Bitcoin adoption issues: scams, hacks, and trust issues

[got2bereal]

I just lost 4 BTC due to my wallet.dat getting hacked.  I did some research and stumble upon dozens and dozens of other people losing their BTC to hacks and scams as well.  

How can this currency survive or even have a chance in the retail marketplace if there is absolutely no protection?  It is the wild wild west.

Essentially the only way to get your BTC back is to find out where the BTC went and bring a bat or a gun and demand the thieves your BTC back.

You can't call the cops because a virtual currency is not protected by our laws, it's game money.

I lost 4 BTC but some people lost over 100+ BTC to hacks or scams.

I've lost faith, I don't think this currency can survive unless some protection methods are in place.

Or the US FTC could step in and start forcing BTC clearing houses to adopt consumer protection laws and we're basically forcing BTC to get institutionalized by the big companies again.

How could the Bitcoin community provide protection and self-governance without having the governments step in?

[Sonny]

Sorry to hear your loss.

But we also have these kinds of problem with fiat.....

[hilariousandco]

If they can steal your Bitcoins then they could probably steal your bank account details too. Keep your coins offline. They're only as safe as you are.

[InCoinsITrust]

Keep your coins offline, like paper walets. Did you had an encrypted wallet ?

[DeboraMeeks]

Sorry to hear your loss.

But we also have these kinds of problem with fiat.....

This does happen with fiat however less often and it may sometimes be covered by insurances (banks can refund you sometimes.)

[DannyHamilton]

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You can't call the cops because a virtual currency is not protected by our laws, it's game money.
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This is not true.  See Trendon Shavers.

I've lost faith, I don't think this currency can survive unless some protection methods are in place.

Irresponsible people who are incapable of securing their own wealth should use currencies that are completely controlled by other entities.  That way you can rely on those other entities to keep you safe from your self.  Freedom loving people prefer to control their own destiny (and their own wealth).

Or the US FTC could step in and start forcing BTC clearing houses to adopt consumer protection laws and we're basically forcing BTC to get institutionalized by the big companies again.

What is a BTC clearing house?  I've never heard of such a thing.

How could the Bitcoin community provide protection and self-governance without having the governments step in?

Education and new layers built on top of the existing protocol.  I assume that there will eventually be bitcoin "banks" that will protect your money for you if you don't feel capable of doing so yourself.  I wouldn't trust any such bank unless/until they are insured by a major insurance underwriter, and independently audited on a regular basis for both security practices and accounting practices.

[Sheldor333]

Like in everything you have to be smart about it and not let your guard down. Also secure your computer. You probably did something to allow the hacker to gain access to your computer and steal your btc. You didn't do it on purpose but you still did it. Try to secure your computer as much as you possibly can, there are tuts about it online.

[texaschainsaw54]

I would keep any coins offline from what I have been reading, and this currency is not doomed to fail because of it. Even though this currency does get stolen, the USD is stolen way more often and used for illegal things way more than BTC.