Ytmp3.cc isn’t a virus as such – it’s a website that rips audio from YouTube videos. However, it redirects users to potentially unsafe sites that could easily infect their devices with malware. If you’re looking to remove a virus installed after using Ytmp3.cc, this post can help. I’ll also explain everything we know about Ytmp3.cc and reveal how to download audio from YouTube safely in the future.
How to detect and remove Ytmp3.cc viruses
Ytmp3.cc doesn’t directly install malware on your device. Instead, it converts YouTube videos to audio and redirects you to a third-party website when you click the download button. This means users risk installing potentially unwanted programs or browser hijackers if they’re not careful about what they click. Ytmp3.cc also requests notification permissions, which can be abused to bombard you with spam.
If you’ve noticed your computer behaving strangely shortly after using Ytmp3.cc, it’s important to act fast. Here are some warning signs to look out for:
- Unauthorized homepage or search engine changes
- Frequent popups
- The sudden appearance of unfamiliar applications, browser extensions, or toolbars
- Unexplained CPU usage or computer slowdowns
- Security and antivirus alerts
- Constant push notification spam
Thankfully, resolving these issues is usually quite straightforward. Follow the steps below to get rid of a virus from using Ytmp3.cc:
- Remove any recently-installed apps that you don’t recognize. It’s a good idea to get rid of any unfamiliar browser extensions too.
- Examine your scheduled task list to see if there’s anything you don’t recognize. If so, right-click it and hit Disable. On macOS, highlight the app and click the minus icon.
- Scan for viruses using a reputable antivirus app. This will tell you if any threats are detected, and what they are. Review the results and remove anything flagged as a security risk.
- To prevent notification spam, revoke notification permissions for Ytmp3.cc (and convertytmp3.org, which Ytmp3 currently redirects to). Here’s how:
Browser Steps Chrome Settings > Privacy and Security > Site settings > Notifications > Next to Not allowed to send notifications, click Add.
Type site name and click Add.Firefox Settings > Permissions and data > Notifications > Type site name, select Block from the list, click Save Changes. Edge Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Site permissions > All permissions > Notifications > Click Add next to Not allowed to send notifications.
Type site name and click Add.Opera Settings > Privacy & security > Site settings > Notifications > Next to Not allowed to send notifications, click Add.
Type site name and click Add.Safari System Settings > Notifications > Application Notifications > Select site > Change Allow to Deny - Reset your browser’s homepage and default search engine. Alternatively, reset the whole browser to take care of this and delete saved tracking cookies automatically. Just login first so you don’t lose bookmarks, addons, or browsing history. To reset Chrome, Edge, and Opera, open the menu and hit Reset settings. On Firefox, visit “about:support” and click Refresh Firefox.
Is Ytmp3.cc safe?
No, Ytmp3 is not safe to use. I’ll break down my reasons for saying so, and discuss my personal experiences testing the site below.
Frequent changes to the site’s address
Despite existing since 2017, ytmp3.cc now redirects to convertytmp3.org. Doing a WHOIS lookup, we can see that this site first went online just days before writing this post, in June 2026. There are several innocent explanations for this, such as preparing for a rebrand. Considering this site happily serves its users malicious ads though, I’m less inclined to give it the benefit of the doubt.
Besides, the Wayback Machine shows that this is par for the course. In July 2025, ytmp3.cc began redirecting to ytmp3.cs. At the end of the year, this changed to ytmp3.ai, then ytmp3.gs in March or April 2026.
It’d be highly unusual for a legitimate business to change its URL four times in under 12 months. The move to convertytmp3.org could indicate consistent pressure from hosting providers (possibly stemming from YouTube’s legal team), or a tainted brand trying to shed its association with malware.
First-hand testing
During my research, I found posts complaining about this site going back almost a decade. The responses followed a pattern: people claiming the site itself is legitimate but the ads shown are potentially risky.
Convertytmp3’s TOS state it doesn’t control third-party content displayed on its site and it’s not liable for anything. In other words, if they pay enough, advertisers can show whatever they like. To see what kind of content was being fed to users, I tested the site myself using a virtual machine for safety.
At first, the site itself didn’t appear to have any advertising on it at all. Undeterred, I pasted the link to one of Comparitech’s YouTube videos and hit the convert button. Upon clicking download, I was sent to a new site that Windows flagged as unsafe. That’s pretty conclusive evidence, I’d say.
What about the file I downloaded though? I ran it through VirusTotal, a platform that scans files with more than 70 different antivirus packages. None of these detected anything suspicious, so Convertytmp3 doesn’t appear to include viruses alongside your mp3 file.
What about the browser extensions? Convertytmp3’s website currently offers extensions for Edge and Firefox and less than 20 reviews combined. Of these, one specifically mentions the file being flagged as malware so the risk quite simply isn’t worth it.
Alternatives to ytmp3: How to download audio from YouTube videos safely
Method 1: Get YouTube Music
YouTube Premium (currently $11.99 USD monthly) allows you to download audio-only versions of songs and podcasts for offline listening. There are a couple of limitations though, like the fact that this feature isn’t available for regular YouTube videos. Additionally, you won’t get a separate MP3 file – the audio is only accessible within the YouTube Music app.
Method 2: Use an open-source tool
You used to be able to convert YouTube videos to audio using VLC Media Player but that’s no longer possible. However, there are plenty of tools that exist for this express purpose, including yt-dlp, which has almost 90,000 users. The main thing that sets this app apart from sites like ytmp3.cc is that it’s fully open-source. This means every line of code can be reviewed and audited by anyone, ensuring it’s safe and completely malware-free.
Important: Comparitech does not condone piracy. Only download content if you own it, it’s in the public domain, or you have the copyright holder’s express permission. Additionally, be aware that downloading videos goes against YouTube’s terms of service.
Conclusion
Convertytmp3 is just the latest in a long line of ytmp3 sites. This platform can change its name as often as it likes but one thing remains the same every time: it keeps funneling users towards shady, scammy, potentially dangerous websites.
While ytmp3 doesn’t personally install malware on your device, it could limit the types of content advertisers can show. Time and time again, the company has chosen not to, making it complicit.
The best defense is to avoid Convertytmp3, ytmp3, and sites like them entirely. There are many open-source apps that do the same job without half as much risk.