If you frequently visit websites such as YouTube to download your favorite songs, you may need a converter website, such as ytmp3.cc. Using a website to convert files is common for many users, but you do it 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. You click on a website link you think will take you to a specific site and then get redirected to a site you did not want. That is how a browser gets hijacked.

Some ads can look appealing; that’s the intent. The hacker wants you to click on the ad. Doing that could install malware on your device, so always use caution before you click.

If you are unlucky enough to have been the recipient of 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 task.

Is ytmp3.cc a virus?

You may have heard that ytmp3.cc is a virus you get when converting videos. That is not entirely accurate. Sites like ytmp3.cc can help convert YouTube videos to mp3 or mp4 format, but it is a website, not a virus.

Using these websites is a common occurrence, but it can also be a risky one. When using the ytmp3.cc site, you may download malware, computer viruses, or potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) along with your mp3 files. Malware, viruses, and PUPs can harm your device and cause you frustration while attempting to remove them. You may not even know they're there until the 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 on them and downloading software. The software may contain a computer virus that gets installed on your device. The ads themselves are typically not dangerous. They can be annoying popping up while you are online. Once you agree to download a file from an ad, you could risk damage to your device.

One of the types of malware that may get downloaded from a pop-up ad is ransomware. Ransomware encrypts your files and holds them hostage. The hackers who are behind the malware will not release your files until you pay money.

Tips for safely using the ytmp3 converter

With the possibility of infecting your device with malware like adware and computer viruses, it’s best to avoid the ytmp3 converter site. You also need to be aware that downloading videos from YouTube could be considered a violation of 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 out you have 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 has expired, you are free to download it. There are also times when an artist grants the right to users to download and reproduce the content.

If you decide to use the ytmp3.cc converter site, there are some steps you should take that might prevent you from getting hacked and installing malicious software on your device. One of the easiest ways to protect your device from malware is to use a product that safeguards your online security. Using antivirus software is important because it scans files to keep your data from online hackers. We recommend the following programs for phishing protection and malware removal: 

• Norton 360: Norton uses a database of known malware and advanced machine learning to stay on top of malware threats. It also comes with Norton Safe Web, which analyzes the sites you visit to indicate whether a site is safe, potentially unsafe, or not safe at all.   
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• McAfee: As far as phishing protection, McAfee comes with a firewall and web browsing advisors that let you know whether the sites you are accessing are safe. And with its third-party testing, McAfee received a perfect score for antivirus protection and usability. 
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• Total AV: Total AV comes with a suite of proactive and reactive security features, including anti-phishing protection with WebShield, malware scanning, and a virtual private network (VPN). That way, you can keep your device protected while you're online, scan for threats in real time, and remove any viruses that may have infected your device.
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Here are some additional steps to protect your device from malware:

• Download from sources you trust. If you have not heard of a site, research it before installing the software or app. You can look online to see whether it’s a trusted site by other online users and if it has been safe for users in the past.
• Check app credibility before all installs. If an app requires you to download extra software but it doesn’t need the software to run the app, you should avoid it. That could be an indication of a malware attachment.
• Use an ad blocker. Because viruses love to spread through ads, you can use an ad blocker to keep the threat lower. We've also compiled a list of the best ad blockers to keep your device protected from malicious ads and tracking threats.

Do I have a ytmp3 virus on my device?

If you wonder if you’ve gotten infected with the ytmp3 virus, there are signs to look for when checking into it. Any of these symptoms could mean you’ve been hacked in some way.

One of the telltale signs of a ytmp3 virus is that you get pop-up ads while online. These can be harmless but cause issues while you are using your device. At the very least, it interferes with what you are attempting to get done because you have to click off them or choose to close them.

If you have noticed your default web browser has changed, that could mean you’ve gotten hijacked by malware. A ytmp3 virus can take over your web browser and redirect you to a different search engine. At best, it can create lost productivity because you are using time trying to return to your regular search engine. At worst, your browser has been hijacked, and spyware has been installed on your device.

One of the other symptoms of getting infected with the ytmp3 virus is not getting access to your files. In that case, you may have downloaded ransomware that takes over your device and encrypts the files until you pay the cybercriminal.

How to remove a ytmp3.cc virus on Windows, macOS, or Android

If you suspect you have downloaded the ytmp3.cc virus, you need to act fast to get rid of it. The longer it remains on your device, the more damage it can do. Depending on your operating system, the steps to get rid of computer viruses may vary, but there are general actions involved for all computer systems.

1. Run a scan using your antivirus software. When you suspect you have the ytmp3 virus, run a manual scan and check the device for any suspicious files or software you do not recognize. The best antivirus software will allow you to run a full system scan at any time.
   
2. Use the full scan option. A full scan may take longer, but it will be more thorough than a quick scan.
3. Delete suspicious content. If your antivirus program finds malicious software, delete it. The best way to guard your online security is to keep your device clean and free from anything that could be malware.
4. Check your browser. Do not forget this step in the process. Because the ytmp3.cc virus sometimes hijacks browsers, you need to check your browser settings. The easy way to do this is to reset the settings to factory defaults, and we'll go over the steps to do that next.

How to get rid of ytmp3.cc on Google Chrome

If you have been infected with the ytmp3.cc virus or any other malicious files and use Google Chrome, you can remove unwanted extensions that came with the virus. Once you remove the malicious extensions, you should reset your Chrome starting page. Make sure the default search engine settings are selected. You also want to clear the cookies to keep websites from tracking your searches.

Remove unwanted Chrome extensions

When you want to remove extensions from Google Chrome, the process is pretty straightforward.

