Bleeping Computer

History

BleepingComputer was founded in 2004 after Abrams could not find existing technical support sites that could offer easy-to-understand instructions for his friends and family.

The domain name bleepingcomputer.com originates from the sounds made by a broken computer and because a user might want to curse at a computer when it does not work properly.

Since the CryptoLocker ransomware attack in September 2013, and a subsequent DDoS of the site due to its reporting on the new malware, Bleeping Computer has been reporting on new ransomware families as they are released.

Content

The articles published at Bleeping Computer are categorized as news articles, tutorials and virus removal guides. Its content includes searchable databases for looking up Windows start-up programs and uninstall entries, as well as a free Internet forum to receive computer help.

The site covers news released by researchers and companies, but also performs in-house investigative reporting and analysis of ransomware and malware.

Free decryptors to unlock files encrypted by various ransomware families have been released through the forums or the site's news section by third-party researchers.

Government agencies have included Bleeping Computer cybersecurity articles and analysis in numerous advisories.

Bleeping Computer's reporting has been cited by major media that cover technology and IT security news.

The site used to offer a malware removal training program through its forums that teaches volunteers how to remove Windows infections using various tools, including Combofix, HijackThis, DDS, OTL, GMER, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and Rkill, developed by Abrams.

In October 2020, there were over 840,000 registered members on the site.

Legal issues

In early February 2016, Enigma Software, the developers of the anti-malware suite SpyHunter, filed a lawsuit against Bleeping Computer in response to a negative review of SpyHunter, alleging a campaign to damage the reputation of their company and product. Bleeping Computer requested financial aid from its readers to help pay legal fees arising from the lawsuit. At the beginning of August 2016, Bleeping Computer filed its own lawsuit against Enigma Software for an alleged long-running smear campaign against Bleeping Computer. The lawsuit against BleepingComputer ended in settlement, with BleepingComputer removing Quietman7's posts on Enigma Software's product.

References

References

1. "Bleeping Computer Technical Support Forums".
2. "Join the global 'No More Ransom' initiative to help more victims fight back". Europol.
3. (17 February 2016). "Behind the scenes of a free PC troubleshooting helpsite: Interview with BleepingComputer".
4. "Information regarding October 10th's DDOS attack".
5. "Articles tagged with Ransomware".
6. "Garmin outage caused by confirmed WastedLocker ransomware attack".
7. "DarkSide: New targeted ransomware demands million dollar ransoms".
8. "Fake VPN Site Pushes CryptBot and Vidar Info-Stealing Trojans".
9. "TeslaDecoder released to decrypt .EXX, .EZZ, .ECC files encrypted by TeslaCrypt".
10. (15 February 2018). "Petya Ransomware". CISA}}
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11. "Emotet Malware". CISA.
12. Turkel, Dan. (4 January 2016). "Easy-to-use ransomware code discovered". BBC News.
13. Elise. "Malware Removal Training Program - Virus, Trojan, Spyware, and Malware Removal Help".
14. "Am I Infected? What do I do? How do I get help? Who is helping me? - Am I infected? What do I do?".
15. "RKill - What it does and What it Doesn't - A brief introduction to the program - Anti-Virus, Anti-Malware, and Privacy Software".
16. (8 February 2016). "Enigma Software sues BleepingComputer for a smear campaign".
17. Smith, Ms.. (3 February 2016). "BleepingComputer under free speech attack as SpyHunter makers sue over bad review".
18. "Help BleepingComputer Defend Freedom of Speech".
19. "BleepingComputer's lawsuit document".
20. Abrams, Lawrence. (March 1, 2017). "Press Release".