Sometimes an annonymous source is only needed to point the reporter in the right direction so they can check things out for themselves.

I guess thats more of a "tipster" than a source, but whatever.

You have a good point though. A "source" by default isn't valid. It may be validated though even if it is anonymous. After all, the identity alone of the source doesn't make the information valid... does it? Validating the information recieved by a source is the only way to validate a source. That can be done regardless of anononymity.

Apple Magazine: PCs insecure