Bleeping Computer Explained

Bleeping Computer
Logo Alt:The word "BLEEPINGCOMPUTER" is displayed in white lowercase letters over a dark blue background.
Type:Technology news and computer help
Registration:Optional
Language:English
Owner:Bleeping Computer LLC.
Author:Lawrence Abrams
Launch Date:[1]
Current Status:Online

Bleeping Computer is a website covering technology news and offering free computer help via its forums that was created by Lawrence Abrams in 2004. It publishes news focusing heavily on cybersecurity, but also covers other topics including computer software, computer hardware, operating system and general technology.

In 2018, Bleeping Computer was added as an associate partner to the Europol NoMoreRansom project for the ransomware information and decryption tools provided by the site.[2]

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.[3]

Since the CryptoLocker ransomware attack in September 2013, and a subsequent DDoS of the site due to its reporting on the new malware,[4] Bleeping Computer has been reporting on new ransomware families as they are released.[5]

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 [6] and analysis of ransomware[7] and malware.[8]

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.[9]

Government agencies have included Bleeping Computer cybersecurity articles and analysis in numerous advisories.[10] [11]

Bleeping Computer's reporting has been cited by major media that cover technology and IT security news.[12]

The site used to offer a malware removal training program[13] through its forums that teaches volunteers how to remove Windows infections using various tools, including Combofix, HijackThis, DDS,[14] OTL, GMER, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and Rkill,[15] 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[16] against Bleeping Computer in response to a negative review of SpyHunter, alleging a campaign to damage the reputation of their company and product.[17] Bleeping Computer requested financial aid from its readers to help pay legal fees arising from the lawsuit.[18] At the beginning of August 2016, Bleeping Computer filed[19] 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.[20]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bleeping Computer Technical Support Forums. Bleeping Computer. 19 September 2018. 1 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181001042603/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/. live.
  2. Web site: Join the global 'No More Ransom' initiative to help more victims fight back . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200611034949/https://www.europol.europa.eu/newsroom/news/join-global-%E2%80%98no-more-ransom%E2%80%99-initiative-to-help-more-victims-fight-back . 11 June 2020 . 11 June 2020 . Europol.
  3. Web site: 17 February 2016. Behind the scenes of a free PC troubleshooting helpsite: Interview with BleepingComputer. 7 October 2020. Emsisoft Security Blog. 13 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201013133649/https://blog.emsisoft.com/en/21482/behind-the-scenes-of-a-free-pc-troubleshooting-helpsite-interview-with-bleepingcomputer/. live.
  4. Web site: Information regarding October 10th's DDOS attack. 7 October 2020. BleepingComputer. 23 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230423185328/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/510432/information-regarding-october-10ths-ddos-attack/. live.
  5. Web site: Articles tagged with Ransomware. 8 October 2020. BleepingComputer. 22 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200922045530/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tag/ransomware/. live.
  6. Web site: Garmin outage caused by confirmed WastedLocker ransomware attack. 7 October 2020. BleepingComputer. 27 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200927190313/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/garmin-outage-caused-by-confirmed-wastedlocker-ransomware-attack/. live.
    - Web site: Canon confirms ransomware attack in internal memo. 7 October 2020. BleepingComputer. 13 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201013075953/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/canon-confirms-ransomware-attack-in-internal-memo/. live.
  7. Web site: DarkSide: New targeted ransomware demands million dollar ransoms. 7 October 2020. BleepingComputer. 20 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200920103804/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/darkside-new-targeted-ransomware-demands-million-dollar-ransoms/. live.
  8. Web site: Fake VPN Site Pushes CryptBot and Vidar Info-Stealing Trojans. 7 October 2020. BleepingComputer. 29 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210129183951/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/fake-vpn-site-pushes-cryptbot-and-vidar-info-stealing-trojans/. live.
  9. Web site: TeslaDecoder released to decrypt .EXX, .EZZ, .ECC files encrypted by TeslaCrypt. 7 October 2020. BleepingComputer. 13 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201113162301/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/576600/tesladecoder-released-to-decrypt-exx-ezz-ecc-files-encrypted-by-teslacrypt/. live.
    - Web site: ECh0raix Ransomware Decryptor Restores QNAP Files For Free. 7 October 2020. BleepingComputer. 7 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201107234107/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/ransomware/decryptor/ech0raix-ransomware-decryptor-restores-qnap-files-for-free/. live.
    - Web site: Windows Ransomware Decryptors Downloads. 7 October 2020. BleepingComputer. 11 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201111194113/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/windows/ransomware-decryptors/. live.
  10. Web site: 15 February 2018 . Petya Ransomware . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201014081117/https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/alerts/TA17-181A . 14 October 2020 . 7 October 2020 . CISA.
