<p><strong>Probably not.</strong> You can try to look at the addresses the coins were transferred to (or, if those were since sent elsewhere, at those addresses too) and see if you can figure out who they belong to. If the thief is somewhat competent, however, it's a good bet that he's made it very hard to track. If you can determine the identity, you might be able to take them to a court (small claims, civil, criminal...I don't know, and might depend on how many bitcoins were stolen, and where in the world you and your thief live) to demand the bitcoins (or equivalent value) back. But as far as the Bitcoin protocol itself goes: no, you cannot reverse the transaction.</p>

<p>To prevent this in the future, make sure that your computer is free of malware, always encrypt your wallet with a secure password, and consider using an <a href="https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/How_to_set_up_a_secure_offline_savings_wallet" rel="nofollow">offline wallet</a>. See bitcoin.org's <a href="https://bitcoin.org/en/secure-your-wallet" rel="nofollow">Securing your wallet</a> page for other tips.</p>

<p>Are you sure that the addresses don't belong to you, maybe in some online service you used and forgot about?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-24T14:22:51.040Z
I'm using bitcoin-qt and never fully registered for any online services for bitcoin accounts so, I'm only using offline wallets.
user1564380
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-24T14:33:32.240Z
"Offline wallet", as used here, is different from what you're calling an offline wallet. Basically, because you were using Bitcoin-QT on a computer connected to the Internet, (and probably the same computer you use to browse the web, download and install things, etc.) you didn't have an "offline wallet" and are open to a variety of attacks, such as malware that logs your keystrokes to steal your (encrypted) wallet and password; or if your wallet is unencrypted, simply steal your wallet.
Tim S.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-24T13:45:38.723Z
2014-03-24T13:45:38.723Z
Tim S.
<p>No, sorry but "fortunately" you can't do anything, otherwise people could pay for goods and services and then get back the bitcoin used (it's called double spending).</p>

<p>The analogy with fiat money is when someone picks your pocket, asking your bank for a refund for the cash you had won't help.</p>

<p>Some best practices for achieving good security are:</p>

<ul>
<li>take care about system password for online wallet</li>
<li>install official/trusted bitcoin wallet software</li>
<li>use offline wallets if you hold many bitcoins (create the wallet with an off-line computer!)</li>
<li>do not put many bitcoin in a single exchange because they control your money (mtgox), or wait for distributed exchange</li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-24T13:49:33.187Z
2014-03-24T19:12:39.970Z
2014-03-24T19:12:39.970Z
Riccardo Casatta
<p>I opened bitcoin-qt after not mining for a couple months and found that I suddenly have no more bitcoins!  And I see that there were 2 transactions that I did not authorize sending my coins to other addresses!  Is there anything I can do to get my coins back?</p>

<client><security>
I think my bitcoin wallet was hacked. What to do?
user1564380
# I think my bitcoin wallet was hacked. What to do?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-03-24)

I opened bitcoin-qt after not mining for a couple months and found that I suddenly have no more bitcoins! And I see that there were 2 transactions that I did not authorize sending my coins to other addresses! Is there anything I can do to get my coins back?

**Tags:** client, security


---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2014-03-24. Score: 2

**Probably not.** You can try to look at the addresses the coins were transferred to (or, if those were since sent elsewhere, at those addresses too) and see if you can figure out who they belong to. If the thief is somewhat competent, however, it's a good bet that he's made it very hard to track. If you can determine the identity, you might be able to take them to a court (small claims, civil, criminal...I don't know, and might depend on how many bitcoins were stolen, and where in the world you and your thief live) to demand the bitcoins (or equivalent value) back. But as far as the Bitcoin protocol itself goes: no, you cannot reverse the transaction.

To prevent this in the future, make sure that your computer is free of malware, always encrypt your wallet with a secure password, and consider using an [offline wallet](https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/How_to_set_up_a_secure_offline_savings_wallet). See bitcoin.org's [Securing your wallet](https://bitcoin.org/en/secure-your-wallet) page for other tips.

Are you sure that the addresses don't belong to you, maybe in some online service you used and forgot about?

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I'm using bitcoin-qt and never fully registered for any online services for bitcoin accounts so, I'm only using offline wallets.  
> **username_1**: "Offline wallet", as used here, is different from what you're calling an offline wallet. Basically, because you were using Bitcoin-QT on a computer connected to the Internet, (and probably the same computer you use to browse the web, download and install things, etc.) you didn't have an "offline wallet" and are open to a variety of attacks, such as malware that logs your keystrokes to steal your (encrypted) wallet and password; or if your wallet is unencrypted, simply steal your wallet.  

---

### Answer by username_2 on 2014-03-24. Score: 0

No, sorry but "fortunately" you can't do anything, otherwise people could pay for goods and services and then get back the bitcoin used (it's called double spending).

The analogy with fiat money is when someone picks your pocket, asking your bank for a refund for the cash you had won't help.

Some best practices for achieving good security are:

* take care about system password for online wallet
* install official/trusted bitcoin wallet software
* use offline wallets if you hold many bitcoins (create the wallet with an off-line computer!)
* do not put many bitcoin in a single exchange because they control your money (mtgox), or wait for distributed exchange


---

