Web-browser developers like to talk the talk about being more secure. But it’s at the CanSecWest security conference that they have to walk the walk as hackers compete for over half-a-million dollars in cash and prizes during the HP Zero Day Initiative’s (ZDI) annual Pwn2Own competition.

In previous years, Pwn2Own competitors fought to break into Web browsers. For the first time, hackers will also be tackling browser plug-in vulnerabilities as well.

According to Brian Gorenc, the manager of the Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) at HP DVLabs, “Over the last several years, we have seen browser plug-in vulnerabilities become increasingly popular in exploit kits and malware. These vulnerabilities affect a large percentage of the Internet community and are quickly weaponized by attackers. That being said, we are not forgetting about the browser, as we will again be focusing on finding, demonstrating, and responsibly disclosing vulnerabilities in all the popular web browsers.”

Big bugs, big bucks: Pwn2Own awards reach half a million. More >