The appeal of the conspiracy theory is rooted in its own essential slipperiness. In terms of technical definition, a conspiracy refers to multiple persons or groups working together toward some kind of shady result. But in popular culture, conspiracy theories can be plausible or impossible, true or discredited — and everything in between.

Here we take a look at the 10 most infamous conspiracies and conspiracy theories that have made the rounds in the world of high tech. Some have been confirmed, some debunked, and several — predictably — have been litigated. If you’ve spent much time in the IT trenches, you’ve likely heard some of these whispers over the years.