Do not use the youtube-to-mp3.org untrusted YouTube downloader site
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is youtube-to-mp3[.]org?
youtube-to-mp3[.]org is a YouTube downloader website, offering a service to convert YouTube video URLs (links) to MP3 and MP4 files, which users can download. As well as infringing copyright laws, this web page also uses rogue advertising networks.
Therefore, by opening/using youtube-to-mp3[.]org, users are forced to visit various other dubious and malicious sites. You are strongly advised against visiting/using youtube-to-mp3[.]org or similar websites.
Web pages that employ rogue advertising networks can force-open other sites when they are accessed. Redirects to the untrusted/dangerous websites can be caused when any buttons, links, ads or other content presented in the rogue site, are clicked. The pages promoted through these networks can run various scams, endorse Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs), and lead to visitors experiencing serious issues.
Furthermore, rogue websites typically host intrusive advertisements (e.g., pop-ups, banners, surveys, coupons, full-page, etc.). When these are clicked, they can redirect to misleading/harmful sites and some can stealthily download/install software.
PUAs can infiltrate browsers/systems via intrusive ads. These applications may seem legitimate and offer "useful" features, which are rarely operational. Furthermore, PUAs have dangerous functionalities. Some can force-open bogus websites. Adware-types deliver intrusive advertisement campaigns (i.e., enable the placement of ads on any visited page). Browser hijackers are other PUAs, which modify browser settings and restrict/deny access to them in order to promote fake search engines.
The promoted web searchers are seldom able to generate search results, and so they redirect to Yahoo, Bing, Google, and other legitimate search engines. Most PUAs (regardless of type) can track data. Information of interest includes browsing and search engine histories, IP addresses, geolocations, and personally identifiable details. The collected data is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
In summary, the presence of data-tracking software on devices can cause serious privacy issues, financial loss, and even lead to identity theft. Therefore, it is crucial to remove all dubious applications and browser extensions without delay.
Name | Ads by youtube-to-mp3.org |
Threat Type | Push notifications ads, Unwanted ads, Pop-up ads |
Detection Names | Quttera (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
Serving IP Address | 104.21.27.211 |
Observed Domains | y1.youtube-to-mp3[.]org; dc-a06b1ec15a92.youtube-to-mp3[.]org; dl2.youtube-to-mp3[.]org; dl.youtube-to-mp3[.]org; dev.youtube-to-mp3[.]org; ww12.youtube-to-mp3[.]org; www.ww12.youtube-to-mp3[.]org |
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. |
Using rogue advertising networks is a widespread website monetization method and, therefore, there are thousands of such sites on the web - x2convert.com, moviesjoy, anitube.site, keepv.id, and gogoanime.so are just some examples.
Visiting rogue web pages poses a significant threat to device and user safety. Therefore, exercise caution when browsing.
How did adware install on my computer?
PUAs are often downloaded/installed together with other products. This deceptive marketing technique of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions is called "bundling".
By rushing through download/installation of software (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, using "Quick/Express" settings, etc.) many users risk unintentionally allowing bundled content into their devices. Intrusive advertisements proliferate PUAs as well. When clicked, the ads can execute scripts to download/install these applications without users' permission.
Some PUAs have "official" download web pages from which they can be downloaded.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
You are advised to research all software before download/installation or purchase. All downloads must be done from official and verified sources, since dubious channels such as unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders commonly offer deceptive or bundled content.
When downloading/installing, read the terms, explore all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of supplementary apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive ads may seem normal and harmless, however, they can redirect to various dubious web pages (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and many others).
If you encounter ads or redirects of this kind, inspect the system and remove any suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately.
If your computer is already infected with rogue applications, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Deceptive ads delivered by the youtube-to-mp3[.]org website (GIF):
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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Quick menu:
- What is youtube-to-mp3[.]org?
- STEP 1. Uninstall adware applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove rogue plug-ins from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove adware-type extensions from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove malicious extensions from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
- STEP 6. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
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 youtube-to-mp3[.]org 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 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 youtube-to-mp3.org, 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 youtube-to-mp3.org 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 youtube-to-mp3.org, 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.
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 youtube-to-mp3.org, 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.
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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