Overview

• 4chan was taken offline on April 14 after a hacker exploited outdated infrastructure to access its source code and databases.
• The breach, labeled 'catastrophic' by 4chan, led to vandalism, data leaks, and the exposure of personal information of moderators and users.
• The site returned on April 27 with reduced functionality, including disabled posting, image uploads, and PDFs, while permanently removing its Flash board (/f/).
• 4chan attributes the breach to years of financial struggles, citing pressure on advertisers and payment providers to sever ties with the platform.
• To recover, the site has patched vulnerabilities, replaced compromised servers, and is recruiting volunteers to address ongoing operational needs.