4Chan Founder Takes Responsibility for Attack That Prompted AT&T Blockade

NEW YORK — After an online uproar in response to AT&T blocking the rambunctious message board 4Chan.org, it turns out that it was all 4chan's fault.

On Sunday, AT&T blocked one of 4Chan's many message boards, the infamous /b/ board, widely known as a spawning ground for Internet memes, bizarre humor and edgy pornography.

Online pundits quickly cried foul, accusing AT&T of censoring the anarchic message board, but as early as Monday morning, software engineers and other tech analysts were suggesting that one or more online attacks had been originating from 4Chan's IP addresses, or at the very least, someone behind the attacks was making it look like 4Chan was behind it.

Today 4Chan founder Christopher Poole, aka Moot, confirmed that a DDoS (distributed denial of service) attack had originated from 4Chan's image-hosting subdomain, img.4chan.org. A DDoS attack is a "distributed denial of service" attack, which knocks out a website (or group of websites) for its intended users.

Despite the admission, Poole said that AT&T went too far in response to the attack.

“They essentially dropped a nuke instead of using the fly swatter,” Moot said. “I was told by someone within the company that an engineer essentially overreacted and made a mistake in choosing how to deal with a rather trivial issue. That’s how we got to where we’re at now.”

The 4Chan message board is also credited for siring any number of high-profile online movements and pranks, including the shadowy Internet organization Anonymous.

After AT&T's blockade of the site Sunday, reports started appearing online saying that AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson had died, apparently due to a cocaine overdose that happened while he had hired a number of male exotic dancers. None of that happened, and no one has taken credit for the prank.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

FSC Publishes Analysis of Federal Trade Commission Event Promoting AV

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published an analysis of a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) event held this week that promoted age verification among other forms of speech regulation.

GirlsDoPorn Owner Michael Pratt Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking

Michael Pratt, former owner of the rogue website GirlsDoPorn, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California on Thursday to sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking charges, according to a report by City News Service.

Master Nico Relaunches Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Master Nico has relaunched his official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Federal Judge Grants Partial Halt of Florida AV Law

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Tallahassee Division, has granted a preliminary injunction against HB 3, the state's age verification law, as a lawsuit filed by two online trade associations challenging the law makes its way through the courts.

Aylo Releases Statement on Suspending Access to Pornhub in France

Technology and media company Aylo, which operates adult sites including Pornhub, YouPorn, and Redtube, has released a public statement regarding its decision to block access to its sites in France.

Pineapple Support to Host Wellness Sessions at Bucharest Summit

Pineapple Support is hosting free group and one-on-one therapy sessions at Bucharest Summit, June 3-5.

Pornhub Blocks Access in France in Response to SREN Law

Pornhub parent company Aylo has opted to block access to its sites in France rather than comply with age verification requirements under the country’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law.

ASACP Highlights Study on Parental Controls

The Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP) is highlighting the results of a study on the underutilization of parental controls.

Sydney Screams Launches New Site Through Grooby's Blue.xxx

Sydney Screams has launched her new membership site, SydneyScreams.xxx, through Grooby's website management company Blue.xxx.

Mistress Mystii Is LoyalFans' 'Featured Creator' for June

LoyalFans has named Mistress Mystii as its Featured Creator for June.

Show More