In the chaotic world of online forums, 4chan stands out like a neon sign in a dark alley. Dubbed the “cesspool of the internet,” it has a reputation for being the lawless Doge City of the online world. This notorious imageboard has seen its fair share of craziness, and now, it’s down again—this time, apparently hacked.

On April 14, 2025, users began reporting that 4chan was loading slowly. By the following day, the site went dark (cue dramatic music). A group known as Soyjak.party claimed the glory. They declared that they had executed an operation they dubbed “soyclipse.” Sounds like a bad sci-fi film, right?

These hackers, full of bravado, boasted about reclaiming 4chan’s /qa/ board (which had been banned years ago). They even leaked screenshots of 4chan’s admin panel, claiming to show emails belonging to the moderators. (So much for online anonymity!) One Soyjak member, who went by the handle “Chud,” said, “Tonight has been a very special night for many of us at the soyjak party.” (Let’s raise a glass to those “special nights.”)

It’s a wretched hive of scum and villainy.

Obi-Wan Kenobi

4chan’s reputation precedes it. It’s a hangout for all things odd, from internet memes to conspiracy theories. What’s more?! It has been linked to some real-world chaos. Just ask those who participated in the January 6 insurrection (or the parents of kids who Googled “meme culture”). The site was meant to share anime, but instead became a breeding ground for far-right ideologies. Who knew sharing cute cat pics could go so wrong?

Back to the hack! According to reports, the forum was using a very old version of PHP—dating back to 2016 (cue facepalm). Security experts were shocked (or maybe just mildly amused). “If they were wearing a digital t-shirt, it would read ‘Hack Me!’” joked Jared Holt, a researcher on online conspiracies. But jokes aside, this security oversight allowed the 4chan hackers to waltz right in. Many users worried that their identities could be exposed. (Oh no, not the .edu and .gov email addresses! What will the world come to?)

As the hackers celebrated, 4chan’s remaining users flocked to other platforms, like Downdetector, turning comment sections into makeshift forums. It was quite amusing to see users worry about their favorite playground being shut down. Comments ranged from “What a relief!” to “If only it stayed down forever!” (Irony is alive and well!)

After being taken offline, the site returned only intermittently. But don’t let that fool you—“4cuck,” as the hackers called it, might not be staying up for long. Cyber experts speculate it could take a while to recover from this breach. They’re likening it to a digital hangover, and boy, those can last.

In summary, 4chan remains a chaotic blend of humor and horror. It is the online equivalent of that one friend who always gets into trouble at parties. Sure, you love them, but you also wonder about their life choices. As it drags itself back to the web, we can only sit back, chuckle, and wait for the next round of internet mischief. After all, in the wild west of the web, there’s never a dull moment!

The 4Chan Connection

I first stumbled into 4chan back in September 2011, during the days of Rage, when Occupy Chicago was all the buzz. It was the wild frontier of the internet. They billed it as the place to meet the A-Team or recruit a Han Solo from Anonymous for your next big “op.” Talk about a digital dream team!

What was it like? Imagine a chaotic carnival run by pranksters and internet trolls. You could find anything there—from memes to mayhem. And just like that, you were sucked into the madness.

I haven’t visited in years. Thank goodness for that! As Obi-Wan Kenobi might say, “It’s a wretched hive of scum and villainy.” (Seriously, who needs that kind of energy?)

Every time the site buzzed with activity, it felt like opening Pandora’s box. You never knew what you might find. A helpful tutorial? Sure! A video of cute cats? Maybe! But then again, you might stumble upon the latest conspiracy theory or a wild meme about cats ruling the world (which they might just be, if we’re being honest).

If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them… maybe you can hire… the A-Team

People aspired to unleash their inner Anon and propose the newest “operation.” They were ready to take down corporations or to topple a social media giant, all while basking in the glow of their computer screens. It was glorious and terrifying at the same time.

Now, after years away, I can only imagine what 4chan has become. Is it still the chaotic underbelly of the web? Has it gone even deeper down the rabbit hole? Probably! Who needs moderation when you can have anarchy, right? It’s the ultimate online ecosystem: a blend of creativity and craziness, where rules go to die.

So, while I reminisce about my wild west days on 4chan, I’ll keep my distance. Some things are better left in the past. After all, I don’t need to revisit the digital chaos that made me laugh and cringe at the same time.

Resources: