Warning signs detected
Columbia University Libraries subdomain serving porn and scams per Ars Technica report, due to poor maintenance; site unreachable via DNS error. Several risk indicators suggest caution. This site might be legitimate — but treat it as unverified until you can independently confirm.
Is conversion-dev.svc.cul.columbia.edu legit or a scam?
Columbia University Libraries subdomain serving porn and scams per Ars Technica report, due to poor maintenance; site unreachable via DNS error.
These checks passed — but they don't clear the site. A clean antivirus result, valid SSL, and a calm server only mean it isn't hosting malware; they say nothing about whether the business is real. This verdict is based on the site's conduct and content, not a malware detection.
Analysis Summary
MT Intelligence
The URL is a subdomain under cul.columbia.edu, part of legitimate Columbia University Libraries with an active US registration. However, it reportedly hosts pages with unit conversions mixed with pornographic content, data leaks, and scams. Ars Technica highlighted this as a case of university websites abused due to shoddy housekeeping. No antivirus flags or blocklist hits, but one scam report and complaint outweigh the clean scans. The DNS error page confirms it's non-functional now, raising doubts about security.
Website Preview
Automated page render — captured in a safe sandbox. What an ordinary visitor would see when loading the site.
Visual Screenshot Analysis
We capture a fresh screenshot of the live page and ask a vision model to look for scam visual patterns — fake trust badges, countdown timers, overlay pop-ups, and visual clones of legitimate brands.
No scam visual patterns detected
Screenshot shows standard browser 'This site can’t be reached' error page due to DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN; no visual scam patterns present.
Web Research Findings
Our live research agent queries scam-report databases, consumer-review sites, news coverage, and general web search for conversion-dev.svc.cul.columbia.edu, then cross-checks business-registration records and look-alike domain patterns. Everything below is pulled from what it actually found.
- conversion-dev.svc.cul.columbia.edu is a subdomain of cul.columbia.edu, associated with Columbia University Libraries.
- Hosts numerous pages with titles related to unit conversions, pornographic content, data leaks, and scams.
- Reported by Ars Technica as serving explicit pornography and scam content due to shoddy housekeeping at universities.
- cul.columbia.edu used for legitimate library services like Aeon logon and timecard system.
- Columbia University Libraries has a Preservation & Digital Conversion Division established in 1974.
- Listed in Scamadviser weekly new domains.
- Ars Technicaopen
"All deliver explicit pornography and, in at least one case, a scam"
Subdomain of Columbia University Libraries (CUL), part of Columbia University
Antivirus Engines
Security Scans
Checked against the major public blocklists used by browsers and security tools — no hits.
Scam-Type Likelihood
1 scam-type patterns detected
0 of 13 categories showed signals
We check every URL against 13 distinct scam categories so the verdict tells you not just how risky the page is, but what kind of risk it carries. Each meter pulls from page signals, web reports, our AI analyst, vision, and the scam-network cluster — not from raw AV labels.
- AI analyst tagged this as phishing.
0 of 13 categories showed signals
We check every URL against 13 distinct scam categories so the verdict tells you not just how risky the page is, but what kind of risk it carries. Each meter pulls from page signals, web reports, our AI analyst, vision, and the scam-network cluster — not from raw AV labels.
- AI analyst tagged this as phishing.
Warning: phishing patterns
This page shows signs of attempting to steal credentials or impersonate a trusted brand.
- Treat conversion-dev.svc.cul.columbia.edu as unverified
Do not enter credentials or send money until you have independently verified the business.
- If you already typed your password — change it now
Change the password on the legitimate site and anywhere else you re-used it. Turn on two-factor authentication. Review recent account activity.
- OpenReport the phishing URL
APWG (Anti-Phishing Working Group) accepts phishing reports at reportphishing@apwg.org. Google Safe Browsing reports help protect other users.
- OpenGet help on the forum
MalwareTips members can help you assess damage and next steps.
Reputation Sources
How this domain rates across independent threat-intelligence and blocklist providers.
Safety FAQ
Common questions about this site, answered from the scan data on this page. These are auto-generated — not hand-written — so they always match the underlying report.
- Our automated security review marked conversion-dev.svc.cul.columbia.edu as suspicious. Several warning signs were detected; it may still turn out legitimate, but you should verify it through independent channels before trusting it with money or credentials.
- conversion-dev.svc.cul.columbia.edu currently scores 55/100 on our trust scale. We found enough warning signals to recommend caution. Verify the site through independent channels before entering credentials or money.
- No. All 91 antivirus engines in our malware network report conversion-dev.svc.cul.columbia.edu as clean.
- No. conversion-dev.svc.cul.columbia.edu is not currently listed on the major browser blocklist feeds that modern browsers use.
- We cache results for 24 hours. Signed-in MalwareTips members can trigger a manual rescan at any time using the "Rescan" button on the report page, which re-runs every check from scratch and refreshes this page.
Final Verdict
This is a subdomain of Columbia University Libraries that reportedly serves explicit pornography and scam content. Our research uncovered complaints about shoddy housekeeping leading to abuse. Avoid visiting as it currently shows a DNS error and poses risks.
Other Suspicious reports
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