    - Web site: 17 June 2019 . Microsoft Operating Systems BlueKeep Vulnerability . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201015033921/https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/alerts/AA19-168A . 15 October 2020 . 7 October 2020 . CISA.
    - Web site: Customer Alerts: Frauds and Scams . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201016162826/https://fiscal.treasury.gov/news/customer-alerts-frauds-scams.html . 16 October 2020 . 7 October 2020 . US Treasury.
    - Web site: Cybersecuritybeeld Nederland CSBN 2019 . 6 January 2019 . Nationaal Coördinator Terrorismebestrijding en Veiligheid . nl.
    - Web site: LokiBot Malware . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201002130248/https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/alerts/aa20-266a . 2 October 2020 . 7 October 2020 . CISA.
  11. Web site: Emotet Malware. CISA. 7 October 2020. 7 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201007012611/https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/alerts/aa20-280a. live.
  12. News: 4 January 2016. Easy-to-use ransomware code discovered. BBC News. 21 June 2018. 27 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181127070229/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-35224859. live.
    - News: Hackers are now offering 'customer support' to the victims they extort money from. Business Insider. Dan. Turkel. 9 January 2016. 14 November 2016. 15 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161115071610/http://www.businessinsider.com/ransomware-writers-offer-customer-support-to-victims-2016-1. live.
    - News: Storm. Darlene. 10 August 2016. Thugs developing cat-themed ransomware for Androids and Hitler ransomware for PCs. Computer World. 14 November 2016. 15 November 2016. 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. live.
    - Cybercrime Gets Personal. Time. 23 May 2017. 10 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170510075111/http://time.com/money/page/ransomware-remove-prevention/. dead.
    - Web site: Smith. Ms.. 27 September 2016. Ransomware targets government, others honor Donald Trump and Voldemort. Network World. 14 November 2016.
    - News: Malware Uses Fake PCMag Review as 'Proof'. PCMag. 24 August 2017. 8 September 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170908154319/https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2341353,00.asp. live.
    - News: Chokshi. Niraj. 22 May 2019. Hackers Are Holding Baltimore Hostage: How They Struck and What's Next. The New York Times. 7 October 2020. 0362-4331. subscription. 4 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201004001829/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/22/us/baltimore-ransomware.html. live.
    - News: Bajak. Frank. Garmin acknowledges cyberattack, doesn't mention ransomware. Washington Post. 7 October 2020. 0190-8286. Associated Press.
    - News: Crothers. Brooke. 5 December 2019. Smith & Wesson targeted in cyberattack, report says. 7 October 2020. Fox News. 10 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201010061734/https://www.foxnews.com/tech/smith-wesson-targeted-in-cyber-attack-report-says. live.
    - News: 19 April 2020. Cognizant hit by 'Maze' ransomware attack. Reuters. 7 October 2020. 23 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200923174011/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cognizant-tech-cyber-idUSKBN2200YA. live.
    - News: Stanglin. Doug. N.C. county rejects hackers' $26K ransom demand to unlock infected computers. 7 October 2020. USA Today. 9 October 2020. 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/. live.
  13. Web site: Elise. Malware Removal Training Program - Virus, Trojan, Spyware, and Malware Removal Help. 7 October 2020. BleepingComputer. 20 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211220224935/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/532535/malware-removal-training-program/. live.
  14. Web site: 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. 19 September 2018. 2 February 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130202102455/http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic182397.html. live.
  15. Web site: RKill - What it does and What it Doesn't - A brief introduction to the program - Anti-Virus, Anti-Malware, and Privacy Software. Bleeping Computer. 19 September 2018. 23 September 2018. 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/. live.
  16. Web site: Enigma Software sues BleepingComputer for a smear campaign. Digital Trends. 16 March 2016. 8 February 2016. 16 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160316070953/http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/enigma-software-sues-bleepingcomputer/. live.
  17. News: BleepingComputer under free speech attack as SpyHunter makers sue over bad review. Smith. Ms.. Network World. 16 March 2016. 3 February 2016. 10 March 2016. 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. dead.
  18. Web site: Help BleepingComputer Defend Freedom of Speech. BleepingComputer. 16 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160317032403/http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/announcement/frivolous-lawsuits/help-bleepingcomputer-defend-freedom-of-speech/. 17 March 2016. dead.
  19. Web site: BleepingComputer's lawsuit document. Bleepstatic. 10 August 2016. 20 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160820123007/http://www.bleepstatic.com/legal/BleepingComputer-Reply-Counterclaim.pdf. live.
  20. Web site: Press Release . Abrams . Lawrence . March 1, 2017 . BleepingComputer . 22 September 2017 . 7 April 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170407040411/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/announcement/bleepingcomputer/press-release/ . live .

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Bleeping Computer".

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