to manage security issues independently.
  • Variable Quality of Reports
    The quality and detail of vulnerability reports can vary based on the skill level of the hacker, potentially leading to inconsistent findings.
  • Response Time
    While many hackers respond quickly, there may be delays in identifying and reporting some vulnerabilities due to the nature of crowdsourcing.
  • Cost Uncertainty
    The total cost can be unpredictable because it depends on the frequency and severity of vulnerabilities found, potentially leading to budgetary challenges.

Analysis of HackerOne

Overall verdict

  • Yes, HackerOne is generally considered good.

Why this product is good

  • HackerOne is a leading platform for coordinated vulnerability disclosure and bug bounty programs.
  • It has a large community of ethical hackers and security researchers who help companies identify and fix vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.
  • The platform offers a range of tools and services that streamline the process of managing and resolving security issues.
  • HackerOne has a proven track record of success with many prominent companies, including the U.S. Department of Defense, Google, and Microsoft, among others.
  • It fosters collaboration between companies and the security community, creating a mutually beneficial ecosystem focused on improving cybersecurity.

Recommended for

  • Organizations looking to improve their security posture by leveraging a global network of security researchers.
  • Companies seeking to implement a structured and scalable vulnerability disclosure or bug bounty program.
  • Businesses with a focus on continuous security testing and risk management.
  • Enterprises or startups in various industries, including technology, finance, and defense sectors, where security is a critical concern.

Censys videos

Attack Surface Management

HackerOne videos

BUG BOUNTY LIFE - Hackers on a boat.. (HackerOne h1-4420 - UBER - London)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Censys and HackerOne)
Web Application Security
100 100%
0% 0
Cyber Security
13 13%
87% 87
Security
100 100%
0% 0
Ethical Hacking
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Censys and HackerOne

Censys Reviews

We have no reviews of Censys yet.
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HackerOne Reviews

Top 5 bug bounty platforms in 2021
The analysis demonstrates that bug bounty platforms do not actively disclose the information even about their public programs. The US bug bounty platforms are recognized as the global leaders running the biggest number of bug bounties and encompassing up to 1 mln white hackers. However, the number of active hackers may be dozens of times lower than the number of registered...
Source: tealfeed.com

Social recommendations and mentions

HackerOne might be a bit more popular than Censys. We know about 17 links to it since March 2021 and only 13 links to Censys. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Censys mentions (13)

  • Arris NVG468MQ - get rid of it
    You should be able to see scans from censys.io, and other. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Tools for very basic security audits
    Some tools to consider: Gitleaks - open-source secret scanner for git repositories, files, and directories. Retire.js - dependency check tool for client JS code. Censys - Itโ€™s a search engine that you can use, for example, to scan any IP address And check open ports, software versions, location of the servers, etc. If you want to check more tools, you can download this free ebook with a list of recommended... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Is shodan api worthy for automation?
    You also have censys.io, but I do not have much experience with them. Source: over 2 years ago
  • I got scammed on this website https://www.sm5567.com/ At first they told me to top up 300 php and then i will get 100 profits in returned so on and so fort i already put up my money and they wont let me withdraw the money ive put up on the account. please help me on how to report this website
    Used censys.io to check website has IP real but not perfect to get it. Source: over 2 years ago
  • censys-scanner.com
    You can read up on them here : https://censys.io/. Source: about 3 years ago
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HackerOne mentions (17)

  • CSA: Be careful with NEW Firefox add-ons over long weekends
    Mozilla has a great security team and they have recently moved to HackerOne https://hackerone.com/. I don't understand where you get the basis for saying that mozilla employees don't work on weekends. Any facts or substantiation or just speculation? Source: over 2 years ago
  • Blazingly fast tool to grab screenshots of your domain list from terminal.
    You pick a target, for example hackerone.com. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Advice for a Software Engineer
    There are many resources online nowadays to learn security. You can do challenges on https://root-me.org, https://www.hackthebox.com/, https://overthewire.org/wargames/, etc. You can participate in security competitions (CTFs), see https://ctftime.org for a list of upcoming events. And finally if you are more interested in web security you can look for bugs on websites and get paid for it by https://hackerone.com... Source: over 2 years ago
  • itplrequest: how can i go about hacking for money?
    Do Bug bounty on https://hackerone.com. You'll get paid if you really know how to hack and write a report.alot oh cash rains in the thousands if you can pwn a computer that is in scope .plus its legal as long as you stay in scope. Source: over 2 years ago
  • About to apply
    Depending on what type of cybersecurity you want to do, there's other ways to set yourself apart as well. Another way I'd get confidence in someone's abilities is if they've made bug bounties on bugcrowd.com or hackerone.com, for example. Even then, at big companies those people still have to go through HR just like everybody else. Source: about 3 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Censys and HackerOne, you can also consider the following products

Shodan - Shodan is the world's first search engine for Internet-connected devices.

Acunetix - Audit your website security and web applications for SQL injection, Cross site scripting and other...

ZoomEye - Network mapping service

Trustwave Services - Trustwave is a leading cybersecurity and managed security services provider that helps businesses fight cybercrime, protect data and reduce security risk.

FOFA - FOFA is a Search Engine for global cyberspace mapping. Through continuous active detection of global Internet assets, identifying most software and hardware network assets.

Forcepoint Web Security Suite - Internet Security