Bleeping Computer

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.{{Cite web|date=17 February 2016|title=Behind the scenes of a free PC troubleshooting helpsite: Interview with BleepingComputer|url=https://blog.emsisoft.com/en/21482/behind-the-scenes-of-a-free-pc-troubleshooting-helpsite-interview-with-bleepingcomputer/|accessdate=7 October 2020|website=Emsisoft {{!}} Security Blog|archive-date=13 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013133649/https://blog.emsisoft.com/en/21482/behind-the-scenes-of-a-free-pc-troubleshooting-helpsite-interview-with-bleepingcomputer/|url-status=live}}

Since the CryptoLocker ransomware attack in September 2013, and a subsequent DDoS of the site due to its reporting on the new malware,{{Cite web|title=Information regarding October 10th's DDOS attack|url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/510432/information-regarding-october-10ths-ddos-attack/|accessdate=7 October 2020|website=BleepingComputer|archive-date=23 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423185328/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/510432/information-regarding-october-10ths-ddos-attack/|url-status=live}} Bleeping Computer has been reporting on new ransomware families as they are released.{{Cite web|title=Articles tagged with Ransomware|url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tag/ransomware/|accessdate=8 October 2020|website=BleepingComputer|archive-date=22 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922045530/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tag/ransomware/|url-status=live}}

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 {{Cite web|title=Garmin outage caused by confirmed WastedLocker ransomware attack|url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/garmin-outage-caused-by-confirmed-wastedlocker-ransomware-attack/|accessdate=7 October 2020|website=BleepingComputer|archive-date=27 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927190313/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/garmin-outage-caused-by-confirmed-wastedlocker-ransomware-attack/|url-status=live}}
- {{Cite web|title=Canon confirms ransomware attack in internal memo|url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/canon-confirms-ransomware-attack-in-internal-memo/|accessdate=7 October 2020|website=BleepingComputer|archive-date=13 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013075953/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/canon-confirms-ransomware-attack-in-internal-memo/|url-status=live}} and analysis of ransomware{{Cite web|title=DarkSide: New targeted ransomware demands million dollar ransoms|url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/darkside-new-targeted-ransomware-demands-million-dollar-ransoms/|accessdate=7 October 2020|website=BleepingComputer|archive-date=20 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920103804/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/darkside-new-targeted-ransomware-demands-million-dollar-ransoms/|url-status=live}} and malware.{{Cite web|title=Fake VPN Site Pushes CryptBot and Vidar Info-Stealing Trojans|url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/fake-vpn-site-pushes-cryptbot-and-vidar-info-stealing-trojans/|accessdate=7 October 2020|website=BleepingComputer|archive-date=29 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129183951/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/fake-vpn-site-pushes-cryptbot-and-vidar-info-stealing-trojans/|url-status=live}}

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.{{Cite web|title=TeslaDecoder released to decrypt .EXX, .EZZ, .ECC files encrypted by TeslaCrypt|url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/576600/tesladecoder-released-to-decrypt-exx-ezz-ecc-files-encrypted-by-teslacrypt/|accessdate=7 October 2020|website=BleepingComputer|archive-date=13 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113162301/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/576600/tesladecoder-released-to-decrypt-exx-ezz-ecc-files-encrypted-by-teslacrypt/|url-status=live}}
- {{Cite web|title=ECh0raix Ransomware Decryptor Restores QNAP Files For Free|url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/ransomware/decryptor/ech0raix-ransomware-decryptor-restores-qnap-files-for-free/|accessdate=7 October 2020|website=BleepingComputer|archive-date=7 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107234107/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/ransomware/decryptor/ech0raix-ransomware-decryptor-restores-qnap-files-for-free/|url-status=live}}
- {{Cite web|title=Windows Ransomware Decryptors Downloads|url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/windows/ransomware-decryptors/|accessdate=7 October 2020|website=BleepingComputer|archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111194113/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/windows/ransomware-decryptors/|url-status=live}}

