[jacquesm]

If it has file access permissions it can scan for wallet.dat in a few likely locations and then simply upload that file to a server, then delete the original and you're pretty sure that you'll have time enough to register a transaction with the bitcoin network.

[phormula]

bitcoins were not stolen from a local wallet, rather they were withdrawn from his mtgox account to the thief's address.

[jacquesm]

Ah, yes of course a mtgox balance would be at risk as well. I'd definitely check to see if my wallet had not been ripped as well.

[amalag]

OK thank you. So is the wallet.dat related to MtGox at all or is it just a standard bitcoin wallet file used by the standard clients?

[ghshephard]

It's a Bitcoin concept. It's where your actual bitcoins are stored.

https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Securing_your_wallet