4chan has returned online after nearly two weeks of downtime following a significant cyberattack.
The controversial image-sharing site went offline on April 14, when hackers gained access to its servers using a fraudulent PDF upload, exfiltrating critical database information and source code.
The hack, described by 4chan as “catastrophic,” revealed personal details of moderators and led to the vandalization of parts of the site.
In a post on the site’s official blog, 4chan explained the attack was caused by a lack of resources to maintain and update its infrastructure, blaming financial challenges.
"Advertisers and payment providers willing to work with 4chan are rare," the post noted, citing external pressure campaigns against the site.
The breach resulted in the site’s temporary shutdown to prevent further damage, but servers have now been restored with some limitations.
While the site’s boards and front page are operational, posting, images, and thumbnails remain unavailable.
Additionally, the /f/ board, dedicated to Flash animations, has been permanently closed due to security vulnerabilities related to .swf files.
PDF uploads have also been temporarily disabled, though the site plans to restore the feature soon.
Despite the ongoing technical issues, 4chan has vowed to continue its operation.
"No matter how hard it is, we are not giving up," the blog post concluded. Volunteers have been recruited to assist in rebuilding the site, but concerns over the platform’s long-term financial stability remain, as securing sufficient funding continues to pose a significant challenge.
The hack and subsequent downtime have sparked discussions about the future viability of 4chan, which remains a significant yet controversial part of internet culture.
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