The website 4chan had a problem on Tuesday because someone got in without permission.

When I wrote this, the 4chan website was not working. People on social media said the site stopped working for hours sometimes.

People on another website were happy about the hack. Someone wrote that the hacker was inside 4chan's system for more than a year.

Some pictures were shared online. They seem to show the secret parts of the website 4chan. These pictures reportedly showed the website's secret systems, code, and ways to stop users. Only people who manage the site should see these things. The shared information also had names of people who are said to be 4chan managers and "cleaners." Cleaners can remove posts and discussions, but they have fewer powers than managers. Managers can also see users' internet addresses, for example.

Because 4chan is known for having violent political groups, this cyberattack could show who is in charge of these online forums. These forums are now very important for alt-right groups.

TechCrunch sent messages to some people whose emails were shared and talked to one of them. Someone who works for 4chan and did not want their name used said they are sure the shared information and pictures are real.

I think it's true.

I'm a little surprised. The people who manage 4chan have had information shared before, but this is a much bigger problem. The person who manages the site told TechCrunch, 'I don't like this situation. I'm sure most other people don't like it either. But many of us have been doing this job for a long time. Finding and sharing private information about people is something people often do on 4chan, and we always knew we might be found out too.'

The janitor said, "I'm very worried about the information that came out, for clear reasons." He also said, "I think it's worse that a hacker or hackers took control of 4chan than just pictures, especially if the website wants to keep working."

The person who works on the website also said it seems the hacker got private information about people who pay for a special account on 4chan.

4chan did not answer an email asking for a comment.

4chan is a website where people can post messages and pictures without using their real names. It's a hidden part of the internet. People often share things that are meant to shock others. Sometimes, things from 4chan, like funny pictures or bad ideas, show up in the real world.

Memes like Pepe the Frog and rage comics became popular on 4chan, but now you can see them everywhere online. 4chan is also known for its political pages. Some young people there learn and believe white supremacist ideas. QAnon, a group of people who believe strange ideas and support President Trump, also started on 4chan.

In 2019, a man killed 51 people in New Zealand. He used a website called 4chan often since he was young. In 2022, a young man killed 10 Black people in the US. He wrote his ideas down, and they were similar to the ideas the New Zealand killer wrote online.