If you frequently visit websites like YouTube to download your favorite songs, you may need a converter website like ytmp3.cc. Using a website to convert files is common for many users, but it comes with some risk. Sometimes you can access the ytmp3.cc site and get redirected to a malware installation. The site may also have malicious ads that can infect your device.
You may have experienced this in the past – clicking on a website link you think will take you to a specific site, only to get redirected somewhere you didn‘t intend to go. That‘s how a browser gets hijacked. Some ads can look appealing – that‘s the intent. The hacker wants you to click on the ad, which could install malware on your device. So always use caution before clicking.
If you‘ve been unlucky enough to get the ytmp3.cc "virus," what should you do next? Keep reading our guide, where we show you how to remove the ytmp3.cc virus from your device and recommend the best antivirus software for the job.
Is ytmp3.cc a Virus?
You may have heard that ytmp3.cc is a virus you get when converting videos. That‘s not entirely accurate. Sites like ytmp3.cc can help convert YouTube videos to mp3 or mp4 format, but the site itself is not a virus.
Using these websites is common, but it can also be risky. When using the ytmp3.cc site, you may download malware, viruses, or potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) along with your mp3 files. Malware, viruses, and PUPs can harm your device and cause frustration when trying to remove them. You may not even know they‘re there until damage is done.
One of the dangers of using the ytmp3 converter is dealing with pop-up ads. They seem harmless but that‘s not always the case. Some pop-up ads lure you into clicking and downloading software. The software may contain a virus that gets installed on your device.
The ads themselves are typically not dangerous – they can just be annoying while you‘re online. But once you agree to download a file from an ad, you risk damage to your device. One type of malware that may get downloaded from a pop-up is ransomware. Ransomware encrypts your files and holds them hostage until you pay money.
Tips for Safely Using the ytmp3 Converter
With the possibility of infecting your device with malware like adware and viruses, it‘s best to avoid the ytmp3 converter site. You also need to know that downloading videos from YouTube could violate its copyright laws.
The chances of YouTube taking action are incredibly slim. Still, under its terms of service, YouTube retains the right to sue you if it finds you‘ve breached its legal standards.
Some videos are legal to download, so you may wish to proceed. If a video is considered public domain because the copyright expired, you can freely download it. There are also times when an artist grants users the right to download and reproduce the content.
If you decide to use the ytmp3.cc converter site, take these steps to help prevent getting hacked and installing malware:
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Download from sources you trust. If you haven‘t heard of a site, research it before installing software or apps. Look online to see if other users consider it trustworthy and safe.
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Check app credibility before installing. If an app requires extra software not needed to run, avoid it. That could indicate a malware attachment.
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Use an ad blocker. Since viruses love spreading through ads, an ad blocker keeps the threat lower. Check out our list of the best ad blockers to keep devices protected.
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Install antivirus software. This scans files to keep data safe from hackers. We recommend:
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Norton 360: Norton uses a database of known malware and advanced machine learning to stay on top of threats. It also comes with Norton Safe Web, which analyzes sites you visit for safety. Read our Norton 360 review.
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McAfee: McAfee provides phishing protection with firewalls and web browsing advisors indicating site safety. It received a perfect score for antivirus protection and usability in third-party testing. Read our McAfee review.
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Total AV: Total AV offers proactive and reactive security features including anti-phishing protection, malware scanning, and a VPN. It keeps devices protected online, scans in real-time, and removes viruses. Read our Total AV review.
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Do I Have a ytmp3 Virus on My Device?
If you wonder whether you‘ve been infected with the ytmp3 virus, look for these signs:
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Pop-up ads while browsing – This could mean you‘ve been hacked in some way, even if ads seem harmless.
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Default web browser changed – A ytmp3 virus can hijack your browser and redirect searches. At best it‘s lost productivity, at worst spyware is installed.
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No file access – Ransomware may have encrypted your files until you pay the hacker.
How to Remove a ytmp3.cc Virus on Windows, macOS, or Android
If you suspect the ytmp3.cc virus, act quickly to remove it before more damage is done. Steps may vary by operating system, but general actions apply to all:
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Run a scan with antivirus software when you suspect infection. Check for suspicious files or software. The best antivirus software allows full system scans anytime.
