Did you know that nostr:npub17u5dneh8qjp43ecfxr6u5e9sjamsmxyuekrg2nlxrrk6nj9rsyrqywt4tp has tracked 150 physical attacks involving bitcoin or crypto?

https://github.com/jlopp/physical-bitcoin-attacks/blob/master/README.md

I wanted to share some of the lessons that could be learned from these attacks, so I read them all.

nostr:npub1dtgg8yk3h23ldlm6jsy79tz723p4sun9mz62tqwxqe7c363szkzqm8up6m likes to say that bitcoin is Responsibility go Up technology and I couldn't agree more. When you actually own your assets, it's important that you take that ownership seriously. That includes securing your asset, but also securing yourself.

Of the 150 physical attacks tracked by @lopp 69% (104) resulted in a successful theft (or any kind) and 39% (58) resulted in a successful theft of Bitcoin / Crypto. Although 47% (49) of those “successful” attackers were later caught, crypto assets were rarely returned.

Many of the attacks involved “high profile” targets who flaunted their wealth on social media. If you are striving to be an "influencer" in this space, never talk about your portfolio and make sure you are taking your physical security seriously.

“The first rule of Bitcoin is: always talk about Bitcoin. The second rule of Bitcoin is: never talk about your bitcoins.” - nostr:npub17u5dneh8qjp43ecfxr6u5e9sjamsmxyuekrg2nlxrrk6nj9rsyrqywt4tp

Self-custody doesn't always protect you from physical attacks. 30% (45) of the examples involved a home or work invasion and in these cases victims can be forced to log into accounts or reveal private keys. Trick PINs, dummy passphrases and/or multisig can help with this.

However, these attacks can be dangerous for the attackers too. 55% of attackers were later caught and bitcoiners are generally better armed than the general population. Anecdotally, holding bitcoin in self-custody was what drove me to become an NRA member.

nostr:npub17u5dneh8qjp43ecfxr6u5e9sjamsmxyuekrg2nlxrrk6nj9rsyrqywt4tp has contributed an incredible volume of work into documenting security best practices and I cannot share his efforts enough. Check out all his security related content here:

https://www.lopp.net/bitcoin-information/security.html

If you are in the greater Boston area on Feb. 15th you can come get an introduction to the bitcoin security rabbit hole at the next Mass Adoption meetup.

https://www.meetup.com/massachusetts-bitcoin-meetup/events/298231338/

If you can't make it, you can check out my slides here (lots of sources and links are shared within):

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1xgbE5KlFBh26ZQi7He_i5YQE5rfQxZ8z1sUf1MLUp24/edit?usp=sharing