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Project Zero hacking contest targets remote code execution flaws

Google's Project Zero unveiled an Android hacking contest that aims to discover flaws on the Nexus 6P and 5X devices.

The contest promises a $200,000 top prize to hackers who find a bug chain or flaw that leads to remote code execution of a Nexus device with knowledge of only the device's phone number and email address. Second and third prize winners will be awarded $100,000 and $50,000. The contest runs until 11:59 pm Pacific Time March 14, 2017.

Nexus devices, co-developed by Google, play a primary role in the company's mobile security focus as other Google manufacturers issue patches inconsistently. In July, Duo Security found that 66% of Nexus devices had received the latest available security patches, while only 18% of non-Nexus devices contained the most recent updates.

In June, it was reported that Google was exploring plans to develop and manufacture its own non-Nexus Android devices. Last year, Google expanded its bug bounty program to include the Android operating system and mobile devices.

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