Was 4chan hacked? This is everything we know

One of the internet’s most infamous forums, 4chan, has reportedly been taken offline following a major hack, with claims that the attacker had been lurking inside its systems for over a year. This marks one of the most serious security incidents in the site’s controversial history.

Hacker claims full control and leaks internal data

According to leaked screenshots, the hacker accessed 4chan’s backend infrastructure, source code, and internal moderation tools. The attacker also exposed a full list of the site’s moderators and janitors, raising concerns over privacy and operational security within the platform.

The breach appears far more serious than past DDoS attacks 4chan has suffered. A current site janitor told TechCrunch that the data leaked “is probably authentic” and that the real danger lies in the hacker’s apparent full control of the platform. If true, this could affect the long-term viability of the site.

Users of rival forums celebrate the takedown

Users on rival boards such as 8chan and eBaum’s World have taken to social media to mock 4chan’s temporary disappearance, celebrating what some are calling a long-overdue downfall. Historically, these communities have had a hostile relationship, often blaming one another during mass trolling campaigns.

Founded in 2003, 4chan has long been a hub for internet subcultures and has faced criticism for hosting extremist content and organizing online raids. With the site now offline and its internal operations exposed, the future of the platform remains uncertain.

As one former user sarcastically put it, echoing a famous quote from the forum’s past: “Nothing of value was lost.”