Post
Topic
Board Beginners & Help
Re: if I disconnect my pc will my BTC be safe
by
virtualx
on 05/06/2015, 11:48:11 UTC
It's been connected to the internet, if I turn the internet off, is there a way my BTC can be stolen without physically taking my pc?

Bitcoin transactions can only be started using your private key. If you have the private key, you can transfer bitcoins from one address to another. It doesn't matter if your internet is on or off, if you have the private key you can even move bitcoins without having direct access to the internet.  Smiley

Your bitcoins are literally on the blockchain. Your computer has the private key to move them. Recently someone posted a good analogy:

Imagine there are a group of lockers in a public place. Each locker has the following:

    A lock that requires a key
    A window to see inside
    A slot that money can be put in
    An identifying number


Thefts happend because of these reasons:

    Keylogger / Virus / Spyware from plugin, altcoin etc
    Sending to a website (bitcoin transactions are not reversable)
    Sending to a scammer (fake payment sites and fake investment sites)
    Leaking of private key
    Hacked exchange
    Hacked online bitcoin wallet
    

I recommend using a sd, cd, paper wallet or hardware wallet. A computer has so muchsoftware running on it that every program you install either knowingly or unknowingly could be dangerous.

I think no
but someone can physically take your bitcoins either taking you wallet.dat file, or exporting private keys or other way

They cannot do that if you encrypt your wallet.dat file.