Government agencies have included Bleeping Computer cybersecurity articles and analysis in numerous advisories.{{Cite web |date=15 February 2018 |title=Petya Ransomware |url=https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/alerts/TA17-181A |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014081117/https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/alerts/TA17-181A |archive-date=14 October 2020 |accessdate=7 October 2020 |publisher=CISA}}
- {{Cite web |date=17 June 2019 |title=Microsoft Operating Systems BlueKeep Vulnerability |url=https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/alerts/AA19-168A |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015033921/https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/alerts/AA19-168A |archive-date=15 October 2020 |accessdate=7 October 2020 |publisher=CISA}}
- {{Cite web |title=Customer Alerts: Frauds and Scams |url=https://fiscal.treasury.gov/news/customer-alerts-frauds-scams.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016162826/https://fiscal.treasury.gov/news/customer-alerts-frauds-scams.html |archive-date=16 October 2020 |accessdate=7 October 2020 |publisher=US Treasury}}
- {{Cite web |title=Cybersecuritybeeld Nederland CSBN 2019 |url=https://www.politie.nl/binaries/content/assets/politie/nieuws/2019/cybersecuritybeeld-nederland-2019-webversie.pdf |accessdate=6 January 2019 |publisher=Nationaal Coördinator Terrorismebestrijding en Veiligheid |language=nl}}{{Dead url|date=July 2024}}
- {{Cite web |title=LokiBot Malware |url=https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/alerts/aa20-266a |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002130248/https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/alerts/aa20-266a |archive-date=2 October 2020 |accessdate=7 October 2020 |publisher=CISA}}{{Cite web|title=Emotet Malware|publisher=CISA|url=https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/alerts/aa20-280a|accessdate=7 October 2020|archive-date=7 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007012611/https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/alerts/aa20-280a|url-status=live}}

Bleeping Computer's reporting has been cited by major media that cover technology and IT security news.{{cite news|date=4 January 2016|title=Easy-to-use ransomware code discovered|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-35224859|access-date=21 June 2018|archive-date=27 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127070229/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-35224859|url-status=live}}
- {{cite news|title=Hackers are now offering 'customer support' to the victims they extort money from|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/ransomware-writers-offer-customer-support-to-victims-2016-1|website=Business Insider|first=Dan|last=Turkel|date=9 January 2016|access-date=14 November 2016|archive-date=15 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115071610/http://www.businessinsider.com/ransomware-writers-offer-customer-support-to-victims-2016-1|url-status=live}}
- {{cite news|last=Storm|first=Darlene|date=10 August 2016|title=Thugs developing cat-themed ransomware for Androids and Hitler ransomware for PCs|url=http://www.computerworld.com/article/3106056/security/thugs-developing-cat-themed-ransomware-for-androids-and-hitler-ransomware-for-pcs.html|website=Computer World|access-date=14 November 2016|archive-date=15 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115131850/http://www.computerworld.com/article/3106056/security/thugs-developing-cat-themed-ransomware-for-androids-and-hitler-ransomware-for-pcs.html|url-status=live}}
- {{cite magazine|title=Cybercrime Gets Personal|url=http://time.com/money/page/ransomware-remove-prevention/|magazine=Time|access-date=23 May 2017|archive-date=10 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510075111/http://time.com/money/page/ransomware-remove-prevention/|url-status=dead}}
- {{cite web|last=Smith|first=Ms.|date=27 September 2016|title=Ransomware targets government, others honor Donald Trump and Voldemort|url=http://www.networkworld.com/article/3124913/security/ransomware-roundup-targeting-servers-government-honoring-donald-trump-and-voldemort.html|website=Network World|access-date=14 November 2016}}
- {{cite news|title=Malware Uses Fake PCMag Review as 'Proof'|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2341353,00.asp|website=PCMag|access-date=24 August 2017|archive-date=8 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908154319/https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2341353,00.asp|url-status=live}}
- {{Cite news|last=Chokshi|first=Niraj|date=22 May 2019|title=Hackers Are Holding Baltimore Hostage: How They Struck and What's Next|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/22/us/baltimore-ransomware.html|accessdate=7 October 2020|issn=0362-4331|url-access=subscription|archive-date=4 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004001829/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/22/us/baltimore-ransomware.html|url-status=live}}
- {{Cite news|last=Bajak|first=Frank|title=Garmin acknowledges cyberattack, doesn't mention ransomware|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/garmin-acknowledges-cyberattack-doesnt-mention-ransomware/2020/07/27/3aabefde-d043-11ea-826b-cc394d824e35_story.html|accessdate=7 October 2020|issn=0190-8286|agency=Associated Press}}
- {{Cite news|last=Crothers|first=Brooke|date=5 December 2019|title=Smith & Wesson targeted in cyberattack, report says|url=https://www.foxnews.com/tech/smith-wesson-targeted-in-cyber-attack-report-says|accessdate=7 October 2020|website=Fox News|archive-date=10 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010061734/https://www.foxnews.com/tech/smith-wesson-targeted-in-cyber-attack-report-says|url-status=live}}
- {{Cite news|date=19 April 2020|title=Cognizant hit by 'Maze' ransomware attack|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cognizant-tech-cyber-idUSKBN2200YA|accessdate=7 October 2020|archive-date=23 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923174011/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cognizant-tech-cyber-idUSKBN2200YA|url-status=live}}
- {{Cite news|last=Stanglin|first=Doug|title=N.C. county rejects hackers' $26K ransom demand to unlock infected computers|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/12/07/county-rejects-hackers-26-k-ransom-demand-unlock-infected-computers/930131001/|accessdate=7 October 2020|website=USA Today|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009193818/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/12/07/county-rejects-hackers-26-k-ransom-demand-unlock-infected-computers/930131001/|url-status=live}}

