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Cyndy Aleo-Carreira

4chan on the good side in Palin email break?

Cyndy Aleo-Carreira09.17.2008
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(Updated) As America reacts to the contents of Alaska Governor and U.S. vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin's Yahoo email account, attention is being focused on the two sources of leaked emails and the different ways in which they reacted to the episode.

Wikileaks claims to have received screenshots and images from the email account from members associated with the group Anonymous, who usually concentrate their efforts on anti-Scientology initiatives, but screenshots of the email account also appeared briefly on the 4chan board /b/ along with the login credentials for the account. A summary of the events posted on pastebin noted that a 4chan user immediately logged in and changed the password, preventing any other access to the account, which was later locked after multiple log-in attempts and subsequently deleted.

4chan's involvement may be the strangest part of the entire story, as the site, especially /b/, is known for its hands-off administration and anything-goes culture. The whiteknighting by the user who changed the password and the removal of images by 4chan admins seem completely out of character for the site. In typical /b/ fashion, trolls claiming to be FBI representatives, as well as Palin supporters are using the incident for even more /b/-level comedy, but for a brief moment, 4chan was on the white hat side.

Note: Due to an editing error, an earlier version of this article mischaracterized 4chan, /b/, and its role in this episode. This section has been removed and replaced by the author's original description. The Industry Standard regrets the error.

More news, commentary, and predictions from The Industry Standard:


Comments

Well, Anonymous isn't a group of hackers - it's a leaderless collective of like-minded individuals, from all walks of life.

http://www.enturbulation.org/press-media/faq


We are Anonymous.
We are Legion.
We do not forgive.
We do not forget.

We did not do this.


What is /b/? There's no such thing as /b/.


What's a 4chan? Never heard of 'em.


EBAUMS DID IT


Yeah, it was definitely all EBAUMS' doing since there's clearly no such thing as 4chan or /b/. Seriously these are not the boards you're looking for.


I'm Ebaum...I totally did it.


ebaums did it!


I haven't heard of four-chan before, what is that?
Althought I heard ebaums world did it.


Im not sure who would have done something like this. She is a great woman, and everyone on the internet treats women with upmost respect.


4chan is real. It is a website.

/b/ is real. It is a message board on the 4chan website.

just because you know nothing of internet subculture doesn't make it 'not there'.

4chan is a million people posting anonymously. there is no 'group'. 4chan is not one person. /b/ is not a person. /b/ is not a hacker, 4chan is not a hacker.

It is highly unlikely that 4chan "users" did the hack. On the other hand, if the /b/ posts are true (impossible to determine) then the idiocy of the person posting a new password and alerting the brother (or whomever) definitely sounds like a /b/ person. The fact that the person didn't post anything more but a teaser also gives clue to a 3rd grade hack (as likely perpetuated by someone from /b/).

It is highly likely that somebody that is not a tool like the majority of people on /b/ used 4chan as a conduit to spread the message because of its viral nature. As witnessed by lolcats, rickroll, etc.

You should not use the word hacker and 4chan in the same sentence. Or even in the same paragraph.

One more time. 4chan == website, /b/ a message board.

The person or person(s) that did this will unlikely be caught (unless they turn themselves in). Screen shots show an anonymizer on the yahoo acct. which likely means they ran a similar proxy to post to /b/. (unless they're from 4chan then all bets are off)

Have fun figuring this out federales.


This is epic fail. The mother of all party vans is coming. You have been warned.


4chan is full of a bunch of 10 year old kids. Some older kid did this then posted it on /b/ in hopes of being cool with all the kiddies. Guess 4chan won't be around much longer now, gg.


Trying to theorize political motivations seems silly. Relax and laugh, I doubt there's more to it than fun.


Hey you know what's also a lot of fun? Federal prison.

And you know what happens to dweeby little pasty-white internet tough guys, like the individual who illegally hacked a VP candidate's personal email account and put it on the web, when they go to big boy jail?

The idiot who did this is so utterly screwed.


Has Palin bought a dog yet?


I see you acting all tough like your Big Brother is going to come down hard after utterly screwing these pasty-white internet tough guys, innuendo intended I'm sure, and I find myself wondering why you take this so seriously?

