Type of site computer help site Created by Lawrence Abrams Launched January 26, 2004 | Owner Bleeping Computer LLC. Registration Optional | |
Website www.bleepingcomputer.com | ||
Bleeping Computer is a computer help site founded by Lawrence Abrams in 2004. It is a resource site for answering computer, security, and technical questions. All services to the public are free, including malware and rootkit cleanup of infected computers and removal instructions on rogue anti-spyware programs. PC World magazine wrote about "sites like Bleeping Computer, where experienced volunteers offer tailored advice", and linked to a TechHive page that called it a good place to find unbiased information. Analysis by Bleeping Computer editors on newly detected ransomware families has been covered in major media ranging from NBC News to the BBC.
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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 has since requested financial aid from their readers to help pay legal fees arising from the lawsuit. At the beginning of August 2016, Bleeping Computer are filing their own lawsuit against Enigma Software for an alleged long-running smear campaign against Bleeping Computer.
Members, volunteers and staff
In May 2014 there were over 640,000 registered members, the vast majority 'regular' members. The membership also includes a significant proportion of members who work for the site, in varied roles, as volunteers. Volunteer roles include the Malware Response Team and Trainees and also BC Advisors. The site has an administration team, comprising the Administrator (owner), Site Administrators, Global Moderators and Moderators.
Forums
Bleeping Computer's forums have subsections devoted to several operating systems, broad classes of application software, and malicious software removal, as well as sections for web browsers, home and small business networking and the macOS operating system.
Malware removal
Bleeping Computer offers free one-to-one malware removal help to registered users via its support forums. All malware removal help is provided by volunteers trained in the use of anti-malware tools such as HijackThis, DDS, OTL, GMER, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, and Rkill, developed by Abrams.
Ransomware work
The CryptoLocker ransomware, believed to have appeared on 5 September 2013, was reported on Bleeping Computer the following day, with a long thread discussing the malware and recommended responses. Since then, Bleeping Computer's ransomware support topic forum has become very active, being often the first place where ransomware infections were spotted and reported.
Bleeping Computer editors, along with help from security researchers, have published reports on various ransomware families on a regular basis, as they're spotted in the wild. Their work has been recognized, acknowledged, and cited in various articles in most major media that covers technology and IT security news. The list includes ArsTechnica, the BBC, Business Insider, Computerworld, Engadget, Geek.com, Graham Cluley, HackRead, IBTimes, KrebsOnSecurity, Motherboard, NBC News, Networkworld, PCMag, SC Magazine, SecurityWeek, Softpedia, The Register, ThreatPost, Tom's Guide, and ZDNet.
Many times, free decryptors to unlock files encrypted by various ransomware families have been released through the forums or the site's news section.