BleepingComputer
BleepingComputer is a free, ad-supported cybersecurity news and technical support community founded in 2003, serving consumers and IT professionals with malware analysis, virus removal guides, tutorials, and a 700,000-member forum under Owner and Editor in Chief Lawrence Abrams.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersMelville, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What BleepingComputer does
BleepingComputer, operated by Bleeping Computer LLC and founded in 2003 by Lawrence Abrams, is a free, advertisement-supported cybersecurity and technology news and community website headquartered in Melville, New York. Its product surface consists of a news portal covering security threats, malware, data breaches, and software updates; peer-to-peer tech support forums with over 700,000 registered members; self-help virus removal guides; educational tutorials on Windows and basic computer concepts; downloadable security utilities such as ransomware decryptors; searchable startup and uninstall databases; a glossary; VPN buyer guides; and a Deals section powered by a StackCommerce affiliate integration for e-learning courses, IT certifications, and security products.
The underlying technology is a web-based content management system with IP.Board community forum software serving as the primary interactive platform. The site has no public API, no native mobile applications, and no proprietary AI features. Distribution is global through bleepingcomputer.com and Twitter/X OAuth authentication, with growth driven by SEO, content marketing, and community engagement. Revenue is generated entirely through display and sponsored advertising plus affiliate commissions, with no subscription paywalls or direct user charges. Moderators are unpaid volunteers and the small paid team focuses on editorial operations. Recent strategic activity has centered on vendor-sponsored webinars (with Abnormal AI, Tines, Novant Health, and others) and deepened affiliate partnerships rather than product platform development.
BleepingComputer firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BleepingComputer
- Legal name
- Bleeping Computer LLC
- Website
- https://bleepingcomputer.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- BleepingComputer is a free, ad-supported cybersecurity news and technical support community founded in 2003, serving consumers and IT professionals with malware analysis, virus removal guides, tutorials, and a 700,000-member forum under Owner and Editor in Chief Lawrence Abrams.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
BleepingComputer industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cybersecurity News and Technical Support
- NAICS
- Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (5192)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cybersecurity (Digital Safety, Ethical Hacking Basics) (EDAMACAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Security Data Lake, Telemetry Pipelines & Observability Security (HDADAGAH)
Keywords
Where BleepingComputer is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Melville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
BleepingComputer business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Advertising Revenue: BleepingComputer is funded entirely through advertisement revenue. The platform displays sponsored content, sponsored posts, display ads, and affiliate offers to generate income while providing free content and community services to users.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free access to all content, forums, tutorials, virus removal guides, and downloads. |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
BleepingComputer product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BleepingComputer is a free cybersecurity news, technical support, and computer education website that combines original news reporting on security threats, malware, and data breaches with a 700,000+ member community forum, self-help virus removal guides, tutorials on basic computer concepts, and a downloads repository of security tools including ransomware decryptors and malware removal utilities.
Product overview
BleepingComputer is a free community-focused cybersecurity and technology news website that operates as a single unified platform rather than a modular product suite. The core offering consists of a news portal delivering security and tech coverage, supported by community-driven resources including tech support forums with over 700,000 registered members, virus removal guides, educational tutorials, and downloadable security tools. Additional features include searchable databases for startup programs and uninstall entries, VPN buying guides, webinar content, and an e-commerce Deals section powered by StackCommerce partnerships for courses and certifications. The site is entirely advertising-funded and provides all content and community features free of charge, with registered members receiving an ad-free experience.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- BleepingComputer News A cybersecurity and technology news portal providing coverage of security threats, malware, data breaches, software updates, and technology trends for general consumers and IT professionals.
- Tech Support Forums A community discussion forum with over 700,000 registered members for peer-to-peer tech support, malware removal assistance, and computer knowledge sharing.
- Virus Removal Guides Self-help guides for removing the latest computer infections, trojans, worms, and other malware, aimed at home users and small business owners dealing with infections.
- Tutorials Educational tutorials covering basic computer concepts, task procedures, malware removal techniques, and how to use popular anti-malware programs, targeted at novice users and self-learners.
- Downloads A repository of security and utility software tools including Qualys BrowserCheck, ransomware decryptors, and malware removal tools like AdwCleaner, ComboFix, and RKill, for end users dealing with infections.
- Startup Database A searchable database identifying programs that automatically start with Windows, categorizing them as malware, optional, or necessary for troubleshooting startup performance and infections.
- Uninstall Database A reference database for Add or Remove Programs entries, helping users identify unwanted programs versus legitimate software when cleaning up PCs.
- VPN Buyer Guides Guides and resources helping users understand and select VPN services, including best VPN recommendations and how-to articles for individual consumers.
- Webinars Live and recorded webinar events covering cybersecurity topics such as phishing, incident response automation, and account takeover threats, hosted in partnership with security vendors for IT professionals.
