4chan's 'Cesspool of the Internet' Shut Down Amid Reports of Hack and Leaked Source Code

The infamous image-posting board 4chan has been taken offline following reports of a major hack that exposed its source code. The site's forums are currently not loading, fueling speculation about what might be contained in the leaked data.

A user on a competing messaging board claimed responsibility for the attack on Monday night, stating that they had reopened the site's /qa/ board, which has been a hub for discussion and debate among 4chan users. However, it's worth noting that 4chan is notorious for trying to deceive outsiders about what's happening on its site, making it difficult to separate fact from fiction.

The image-posting board has a long history of controversy, having served as a base for the Anonymous movement and later becoming a hub for far-right extremism. Its influence can be seen in other similar boards like 8chan, which have been linked to various forms of online harassment and hate speech.

Unverified rumors are circulating about what might be contained in the leaked source code, including emails belonging to moderators and claims that the forum has been running on long-unpatched software dating back to 2016. However, one expert has cautioned against jumping to conclusions, stating that some of these claims are "snoozers" with no basis in fact.

"The source for this claim was not legit," said Jared Holt, a senior researcher at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue. "After spending the morning with what materials I could halfway assess as legit, I am sad to report that this is a real snoozer." This suggests that while there may be some truth to certain rumors, it's essential to approach these claims with a healthy dose of skepticism and verify them through credible sources.

The current state of 4chan remains uncertain, with users left wondering what might have been exposed during the hack. As one user put it, "Only a fool would take anything posted here as fact." The experience serves as a reminder to be cautious when navigating online forums and to always fact-check information before accepting it at face value.