1. Start your Google Chrome browser.
2. At the top-right of the browser, select the three vertical dots.
3. Choose the More Tools option from the dropdown menu. Select Extensions from the options list. This will display all your browser extensions.
4. Look through the list of extensions you want to delete and select Remove.
5. You will get a pop-up asking you to confirm your choice. Click Remove.

Reset your Chrome starting page

You can set your starting page in Google Chrome to be a custom page or a new tab. You can also choose to have your starting page direct you to the last website you visited. A few easy steps will help you select the starting option that you would like.

1. Open your Google Chrome browser and select the vertical menu dots at the top-right of the screen. Choose Settings. You can also type “chrome://settings” in the address bar to pull up the Chrome settings menu.

2. Select the On Startup option at the sidebar.
3. You will see options to open a new tab, continue where you left off, or open a page you choose.

Reset your Chrome search engine

When you use Chrome, the default search engine is Google. If you get a different search engine, you can restore it to the original.

1. Open your Chrome browser and click the vertical menu dots at the top-right corner of the page.
2. Click on Settings.
3. Go to the Search Engine option and look for Google on the drop-down menu.
4. When you select Google, a checkmark will appear by that option.

How to get rid of ytmp3.cc on Mozilla Firefox

If you use Mozilla Firefox and have malicious add-ons, you can remove them and reset your browser. Following both of these suggestions will remove the ytmp3.cc virus and other malware. Once you complete the steps below, be sure you clear the cookies to disable data tracking.

Remove unwanted Firefox add-ons

1. Open Firefox on your device. In the URL bar, type about:addons, then press Enter.
2. On the left-hand side, select Extensions.
3. Click the three horizontal dots next to any extension you want to delete and choose Remove.

Reset your Firefox homepage

When you want to reset your starting page in Mozilla Firefox, use your settings to choose the page you want.

1. On the menu bar, click Preferences (it may be called Settings on your version of Firefox).
2. Click the Home button. Here you can reset your home page and start page.
3. You will see an option for New tabs. You can use the Firefox browser home page tab or choose a custom URL here.

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If you have downloaded any add-ons you don’t want to keep, reset your Firefox browser. That will take you back to the original settings and possibly give you a boost in browser speed.

1. Open your Firefox browser.
2. Select the Menu button. Choose Help, then More Troubleshooting Information.
3. Click on the Refresh Firefox button. When the confirmation window opens, choose the Refresh Firefox option again.
4. After it refreshes, choose Finish.
5. Now you can choose whether you want to restore specific tabs and windows. After you have gone through those options, click the Let’s go! Button.

How to get rid of ytmp3.cc on Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge

If you use Microsoft Edge or Internet Explorer for your internet browsing, you can remove the ytmp3.cc page and get rid of malicious file extensions. You can also reset the start page to be one of your choosing and not one that got hijacked by malware. Once you finish with these steps, clear the cookies to prevent tracking of your browsing history.

1. Open the internet browser and click on the three horizontal dots at the top-right.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Choose the Reset Settings option in the left-hand menu.
4. Select Restore settings to their default values.
5. You will see a pop-up message appear. Click Reset.

Remove unwanted extensions

Because the ytmp3.cc site can add unwanted extensions to your browser, you need an easy way to get rid of them. Using the steps below, you will remove the extensions without complex troubleshooting.

1. Open the browser and click the three horizontal dots at the top-right of the page.
2. Go to Extensions.
3. You should see a small window open up. Choose Manage extensions.
4. Click on Remove under the extensions you want to remove.

Reset your Edge start page and default search engine

In case your browser’s start page has changed after using the ytmp3.cc site, you can restore it to the default settings. You can also go back to your default search engine.

1. Open the Edge browser and click on the Settings menu under the three horizontal dots.
2. Select Reset settings.
3. Choose “Restore settings to their default values.”
4. Click Reset.

These four steps will reset your search engine and web browser settings to the factory defaults.

How to get rid of ytmp3.cc on Safari

If you notice your Safari browser starts to lag, you may have unwanted extensions causing it to slow down. You can remove the malicious extensions and reset your default search engine settings. Don’t forget to clear the cookies for the best browser performance and to prevent data tracking.

Remove unwanted extensions

To remove any suspicious extensions, follow the steps below. You can manage all your browser extensions from these settings.

1. Open the Safari browser, click on Safari in the top-left menu, and select Preferences.
2. Select the Extensions tab option.
3. Look for any suspicious extensions.
4. Select the extensions you want to remove and press Uninstall.

Reset your Safari start page and default search engine

When you suspect you have been infected with the ytmp3 virus, you will want to reset your start page. In case the extensions have changed your search engine, check that, too.

1. Under your Safari Preferences option, go to the General tab.
2. The window that opens will give you the option to set your homepage and start page.
3. If you go to the Search tab, you can choose the search engine you prefer.

Ytmp3.cc virus FAQs

Bottom line

Due to the many risks of obtaining malware, using the ytmp3.cc converter is not advised.

Using the ytmp3.cc converter site comes with the risk of malicious ads that can cause detrimental damage to your device. In worst cases, you may get ransomware installed that will cause you to lose access to your critical files and data.

If you choose to use the ytmp3.cc site anyway, you should have trusted the best anti-malware software. You also need to keep the software updated so it can catch the latest viral threats.

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Author Details

Patti Croft

About the Author

Patti Croft is a freelance writer who specializes in all things technology. Her expertise includes antivirus software, online security strategies, and safety practices. She has a degree in Computer Information Systems and extensive experience working in the IT field. In her spare time, Patti is an avid reader and researcher, and loves spending time with her pets. She currently shares an office with her cat, Beau.