Instead of devoting resources toward a likely fruitless search for some pranksters, I'd rather my tax dollars supporting the FBI go toward investigating kidnappings, fraud, or fixing the organizational problems which plague the agency.


Yeah, unless a democrat is the subject of an illegal attack on their privacy, right? You people are utterly contemptible. You have no principles.


The left is all wound up regarding our Honorable President because he monitors terriorist emails.
But somehow the same left does not see how wrong this attack on personel email is...
If your a democrat, I would wonder how come. These emails are posted publically, which is much worse than monitoring terriorist. Even the goverment would not do such a thing.


I am sure Obama is not happy about this situation. Let the backlash begin!


i did it for the lulz


There is absolutely no 4chan or /b/, srsly guyz, this is not the site you are looking for. Move along.


There is absolutely no 4chan or /b/, srsly guyz, this is not the site you are looking for. Move along.


The government does do such a thing. They have access to, and likely monitor all emails.

THERE ARE NO TERRORISTS LEFT IN THIS COUNTRY. IF THERE WERE, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN ATTACKED IN THE LAST 7 YEARS. IF YOU WANT TO FIND A TERRORIST, LOOK IN THE WHITE HOUSE.


LULZ. 4chan you retards. Now your base are belong to FBI.

I am Tom Cruise, and I approve this message.


Dang! You losers are desperate!

http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com


Sorry... I'm very familiar with 4chan and /b/, and no, the posters on /b/ aren't any sort of organized anything except perhaps chaos, nor are they hackers. I'm looking to see if something was accidentally deleted from my original article when it went live on the site.


so many delicious waffles here....


ebaums did it fools, /b/ does not exist.


We did it for the lulz!


Readers: Due to an editing error, an earlier version of this article mischaracterized 4chan, /b/, and its role in this episode. This section has been removed and replaced by the author's original description. The Industry Standard regrets the error.

Ian Lamont
Managing Editor
The Industry Standard


4 chan a pretty cool guy. eh hacks Palin's email and doesn't afraid of anything.


wtf is /b/?


/b/ is an image-driven message board on 4chan.org.


This was phail. We should have corrupted it instead :(


yahoo-account-services-us@cc.yahoo-inc.com
Your Yahoo! password was changed
4:23 AM 5KB
Read

19079829061@mms.dobson.net
LOOK AT TRIG!!!!!
12:36 AM 52KB
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Amy McCorkell
HI SARAH
Sun, 9/14/08 4KB
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You replied to this message
Ivy Frye
Delivered: Re:
Sat, 9/13/08 3KB
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Ivy Frye
Delivered: Re:
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Ivy Frye
Delivered: Re:
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Candy Sunderland
Welcome Home!
Wed, 9/10/08 17KB
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Juanita
Re: Hello!
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Fatkidron@aol.com
Attachments

Fwd: Fw: A story you will never read anywhere else.
Mon, 9/8/08 20KB
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Remus

Read: Hello!
Mon, 9/8/08 3KB
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JD & Trish

cousin jason
Sat, 9/6/08 6KB
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Amy McCorkell

Read: Hello!
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Juanita

Read: Hello!
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Jon Morgan

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From Cousin Jon
Fri, 9/5/08 76KB
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ftb907@hslak.com

Delivered: Hello!
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Ivy Frye

Re: Hello!
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ftb907@hslak.com

Delivered: Hello!
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Juanita Fuller

Return Receipt: Hello!
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Ivy Frye

Delivered: Hello!
Fri, 9/5/08 3KB
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Ivy Frye

Delivered: Re:
Wed, 9/3/08 2KB
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Ivy Frye

Delivered: Re:
Tue, 9/2/08 3KB
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Ivy Frye

Delivered: Re:
Tue, 9/2/08 3KB
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Sally Heath
Read: Tri-Cities family coming to convention
Mon, 9/1/08 3KB
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fek9wnr@yahoo.com
Delivered: Fw: Tri-Cities family coming to convention
Sun, 8/31/08 3KB
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Ivy Frye

