Google is offering a $20,000 cash prize to anyone who can hack its new Cr-48 Chrome notebook computer. Google made the offer at the CanSecWest Pwn2Own contest, which will pit some of the world’s best hackers against the new notebook. The Cr-48 notebook uses the Chrome operating system, which currently is being beta tested by me and thousands of others. The contest pits hackers against browsers and in last year’s contest only the Chrome browser was left standing. But with a cash prize of $20,000, the hackers may be sharpening their skills to win the prize.

This years 12th annual conference will be held in March from the 9th through the 11th, in Vancouver, British Columbia.

One article also states:

According to Aaron Portnoy, the Manager of the Security Research Team at TippingPoint Technologies, this year’s prizes have grown to no less than $125,000. And as it is tradition for the security event, browsers will come under fire, with researchers that will attempt to “own” their victims in less than 30 minutes.

The hackers will also be trying to hack the new Internet Explorer 9 if available, the new Firefox 4 if available and Apples Safari browser as well. With prizes available for breaking through the browser security from different companies, it will be interesting to see who the winner is. As the popularity of Internet Explorer continues to slide, Microsoft will be placing a great deal of effort to make I.E. as secure as possible.

This year, hackers will also be able to hack a variety of cell phones including the Apple iPhone, Google Android, and Microsoft Windows 7 software.

Who do you think will be the winner[s]?

I believe it is going to be Chrome.

Comments welcome.

Source – Softpedia