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Bleeping Computer

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Bleeping Computer
Type of site
Technology news and computer help site
OwnerBleeping Computer LLC.
Created byLawrence Abrams
URLwww.bleepingcomputer.com
RegistrationOptional
LaunchedJanuary 26, 2004; 20 years ago (2004-01-26)[1]
Current statusOnline

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. The site offers "unbiased information"[2] and "experienced volunteers offer tailored advice".[3]

Analysis by Bleeping Computer editors on newly detected ransomware families has been covered in major media ranging from NBC News to the BBC.

Community

Members, volunteers and staff

As of July 2019 there were over 700,000 registered members, the vast majority 'regular' members.[4] 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.[5]

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,[6] OTL, GMER, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, and Rkill,[7] developed by Abrams.

Ransomware work

Since the CryptoLocker ransomware attack in September 2013, Bleeping Computer's ransomware support topic forum has become very active.[citation needed] 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.[8][9][10][11][12][13]

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

In 2018, Bleeping Computer was added as an associate partner to the Europol NoMoreRansom project [14] for the ransomware information and decryption tools provided by the site.

Resources

Tutorials

Bleeping Computer has a large library of free tutorials [15] covering the basics of TCP/IP, hardware configuration, partition management, internet security, and other topics. The site also includes mini guides such as "How to Re-Install Windows", "How to Install and Use Ubuntu or any version of Linux", and guides on removal of common malware infections.

Malware removal training program

Bleeping Computer offers a malware removal training program[16] at Sophomore, Junior, and Senior levels. It is UNITE-accredited.[17]

Databases

Bleeping Computer maintains several databases of common programs, startup entries and files found in Microsoft Windows operating systems, including malware, with information on them.

Lawsuit with Enigma Software over SpyHunter review

In early February 2016, Enigma Software, the developers of the anti-malware suite SpyHunter, filed a lawsuit[18] against Bleeping Computer in response to a negative review of SpyHunter, alleging a campaign to damage the reputation of their company and product.[19] Bleeping Computer requested financial aid from their readers to help pay legal fees arising from the lawsuit.[20] At the beginning of August 2016, Bleeping Computer filed[21] their own lawsuit against Enigma Software for an alleged long-running smear campaign against Bleeping Computer.[21] The lawsuit against BleepingComputer ended in settlement, with BleepingComputer removing Quietman7's posts on Enigma Software's product.[22]

References

  1. ^ "Bleeping Computer Technical Support Forums". Bleeping Computer.
  2. ^ Jon L. Jacobi (2007-09-18). "Junkbusters!". PC World.
  3. ^ Jon L. Jacobi (2009-06-17). "Coordinated Malware Resists Eradication". PC World.
  4. ^ Bleeping Computer's Member List Archived December 23, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ "Bleeping Computer Membership Descriptions - BleepingComputer Announcements, Comments, & Suggestions". Bleeping Computer.
  6. ^ "Am I Infected? What do I do? How do I get help? Who is helping me? - Am I infected? What do I do?". Bleeping Computer.
  7. ^ "RKill - What it does and What it Doesn't - A brief introduction to the program - Anti-Virus, Anti-Malware, and Privacy Software". Bleeping Computer.
  8. ^ "Easy-to-use ransomware code discovered". BBC News. 4 January 2016 – via www.bbc.com.
  9. ^ "Hackers are now offering 'customer support' to the victims they extort money from". businessinsider.com.
  10. ^ Storm, Darlene (2016-08-10). "Thugs developing cat-themed ransomware for Androids and Hitler ransomware for PCs". computerworld.com.
  11. ^ "Cybercrime Gets Personal". Time Inc.
  12. ^ Smith, Ms. (2016-09-27). "Ransomware targets government, others honor Donald Trump and Voldemort". networkworld.com.
  13. ^ "Malware Uses Fake PCMag Review as 'Proof'". pcmag.com.
  14. ^ "Join the global 'No More Ransom' initiative to help more victims fight back". Europol. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
  15. ^ "Tutorials & Tech Support Guide". Bleeping Computer.
  16. ^ "BleepingComputer.com - Malware and Spyware Removal School Admissions". Bleeping Computer.
  17. ^ Unified Network of Instructors and Trained Eliminators, list of schools Archived August 4, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  18. ^ "Enigma Software sues BleepingComputer for a smear campaign". Digital Trends. 2016-02-08. Retrieved 2016-03-16.
  19. ^ Smith, Ms. (2016-02-03). "BleepingComputer under free speech attack as SpyHunter makers sue over bad review". Network World. Retrieved 2016-03-16.
  20. ^ "Help BleepingComputer Defend Freedom of Speech". BleepingComputer. Archived from the original on 2016-03-17. Retrieved 2016-03-16.
  21. ^ a b "BleepingComputer's lawsuit document" (PDF). bleepstatic.com. Retrieved 2016-08-10.
  22. ^ Abrams, Lawrence (March 1, 2017). "Press Release". BleepingComputer. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
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