This week, hackers hit the popular imageboard site 4chan. This caused big outages and a serious data leak. Here’s what we know:
- 4chan’s website went offline for hours on Tuesday.
- Hackers reportedly accessed 4chan’s internal system for over a year.
Leaked content includes:
- Source code
- Moderator tools
- Banned user templates
- A list of moderators and “janitors”
What Was Leaked?
The leaked data appears to show:
- Private tools used by moderators to manage content.
- Moderator and janitor identities, which are usually hidden
- Subscriber details for users who paid for the "4chan Pass."
One insider told TechCrunch that the leaked data "is all real” and poses serious concerns.
“It’s not screenshots. The hacker had deep access,” the anonymous janitor shared.
Why This Matters
4chan isn’t a place for memes. It has deep political and cultural ties, especially on its more extreme boards. This hack could expose:
- People behind 4chan’s most radical content
- Links to far-right movements and harmful rhetoric.
- Sensitive user data from VIP board members.
4chan’s Troubled History
- Known for offensive and harmful posts.
- Spread of viral memes like Pepe the Frog and Wojak
Connection to extremist violence and conspiracies, including:
- The 2019 Christchurch mosque shooting.
- The 2022 Buffalo supermarket attack
- The rise of QAnon
No official response yet
As of now:
- 4chan has remained silent about the breach.
- Emails sent to their press team have gone unanswered.
What’s Next?
This cyberattack could lead to:
- Identity exposure of staff and users
- Increased scrutiny of 4chan’s operations
- Possible shutdown or legal action
Experts suggest this breach is one of the most serious in 4chan’s history.
Stay Informed For updates on internet security and tech news, follow trusted sources. Check out TechCrunch and major cybersecurity blogs.
References: TechCrunch article on the 4chan data breach – April 2025
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