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Use the full scan option, which is more thorough than a quick scan.
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Delete any malicious content found. Keeping devices clean and free of malware is the best way to guard security.
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Check your browser settings. An easy fix is to reset to factory defaults, covered next.
How to Get Rid of ytmp3.cc on Google Chrome
If infected with malicious files, remove unwanted Chrome extensions and reset settings. Clearing cookies disables tracking.
Remove Unwanted Chrome Extensions
Removing extensions in Chrome is straightforward:
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Open Google Chrome.
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Select the three dots in the top right corner.
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Choose More Tools > Extensions. This displays all browser extensions.
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Select Remove under any extensions you want to delete.
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Confirm your choice when prompted.
Reset Chrome Starting Page
Set your starting page in Chrome to a custom, new tab, or last visited page:
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Open Chrome and select the three vertical dots. Choose Settings or type chrome://settings in the address bar.
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Select the On Startup option in the sidebar.
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Choose to open a new tab, continue where you left off, or a custom page.
Reset Chrome Search Engine
Restore the default Google search engine if changed:
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Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots.
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Click Settings.
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Under Search Engine, select Google from the dropdown menu.
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Google will be checkmarked as the default search engine.
How to Get Rid of ytmp3.cc on Mozilla Firefox
Remove unwanted Firefox add-ons, reset the browser, and clear cookies to eliminate the ytmp3.cc virus.
Remove Unwanted Firefox Add-ons
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Open Firefox and type about:addons in the URL bar, then press Enter.
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Select Extensions on the left.
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Click the three dots by any extension and choose Remove.
Reset Firefox Homepage
Set your starting page:
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Click Preferences (or Settings).
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Click Home.
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Reset home and start pages.
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Under New Tabs, choose the home tab or custom URL.
Reset Mozilla Firefox
Go back to original settings and boost browser speed:
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Open Firefox.
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Select Help > More Troubleshooting Information.
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Click Refresh Firefox.
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Choose Refresh Firefox again in the confirmation window.
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Select whether to restore tabs and windows.
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Click Let‘s go!
How to Get Rid of ytmp3.cc on Microsoft Edge or Internet Explorer
Remove the ytmp3.cc page, malicious extensions, and reset start pages. Then clear cookies.
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Open the browser and click the three dots in the top right corner.
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Go to Settings.
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Choose Reset Settings in the left menu.
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Select Restore settings to default values.
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Click Reset in the pop-up message.
Remove Unwanted Extensions
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Open the browser and click the three horizontal dots.
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Go to Extensions.
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Choose Manage Extensions in the small window.
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Click Remove under unwanted extensions.
Reset Edge Start Page and Default Search Engine
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Open Edge Settings under the three dots.
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Select Reset Settings.
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Choose "Restore settings to default values."
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Click Reset.
These steps reset search engine and browser settings to factory defaults.
How to Get Rid of ytmp3.cc on Safari
Remove malicious Safari extensions, reset the start page, and clear cookies for optimal performance.
Remove Unwanted Extensions
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Open Safari and click Safari > Preferences.
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Select the Extensions tab.
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Find suspicious extensions.
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Click Uninstall to remove them.
Reset Safari Start Page and Default Search Engine
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Under Safari Preferences, select the General tab.
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Set your homepage and start page.
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On the Search tab, choose your preferred search engine.
Ytmp3.cc Virus FAQs
Is the ytmp3.cc site safe to use?
No, the site can contain malicious ads that compromise files and devices.
What‘s the safest mp3 converter?
Some safe converters don‘t require login or personal info. But use caution – getting malware is still a threat even on sites used safely before.
Is downloading an mp3 from YouTube illegal?
Although YouTube says downloading music violates terms of service, converting video to mp3 is not illegal. However, downloading copyrighted YouTube videos is illegal.
Bottom Line
Due to malware risks, using the ytmp3.cc converter is not advised. Malicious ads can cause significant damage, and worst case install ransomware causing loss of critical data.
If you do use ytmp3.cc, have trusted anti-malware software installed and updated to catch the latest threats.