- Deals E-commerce partnerships offering discounted technology courses, cybersecurity certifications, and software subscriptions through StackCommerce integration for individual learners and consumers.
- Glossary A computer terminology glossary helping users understand technical terms and jargon, supporting self-education for novice and intermediate users.
Companies that use BleepingComputer
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
BleepingComputer technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
BleepingComputer partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Abnormal AIminorAbnormal AI partnered with BleepingComputer to present a webinar titled 'Stop chasing alerts: Automating email security with behavioral AI' on July 8, 2026, focusing on modern phishing techniques and behavioral AI for email security.
- Novant HealthminorNovant Health's Eric Danneker co-presented with Abnormal AI on a BleepingComputer-hosted webinar about email security and behavioral AI, providing healthcare industry perspective on security challenges.
- TinesminorTines partnered with BleepingComputer to host a webinar titled 'From alert to resolution: Fixing the gaps in network incident response' on June 2, 2026, exploring automation and AI-assisted workflows for IT teams.
- SurfsharkminorSurfshark partnered with BleepingComputer through StackCommerce to offer Surfshark One+ cybersecurity subscription bundles, with BleepingComputer earning commission on sales.
- StackCommercecoreStackCommerce is a commerce platform partner that enables BleepingComputer to offer deals on educational courses, software, and cybersecurity training bundles. BleepingComputer earns a commission for each sale made through the StackCommerce platform, making this an affiliate marketing partnership.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
BleepingComputer competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- The Hacker News: Independent cybersecurity news site covering breaches, malware, and vulnerabilities. Closely comparable to BleepingComputer as a free, ad-supported cybersecurity news outlet with similar target audience of IT professionals and enthusiasts.
- Krebs on Security: Brian Krebs' investigative cybersecurity blog covering data breaches, cybercrime, and malware. Direct peer: independent cybersecurity journalism with deep technical credibility, similar audience overlap and editorial style.
- SecurityWeek: Cybersecurity news publication covering enterprise security, threats, and vendor announcements. Direct competitor in the cybersecurity news category with comparable editorial depth and audience.
- Help Net Security: Long-running independent cybersecurity news site. Directly comparable to BleepingComputer as a free, ad-supported publication covering breaches, vulnerabilities, and security tools for IT professionals.
- CyberScoop: Cybersecurity news outlet focused on federal cyber policy, breaches, and government perspectives. Comparable news-driven cybersecurity media business with similar advertiser base.
Broad incumbents
- Dark Reading: Established cybersecurity media outlet for enterprise IT and security professionals. Comparable content focus (news, analysis, threat intelligence) but serves a more enterprise-skewed audience and is part of a larger Informa media portfolio.
- CSO Online: IDG-owned cybersecurity and risk management publication for CISOs and security leaders. Comparable in covering security news and analysis, with a more executive-level editorial focus.
- The Record by Recorded Future: Recorded Future-owned cybersecurity news outlet focused on cybercrime, policy, and threat intelligence. Similar audience and editorial coverage, backed by a larger threat intelligence parent.
- SC Media: Established cybersecurity media brand (formerly SC Magazine) covering news, analysis, and product reviews. Comparable content mix and audience, now under CyberRisk Alliance's broader portfolio.
Others
- Tom's Guide: General consumer technology publication with strong security, VPN, and malware removal content. Indirect competitor for the same consumer security education audience and one of BleepingComputer's cited media peers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
BleepingComputer social profiles
Digital presenceBleepingComputer financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BleepingComputer leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
BleepingComputer funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BleepingComputer M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about BleepingComputer
What does BleepingComputer do?
BleepingComputer is a free cybersecurity news, technical support, and computer education website that combines original news reporting on security threats, malware, and data breaches with a 700,000+ member community forum, self-help virus removal guides, tutorials on basic computer concepts, and a downloads repository of security tools including ransomware decryptors and malware removal utilities.
Is BleepingComputer a public or private company?
BleepingComputer is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was BleepingComputer founded?
BleepingComputer was founded in 2003. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is BleepingComputer based?
BleepingComputer is headquartered in Melville, United States, in the North America region.
How does BleepingComputer make money?
One revenue line is on record: advertising Revenue.
Who are BleepingComputer's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are The Hacker News, Krebs on Security, SecurityWeek, Help Net Security and CyberScoop. Broad incumbents are Dark Reading, CSO Online, The Record by Recorded Future and SC Media. Tom's Guide is listed as an others.
Does BleepingComputer have an API?
No public API is recorded for BleepingComputer.
What industry is BleepingComputer in?
BleepingComputer's product category is Cybersecurity News and Technical Support. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMACAH, Cybersecurity (Digital Safety, Ethical Hacking Basics), with a secondary code of HDADAGAH, Security Data Lake, Telemetry Pipelines & Observability Security. Its NAICS code is 5192.