[ No Subject ]
Sun, 8/31/08 3KB
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Ivy Frye
veep talking pts
Sun, 8/31/08 9KB
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fek9wnr@yahoo.com
Attachments
Kids 3378.jpg
Sun, 8/31/08 25KB
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fek9wnr@yahoo.com
Attachments
Kids 3378.jpg
Sun, 8/31/08 25KB
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Greg and Brandi Jones
Congrats from your cousins
Sat, 8/30/08 4KB
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katie
MY INPUT FOR SARAH IN THE TRI CITY HERALD.....YEA DOGGIES
Sat, 8/30/08 9KB
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Sally Heath
Re: WhooHoo
Sat, 8/30/08 3KB
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Sally Heath
Read: WhooHoo
Sat, 8/30/08 3KB
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Meghan Stapleton
Attachments
FW: Motor Fuel Tax Suspension
Sat, 8/30/08 1169KB
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Ivy Frye
[ No Subject ]
Sat, 8/30/08 3KB
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Ivy Frye
[ No Subject ]
Sat, 8/30/08 3KB
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finch@ncidata.com
Read: WhooHoo
Fri, 8/29/08 3KB
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Ivy Frye
Delivered: Re:
Fri, 8/29/08 3KB
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gov.sarah@yahoo.com
Re: From JP
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Judy Patrick
JP cell 223-4704
Fri, 8/29/08 2KB
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Judy Patrick
From JP
Fri, 8/29/08 2KB
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Goode, Kelly C (GOV)
Re: What a day!
Fri, 8/29/08 5KB
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Goode, Kelly C (GOV)
What a day!
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Ivy Frye
Delivered: Re:
Fri, 8/29/08 3KB
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Ivy Frye
Delivered: Re:
Fri, 8/29/08 3KB
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Ivy Frye
Delivered: Re:
Fri, 8/29/08 3KB
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Ruaro, Randall P (GOV)
Draft letter to Governor Schwarzenegger / Container Tax
Thu, 8/28/08 12KB
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frank bailey
link
Wed, 8/27/08 3KB
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Ivy Frye
Delivered: Re:
Wed, 8/27/08 3KB
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Ivy Frye
Delivered: Re:
Wed, 8/27/08 3KB
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Nizich, Michael A (GOV)

FW: Thanks
Mon, 8/25/08 7KB
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Ivy Frye

Delivered: Re: change
Mon, 8/25/08 3KB
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sp@hslak.com

