Exchanges make it a bit safer for users to trade,with at least a reduced rusk involved
??!
how many users got affected by true private key hard bruteforcing.. dare i say it none
how many users got affected by exchange 'hacks' (mtgox, crtypsy, cryptorush, mintpal, bitcoinica, .. list goes on).. millions
bitcoin security is more secure than exchanges
but users decision and trust are the issue where the users throwing funds at people they do not investigate, do due diligence of or research who they are throwing funds at are the problem.
thats not a bitcoin fault/issue. thats a human fault of just giving strangers funds and strangers greed of taking funds.
again even the exchange/escrow can be the thief too
bitcoin rule one:
if funds are not on a private key you have full/sole control of, they aint your coins