In a video posted on Twitter, Rick raised the possibility that a keylogger captured the password as he typed it, allowing the hacker to access the KeePass file and, consequently, the Bitcoin wallet's passphrases.
The KeePass file was stored on Rick's hard drive, which was apparently automatically synced to the cloud, a default setting on many Windows installations.
Automatic cloud syncing may have created a path for the hacker to access the KeePass file. Once he got the file, the attacker likely used a brute force attack to crack the weak password and access the Bitcoin wallet keys.
In addition to the weak password vulnerability, security experts suggest that the hacker may have accessed your email information and reset your passwords through recovery texts or emails.
I'm devastated Rick explained that he used KeePass to store the seed phrases for his Bitcoin wallet. He emphasizes that KeePass is not a centralized service like LastPass, and the password to access it only existed in his and his father's heads.
However, he recognizes that the password to access KeePass was weak, which he now realizes is insufficient in terms of complexity and security.
In a video posted on Twitter, Rick raised the possibility that a keylogger captured the password as he typed it, allowing the hacker to access the KeePass file and, consequently, the Bitcoin wallet's passphrases.
He also mentions the possibility of having been the victim of cell phone cloning (SIM swap), but admits he is not sure how exactly the attack occurred.
The investor said he was aware of the benefits of hardware wallets and had even used one in the past, but expressed frustration and regret at having become complacent, choosing not to use a physical wallet to store his bitcoins.
Rick also expressed outrage at those accusing him of being a scammer, but also thanked those who are offering help. He emphasized the importance of using hardware wallets and the urgency of moving cryptocurrency assets to cold storage away from internet-connected devices.
Hardware Wallet or learn a painful lesson the hard way. We're very sorry for Rick but the world is hostile and it's what we live in
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