Delivered: Re: change
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Ivy Frye
Delivered: Re: change
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Ivy Frye
Delivered: Re:
Sat, 8/23/08 3KB
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Ivy Frye
Delivered: Re:
Sat, 8/23/08 3KB
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Ivy Frye
Delivered: Re:
Sat, 8/23/08 3KB
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McBride, Rhonda (GOV)
Rural Wireless Service
Sat, 8/23/08 32KB
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Nizich, Michael A (GOV)
RE: Using Royalty Oil to Lower the Cost of Fuel for Alaskans
Fri, 8/22/08 42KB
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Ruaro, Randall P (GOV)
RE: Please approve
Fri, 8/22/08 11KB
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Ruaro, Randall P (GOV)
Court of Appeals / Executive Director Parole Board / Boards and Commissions
Thu, 8/21/08 10KB
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Ivy Frye
Delivered: Re: Merge to left
Thu, 8/21/08 3KB
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Ruaro, Randall P (GOV)
FW: DPS Employee Draft
Wed, 8/20/08 15KB
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McAllister, William D (GOV)
Re: DPS Personnel and Budget Issues
Wed, 8/20/08 12KB
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Ruaro, Randall P (GOV)
FW: DPS Personnel and Budget Issues
Tue, 8/19/08 11KB
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Ruaro, Randall P (GOV)
Court of Appeals Nominations
Sat, 8/16/08 11KB
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Nizich, Michael A (GOV)
another records request
Fri, 8/15/08 5KB
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frank bailey
Attachments
Letter
Thu, 8/14/08 293KB
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McBride, Rhonda (GOV)
Tara Jollie's B-Day
Tue, 8/12/08 8KB
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Mason, Janice L (GOV)
RE: Scheduling - Week of 08.10.08
Tue, 8/12/08 25KB
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Mason, Janice L (GOV)
RE: Scheduling - Week of 08.10.08
Tue, 8/12/08 22KB
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Mason, Janice L (GOV)
RE: Scheduling - Week of 08.10.08
Tue, 8/12/08 18KB
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Nizich, Michael A (GOV)
Attachments
FW: Capitalizing on coal reserves, Crow Tribe strikes deal for $7B
Tue, 8/12/08 10KB
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Mason, Janice L (GOV)
RE: Scheduling - Week of 08.10.08 - CG Dinner
Mon, 8/11/08 29KB
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Mason, Janice L (GOV)
RE: Scheduling - Week of 08.10.08
Sun, 8/10/08 28KB
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Mason, Janice L (GOV)
Scheduling - Week of 08.10.08
Sun, 8/10/08 24KB
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Ruaro, Randall P (GOV)
Status report
Fri, 8/8/08 6KB
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Nizich, Michael A (GOV)
FW: Special session press release
Fri, 8/8/08 29KB
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Colberg, Talis J (LAW)
Followup.
Fri, 8/8/08 4KB
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fek9wnr@yahoo.com
Delivered: $$$
Thu, 8/7/08 3KB
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Nizich, Michael A (GOV)
FW: CONFIDENTIAL Ethics Matter
Thu, 8/7/08 5KB
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Nizich, Michael A (GOV)
Attachments
FW: John Harris's response to Lyda Green
Thu, 8/7/08 68KB
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Nizich, Michael A (GOV)
RE: Request for Information and Documents
Thu, 8/7/08 10KB
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Nizich, Michael A (GOV)
FW: CONFIDENTIAL Ethics Matter
Thu, 8/7/08 3KB
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Nizich, Michael A (GOV)
Attachments
FW: Request for Information and Documents
Thu, 8/7/08 525KB
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Nizich, Michael A (GOV)
Attachments
FW: Memorandum of Law
Thu, 8/7/08 669KB
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Nizich, Michael A (GOV)
Attachments
FW: Informal Meeting with Gov. Palin Next Week
Thu, 8/7/08 268KB
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Ruaro, Randall P (GOV)
Attachments
FW: PR 08-2598 Summer 2009 Schedule Released
Wed, 8/6/08 770KB
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Rutherford, Marty K (DNR)
Re: AO
Wed, 8/6/08 4KB
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Ruaro, Randall P (GOV)
Update
Wed, 8/6/08 5KB
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Sean Parnell
RE: Meet and Greet
Tue, 8/5/08 20KB
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gov.sarah@yahoo.com
Fw: Meet and Greet
Tue, 8/5/08 20KB
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ftb907@hslak.com
Delivered: Re: weekend statement
Tue, 8/5/08 2KB
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ftb907@hslak.com
Delivered: Re: weekend statement
Tue, 8/5/08 2KB
Read

McBride, Rhonda (GOV)
Walter Soboleff
Tue, 8/5/08 10KB
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fek9wnr@yahoo.com
Delivered: Fw: Willow
Tue, 8/5/08 3KB
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katie
Re: HEY
Mon, 8/4/08 3KB
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Palin, J.D.
RE: Willow
Mon, 8/4/08 3KB
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Karl Clauson
Attachments
weekend statement
Mon, 8/4/08 52KB
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fek9wnr@yahoo.com
Delivered: Re: Staff at the House on Saturday Morning
Sat, 8/2/08 3KB
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Nizich, Michael A (GOV)

FW: info from today


Yeah 4chan is just a myth. It was ebaumsworld.com who did it


Us people at Ebaums did it. 4chan is a bunch of losers trying to take our credit.


Ya, we did it.....


freaking 4chan taking credit for what ebaums did


We are Anonymous.
We are Legion.
We do not forgive.
We do not forget.


EBAUMSWORLD DID IT! BLAME IT ON EBAUMS


White hat? As in the KKK?


>associated with the group Anonymous, who usually concentrate their efforts on anti-Scientology initiatives
>We are Anonymous.
>We are Legion.
>We do not forgive.
>We do not forget.

FAGGOT TEENAGERS METASTASIZING EVERYWHERE

This kid socially engineered his way in, and we all know that EVERY hacker frequents at least one chan.
For fucks sake, no national secrets got stolen (unless you count that HAARP document, but we knew about that already), why the fuck is the FBI here?

MODS = TATTLETALES

M00t would lick MIB balls, and probably has, just to keep his site going. You have to admire that kind of dedication.


newfag is new


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