Is savefrom.net legit or a scam?
Established YouTube downloader (since 2008) known for distributing adware, aggressive redirects, and tracking software despite clean antivirus scans.
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
Warning signs detected
Established YouTube downloader (since 2008) known for distributing adware, aggressive redirects, and tracking software despite clean antivirus scans. Several risk indicators suggest caution. This site might be legitimate — but treat it as unverified until you can independently confirm.
Website Preview
Automated page render — captured in a safe sandbox. What an ordinary visitor would see when loading the site.
MT Intelligence
SaveFrom.net has operated since 2008 and maintains valid infrastructure with no antivirus-engine detections. However, the evidence package reveals a consistent pattern of adware distribution tied directly to the domain. Malwarebytes specifically names Adware.SaveFrom as a detection family linked to savefrom.net, distributed via browser extensions and web push notifications. Multiple independent sources—including Apple Discussions, Hacker News, and LinkedIn—report users encountering malware redirects, unwanted helper extensions, and aggressive advertising after using the service. The site ceased US operations in 2020 due to copyright-holder pressure, and downloading YouTube videos through it violates YouTube's terms of service. While some independent trust aggregators assign moderate scores (75.5 on one platform), the consensus from security researchers and user reports is that the site carries significant adware and privacy risks despite its age and established presence.
Web Research Findings
Our live research agent queries scam-report databases, consumer-review sites, news coverage, and general web search for savefrom.net, then cross-checks business-registration records and look-alike domain patterns. Everything below is pulled from what it actually found.
- Domain registered March 12, 2008 (over 18 years old), expires 2029, registrar Tucows, hosted on Cloudflare; operated by Uliona Limited (Seychelles).
- Malwarebytes specifically detects Adware.SaveFrom family tied directly to savefrom.net, distributed via browser extensions and web push notifications.
- Multiple user reports of aggressive ads, redirects to dubious/malware sites, unwanted helper extensions, and one reported PowerShell scam during download.
- Site banned/ceased services in the United States in 2020 due to copyright holder attacks; downloading from YouTube via the service is illegal.
- Trustpilot shows limited reviews (avg ~3.5/5); Scam Detector gives medium-high score (~75); many sources note it works but carries adware/privacy risks.
- Reddit threads frequently discuss safety concerns, with users reporting adware, redirects, and hijacks after use.
- No major financial scam reports found; primary issues are adware distribution, intrusive advertising, and tracking of user downloads/IP.
- Malwarebytesopen
"Adware.SaveFrom is Malwarebytes’ detection name for an adware family that shows advertisements hailing from the domain savefrom.net."
- Apple Discussionsopen
"SaveFrom.net is a known distributor of adware and not to be trusted... That site has an ad that leads to adware... Please do not trust SaveFrom and their installs. I was not paranoid enough and found they loaded Spyware/Adware into my Mozil"
- Hacker Newsopen
"you'll get a new tab that tries to get me to install malware... seems like a high risk of getting malware... tries to get you to pay for a subscription"
- LinkedInopen
"Beware of Savefrom[.]net YouTube Downloading Scam ! ... a user was instructed to: Press Windows Key + R ... paste a mysterious PowerShell command."
- Scam Detectoropen
"The Scam Detector website Validator gives savefrom.net a medium-high trust score on the platform: 75.5."
- Any Video Converteropen
"While SaveFrom.net performs well as a free online video downloader, it is not entirely secure and does indeed have some issues."
- Video Converter Factoryopen
"In short, I believe SaveFrom.Net is not a dangerous site, but it is definitely not a safe site, at least not 100% safe."
Operated by Uliona Limited (Seychelles company); domain registered 2008 via Tucows; privacy-protected WHOIS with Charlestown, KN listed; also linked to NOVAMIND AI LTD (Israel) for associated app
Malwarebytes identifies Adware.SaveFrom as a detection family directly tied to savefrom.net, distributed via browser extensions and web push notifications. Users across Apple Discussions, Hacker News, and LinkedIn report malware redirects, unwanted helper extensions, aggressive ads, and one documented PowerShell scam attempt during downloads. The site ceased US operations in April 2020 following copyright-holder pressure. Independent trust aggregators show mixed assessments: one platform assigns a medium-high score (75.5), while security-focused sources consistently note the service carries significant adware and privacy risks. No major financial scam reports were found; the primary concerns are adware distribution, intrusive advertising, and user-tracking behavior.
Antivirus Engines
Security Scans
Checked against the major public blocklists used by browsers and security tools — no hits.
Contact Verification
We fetched the page and looked for real-world contact details. Legitimate businesses almost always publish an email on their own domain, a phone number, and a postal address. Scam shops usually don't.
- No contact email found anywhere on the page.
- No postal address visible on the page.
- Phone number listed (2008-2020).
Domain & Encryption
Redirect Chain
- 1301http://savefrom.net/
- 2302https://savefrom.net/
- 3302https://en1.savefrom.net/18CX/cross-domain
- 4200https://us.savefrom.net/cross-domain
Server Reputation
Proceed with caution
Our automated review flagged enough risk that you should treat this site as unverified.
- Treat savefrom.net as unverified
Do not enter credentials or send money until you have independently verified the business.
- Verify the business through independent channels
Check the company's social profiles, registry records, and search for recent news or reviews that are not hosted on the site itself.
- Never use irreversible payment methods
Crypto, gift cards, wire transfers, and cash apps offer zero buyer protection. Use a credit card or PayPal if you must pay.
- OpenShare your experience
If you have additional context, drop a comment below or post on the MalwareTips forum.
Reputation Sources
How this domain rates across independent threat-intelligence and blocklist providers.
Safety FAQ
Common questions about this site, answered directly from the scan data above — so the answers always reflect the latest verdict on this page.
- Our automated security review marked savefrom.net 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.
- savefrom.net 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.
- Yes. savefrom.net presents a valid TLSv1.3 certificate issued by Google Trust Services · WE1, expiring in 65 days. Note that SSL only encrypts the connection — it does not guarantee that the site itself is trustworthy.
- savefrom.net is 18.3 years old, registered on 3/12/2008 through Tucows Domains Inc.. Scam domains are often freshly registered — a site under 6 months old warrants extra caution.
- No. All 92 antivirus engines in our malware network report savefrom.net as clean.
- No. savefrom.net is not currently listed on the major browser blocklist feeds that modern browsers use.
- savefrom.net resolves to an IP operated by Cloudflare, Inc. in US (usage type: Content Delivery Network). Hosting location alone doesn't make a site good or bad, but unusual geography for a brand's claimed country is one of many signals we weigh.
- Yes. savefrom.net sits in the global top-100k on Cloudflare Radar, which means it has substantial real-world traffic. That does not automatically make it safe, but established brands almost always rank here and throwaway scam domains almost never do.
User reviews & comments(0)
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