Is it illegal for someone to hack my BTC wallet?

[cjmoles]

I'm not clear on this one point.  If somebody got a hold of my private key and moved funds from an address that I claimed on the ledger, is that against the law?  At what point could that be considered a crime?  For example, if they hacked into my machine and stolen the private key; if they sniped the pk while snooping on a public access connection; brute forced the pk into existence; or just plane snapped a shot of my qr code over my shoulder....ect  In which of those examples could I pursue prosecution for the theft of my coin?  

[JhonTravis]

good question

[European Central Bank]

All of those scenarios look like theft. Problem is the authorities ain't gonna care enough to do anything about it. Those guys are geared to nail single moms taking nappies from the store, not remote crimes of stuff they don't understand.

[poptok1]

Most of civilised country's recognise digital theft.
Different definitions are taken in to consideration. But most of those states have
something like " if one breaks through securities to poses things that are hidden behind those
securities, this is considered a crime against law of possession"  In my country at the least
most of cyber goods, like items from WOW or LOL are protected under this law.
I think bitcoins are no different, also are goods, digital but still.  

[European Central Bank]

Most of civilised country's recognise digital theft.

They do but they're not gonna do anything about it. There's quite a few people on here who've attempted to report stuff and they don't seem to get very far.

[bitdumper]

If you found their private key by mathematical computation or guessing, I think it will not be considered illegal. But if you got that by using malware or trojan that may be illegal.
If you hacked Nobody can expect you can claim that wallet is yours.

[cjmoles]

If you found their private key by mathematical computation or guessing, I think it will not be considered illegal. But if you got that by using malware or trojan that may be illegal.
If you hacked Nobody can expect you can claim that wallet is yours.

So,

1) If they hacked into my machine and stole the private key; (illegal)
2) If they sniped the pk while snooping on a public access connection; (illegal)
3) If they brute forced the private key into existence; (not illegal)
4) If they snapped a shot of my private key qr code over my shoulder at an ATM. (not illegal)

What if I claimed an address on the block chain with a signature and 3 or 4 happened?  Would I have a case then?

[cjmoles]

So,

1) If they hacked into my machine and stole the private key; (illegal)
2) If they sniped the pk while snooping on a public access connection; (illegal)
3) If they brute forced the private key into existence; (not illegal)
4) If they snapped a shot of my private key qr code over my shoulder at an ATM. (not illegal)

What if I claimed an address on the block chain with a signature and 3 or 4 happened?  Would I have a case then?

If 3) happens then all Bitcoins become worthless and the question would become:  If I take something which is worth nothing is it illegal?

Well I guess you could argue that even though all Bitcoins are now worthless they still might have sentimental value.

I think bitcoin would still have value because the bad actor would not expose themselves....right? Would he have an incentive to keep the method a secret?

See, that's what's got me re-thinking some of these points....How would we prove that 3 or 4 happened, unless the bad actor exposed the method?  And, what new legislation might be proposed to protect public ledger breeches?  It's kind of scary thinking about the public space being legislated (which could be proposed due to bitcoin's market capital reaching such high numbers)....Sometimes legislation that's passed through has unintended consequences when it comes to personal liberties....

[GoldCoders.com]

As far as I know, hacking for stealing and is illegal.

[Bitware]

I'm not clear on this one point.  If somebody got a hold of my private key and moved funds from an address that I claimed on the ledger, is that against the law?  At what point could that be considered a crime?  For example, if they hacked into my machine and stolen the private key; if they sniped the pk while snooping on a public access connection; brute forced the pk into existence; or just plane snapped a shot of my qr code over my shoulder....ect  In which of those examples could I have pursue prosecution for the theft of my coin?  

Yes, it would be illegal.

[Nowl1935]

Most of civilised country's recognise digital theft.

They do but they're not gonna do anything about it. There's quite a few people on here who've attempted to report stuff and they don't seem to get very far.

I think the government doesnt do anything, they are not responsible for that, except if the hackers hacks their government site. The news will spread out using media and social media

[kassadin5]

I'm not clear on this one point.  If somebody got a hold of my private key and moved funds from an address that I claimed on the ledger, is that against the law?  At what point could that be considered a crime?  For example, if they hacked into my machine and stolen the private key; if they sniped the pk while snooping on a public access connection; brute forced the pk into existence; or just plane snapped a shot of my qr code over my shoulder....ect  In which of those examples could I have pursue prosecution for the theft of my coin?  

Yes, it would be illegal.

under what law exactly? and in what country was the wallet located? the users country or the hosts country?

[BellaBitBit]

I don't see how it is not illegal because you did not give them permission to have it - it is theft.  Governments are working on ways to regulate bitcoin as we speak so hopefully we can get more protection and an avenue for recourse.

[pawel7777]

...

So,

1) If they hacked into my machine and stole the private key; (illegal)
2) If they sniped the pk while snooping on a public access connection; (illegal)
3) If they brute forced the private key into existence; (not illegal)
4) If they snapped a shot of my private key qr code over my shoulder at an ATM. (not illegal)

What if I claimed an address on the block chain with a signature and 3 or 4 happened?  Would I have a case then?

Pretty much correct. I have my doubts whether 4 couldn't be classed as illegal though. Most of definitions of 'hacking' in criminal law describe 'anauthorised access' and that could fall under that definition (similar to stealing your credit card details).

But in any case, if you know the person who got your bitcoins, you could try to get it back by starting civil lawsuit against that person.

[Bulldog69]

Likely illegal.  But where do you start to find them>  IP addresses are easy to fake.  wallet addresses are anonymous, difficult to track and can be changed every transaction.
I sure would like to know if there is a good way.  I was just hacked for about $20k and feel there is no recourse.

[philipma1957]

Likely illegal.  But where do you start to find them>  IP addresses are easy to fake.  wallet addresses are anonymous, difficult to track and can be changed every transaction.
I sure would like to know if there is a good way.  I was just hacked for about $20k and feel there is no recourse.

You are correct this is no recourse as you will never be able to find the hacker.

Best I can tell you is  3 accounts on 3 machines.

Or


Use a mac mini from apple  clone the hard drive  a few times.

and don't run the drive with the account unless you want to take coins out.

Lastly have a few smaller accounts on wallets like blockchain.info and coinbase.

[Gaugh]

As far as I know, hacking for stealing and is illegal.

That is true, but hacking into a bitcoin wallet is a bit difficult to prove because the whole bitcoin concept is built on being anonymous. So how do you prove that the private key was yours to start with? Your name is not written on it...

[bob123]

Of course this is illegal.
Its theft of digital goods.

[botany]

It is against the law.
But the questions to be answered are - Can it be proven? What can law enforcers do in this case?

[iv4n]

Interesting topic we have here, and even more interesting comments.
What can law do in this case? Even if there is law against digital theft, how they can prove anything.

For example in my country all thefts under 40 euros is not criminal activity, its just minor  offense. So how much law will react on this matter depends from amount of money in wallet.

I think most of all is to prove anything here, someone can manipulate with this things a lot. I think solution is to keep coins safe as possible, and then there will no be problems of this kind.