Avoid using savemp3.cc and getting redirected to harmful sites
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is savemp3[.]cc?
Savemp3[.]cc is a site, presented as a YouTube converter. It advertises abilities/functions including YouTube video to MP3 conversion, music playlist conversion and SoundCloud downloader. Users should note that not only does this website infringe copyright laws but it also uses uses rogue advertising networks.
Therefore, visitors to this site find themselves redirected to a variety of questionable, untrustworthy and possibly malicious webpages. It is strongly advised against visiting and/or using savemp3[.]cc and other pages similar to it.
Through implementation of rogue advertising networks, savemp3[.]cc can generate redirects to various sale-oriented, untrustworthy/rogue, deceptive/scam, compromised and even malicious websites. It must be emphasized that products downloaded from them are highly likely to be unreliable, harmful and even downright malicious.
During research, savemp3[.]cc has been observed causing redirection chains ending with rogue sites, as well as download pages of both Power App and VideoConverterHD browser hijackers.
The aforementioned applications are classified as PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications) and they operate by modifying browsers, limiting/denying access to their settings and promoting fake search engines. However, there are several types of PUAs, which have different abilities/functions.
Some can force-open similarly dangerous webpages as those savemp3[.]cc redirects to. Other can run intrusive advertisement campaigns, i.e. deliver undesirable and hazardous adverts. The delivered ads are deemed to be a threat, due to redirects to untrustworthy/malicious sites and for their ability to download/install content (e.g. PUAs) without user permission.
It is not uncommon for PUAs to have data tracking abilities. They can monitor users' browsing habits (browsing and search engine histories) and collect their personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and real-life details). To summarize, PUAs can cause browser/system infiltrations and infections, lead to serious privacy issues, financial losses and even identity theft.
Therefore, to ensure device/user safety, it is highly recommended not to use/visit savemp3[.]cc and websites akin to it, not to download/install/purchase software promoted on or through such. Furthermore, all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be removed immediately upon detection.
Name | Ads by savemp3.cc |
Threat Type | Push notifications ads, Unwanted ads, Pop-up ads |
Detection Names | Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Malicious), Quttera (Malicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
Serving IP Address | 194.147.34.156 |
Observed Domains | v2api.savemp3[.]cc; www.savemp3[.]cc; beta.savemp3[.]cc; ide.savemp3[.]cc; static.savemp3[.]cc; api.savemp3[.]cc |
Symptoms | Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed. |
Distribution Methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, potentially unwanted applications (adware) |
Damage | Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections. |
Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Youtubedownload.video, bitdownloader.com, onlinevideoconverter.com are a couple of examples of other video/audio conversion pages similar to savemp3[.]cc. Typically, they host ads, which when clicked can redirect users to questionable and/or dangerous sites.
However, it is possible that such webpages will be opened the moment the website is visited - without users clicking anything. Should a browser be automatically opening suspicious sites, it is highly likely to be caused by PUAs already installed onto the system.
How did adware install on my computer?
Typically, PUAs infiltrate devices without explicit user consent. They mainly proliferate via "bundled" software, "official"promotional webpages (which are commonly promoted in dubious ways) and intrusive advertisements. Unwanted applications can be downloaded/installed alongside other products.
This deceptive marketing method of pre-packing regular programs with unwanted or malicious content is called "bundling". Rushed download/installation processes (e.g. ignored terms, skipped steps, etc.) - increase the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled apps onto systems, thereby endangering them with potential infiltrations and infections.
Pages endorsing PUAs do not appear suspicious, they look like legitimate and usually present these applications as "handy" and "free". When clicked on, intrusive adverts can execute scripts, designed to stealthily download/install PUAs.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To verify the legitimacy of products, it is necessary to research them prior to download/installation. It is recommended to only use official download sources. Untrustworthy channels like P2P sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.), free file-hosting sites and other third party downloaders - are more likely to offer unwanted and/or malicious content for downloading.
When downloading/installing, it is important to read terms, explore all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out from additional apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive advertisements often appear ordinary and harmless, however they generate redirects to a variety of questionable websites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating and so on).
Should users experience such ads/redirects, they are strongly advised to inspect the device and remove all suspect applications and/or browser extensions without delay. If your computer is already infected with rogue applications, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Savemp3[.]cc website redirecting to a rogue site (GIF):
Savemp3[.]cc website redirecting to the download page of Power App browser hijacker (GIF):
Savemp3[.]cc website redirecting to the download page of VideoConverterHD browser hijacker (GIF):
IMPORTANT NOTE! Savemp3[.]cc asks to enable web browser notifications.
Therefore, before commencing, perform these steps:
Google Chrome (PC):
- Click the Menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the screen
- Select "Settings", scroll down to the bottom and click "Advanced"
- Scroll down to the "Privacy and security" section, select "Content settings" and then "Notifications"
- Click three dots on the right hand side of each suspicious URL and click "Block" or "Remove" (if you click "Remove" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again)
Google Chrome (Android):
- Click on the Menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the screen and click "Settings"
- Scroll down, click on "Site settings" and then "Notifications"
- In the opened window, locate all suspicious URLs and click on them one-by-one
- Select "Notifications" in the "Permissions" section and set the toggle button to "OFF"
Mozilla Firefox:
- Click the Menu button (three bars) on the right upper corner of the screen
- Select "Options" and click on "Privacy & Security" in the toolbar on the left hand side of the screen
- Scroll down to the "Permissions" section and click the "Settings" button next to "Notifications"
- In the opened window, locate all suspicious URLs, click the drop-down menu and select "Block"
Internet Explorer:
- Click the Gear button on the right upper corner of the IE window
- Select "Internet options"
- Select the "Privacy" tab and click "Settings" under "Pop-up Blocker" section
- Select suspicious URLs under and remove them one by one by clicking the "Remove" button
Microsoft Edge:
- Click the menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the Edge window
- Scroll down, find and click "Settings"
- Scroll down again and click "View advanced settings"
- Click "Manage" under "Website permissions"
- Click the switch under each suspicious website
Safari (Mac):
- Click "Safari" button on the left upper corner of the screen and select "Preferences..."
- Select the "Websites" tab and then select "Notifications" section on the left pane
- Check for suspicious URLs and apply the "Deny" option for each
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is savemp3[.]cc?
- STEP 1. Uninstall adware applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove rogue plug-ins from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove adware-type extensions from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove malicious extensions from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Adware removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window, look for any potentially unwanted applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application that causes savemp3[.]cc redirects, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove adware from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by savemp3.cc, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and remove them.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by savemp3.cc, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by savemp3.cc removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....
In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by savemp3.cc, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.
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