The site used to offer a malware removal training program{{Cite web|last=Elise|title=Malware Removal Training Program - Virus, Trojan, Spyware, and Malware Removal Help|url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/532535/malware-removal-training-program/|accessdate=7 October 2020|website=BleepingComputer|archive-date=20 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220224935/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/532535/malware-removal-training-program/|url-status=live}} through its forums that teaches volunteers how to remove Windows infections using various tools, including Combofix, HijackThis, DDS,{{cite web|title=Am I Infected? What do I do? How do I get help? Who is helping me? - Am I infected? What do I do?|url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic182397.html|website=Bleeping Computer|access-date=19 September 2018|archive-date=2 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202102455/http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic182397.html|url-status=live}} OTL, GMER, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and Rkill,{{cite web|title=RKill - What it does and What it Doesn't - A brief introduction to the program - Anti-Virus, Anti-Malware, and Privacy Software|url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/308364/rkill-what-it-does-and-what-it-doesnt-a-brief-introduction-to-the-program/|website=Bleeping Computer|access-date=19 September 2018|archive-date=23 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923110418/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/308364/rkill-what-it-does-and-what-it-doesnt-a-brief-introduction-to-the-program/|url-status=live}} developed by Abrams.

In October 2020, there were over 840,000 registered members on the site.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}}

In early February 2016, Enigma Software, the developers of the anti-malware suite SpyHunter, filed a lawsuit{{Cite web|url=http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/enigma-software-sues-bleepingcomputer/|title=Enigma Software sues BleepingComputer for a smear campaign|website=Digital Trends|accessdate=16 March 2016|date=8 February 2016|archive-date=16 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316070953/http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/enigma-software-sues-bleepingcomputer/|url-status=live}} against Bleeping Computer in response to a negative review of SpyHunter, alleging a campaign to damage the reputation of their company and product.{{Cite news|url = http://www.networkworld.com/article/3029641/security/bleepingcomputer-under-free-speech-attack-as-spyhunter-makers-sue-over-bad-review.html|title = BleepingComputer under free speech attack as SpyHunter makers sue over bad review|last = Smith|first = Ms.|website = Network World|access-date = 16 March 2016|date = 3 February 2016|archive-date = 10 March 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160310081818/http://www.networkworld.com/article/3029641/security/bleepingcomputer-under-free-speech-attack-as-spyhunter-makers-sue-over-bad-review.html|url-status = dead}} Bleeping Computer requested financial aid from its readers to help pay legal fees arising from the lawsuit.{{Cite web|url = https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/announcement/frivolous-lawsuits/help-bleepingcomputer-defend-freedom-of-speech/|title = Help BleepingComputer Defend Freedom of Speech|website = BleepingComputer|accessdate =16 March 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160317032403/http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/announcement/frivolous-lawsuits/help-bleepingcomputer-defend-freedom-of-speech/|archivedate =17 March 2016|url-status = dead}} At the beginning of August 2016, Bleeping Computer filed{{Cite web|url=https://www.bleepstatic.com/legal/BleepingComputer-Reply-Counterclaim.pdf|title=BleepingComputer's lawsuit document|date=|website=Bleepstatic|accessdate=10 August 2016|archive-date=20 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820123007/http://www.bleepstatic.com/legal/BleepingComputer-Reply-Counterclaim.pdf|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/announcement/bleepingcomputer/press-release/ |title=Press Release |last=Abrams |first=Lawrence |date=March 1, 2017 |website=BleepingComputer |accessdate=22 September 2017 |archive-date=7 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407040411/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/announcement/bleepingcomputer/press-release/ |url-status=live }}

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