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Wallet Key Theft

Definition

Wallet key theft is the unauthorized acquisition of a private key or seed phrase used to access a cryptocurrency wallet. This security breach grants an attacker complete control over the digital assets stored within the associated wallet, allowing them to transfer funds without the owner’s permission. Attack methods range from sophisticated hacking techniques and malware to social engineering and physical theft of storage devices. The irreversibility of blockchain transactions means that once a wallet key is stolen and funds are moved, recovery is typically impossible.