Originally Posted by Desiack

It was 4/5 years ago and back then the recommendation was to store them on a USB stick and use a portable OS like Ubuntu. I did set it up but at the last minute decided to leave them where they were (as you say, in a wallet with an online trading company) and cash out in a few weeks as the price was rising daily. You only have to visit the wrong website or download the wrong file and your computer will be compromised and if Government agencies and large corporations can't keep hackers out with their resources, my little laptop will be easy meat.

If you only use them for nights out and can afford to lose them, go for it but after 25 years of hassle free Bank transfers and 6 months of Bitcoin heartache, I'll take the safer route if it's all the same. Once bitten... as they say.

Nothing is safe nowadays and everything can be hacked...

Just keep in mind that nobody would waste his time with an individual like you and your PC (unless he was sure your PC can make him rich). Even in this case it's up to you never to open any dodgy links/emails/sites and stay safe...

Hackers are mostly trying to hack big companies and steal thousands of wallets, that's why it's not recommended to keep your BTC on those companies.

Anyway... Shit happens... I am really sorry for your loss