And mostly it's related to cryptocurrency due to its aspect of being anonymous; hackers won't get easily captured by authorities because they weren't revealing anything personal such as names, email, or address. Also, due to its fast earning method, but don't get me wrong investing in cryptocurrency is a ratio of 50:50 of win or loss, but most people get dumped and lost their funds by following wrong decisions and wrong people.

What those scammers usually do is buy a ton of Youtube views as explained in this guide. That gives them a certain amount of credibility which makes it easier to fall prey for their scam.

Back to the topic.

Their way of scamming is, first; they will find a target. A Youtube channel with thousands or even millions of subscribers, especially a verified account with a verification checkmark next to the YouTube channel's name. Once they get access to this channel using different ways of hacking, including social engineering, hackers will change the channel's name to a famous person, influencer, a wealthy business guy, or a renowned company that will look legitimate. And will broadcast a Youtube live and offers fake giveaway e.g. "Send 0.1 BTC to this wallet address, and we will send 0.5 BTC back" seems legit, right? *insert sarcasm. This scam giveaway looks like the screen captured below from Youtube.

Source: ZDNet

Take note, be suspicious of too good to be true offers, most of them are scam.

If you're one of the Vloggers on Youtube or you are the person-in-charge to manage the YouTube channel of your company. I'm sure you don't want to become one of the victims of these malicious people. To secure your YouTube channel, we encourage you to take these four simple steps: 

Create a strong password

And do not share. A secure and strong password is a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters. Don't ever use an obvious password identical to your email, name, and birthday, GF/BF, or wife/husband anniversary.

Having a strong password will make your account too hard to hack at least for brute force and dictionary attack. And do not ever share your passwords with anyone.

Enable 2-Step Verification

An extra layer of security of your account, you need to enable this on your Google account. This works as each time you log in, you will receive a verification code from Google to your registered mobile number or to your other device where your account is currently login.

You can't log in if you enter a wrong verification code, does to anyone who has a copy of your password.

Remove access to your YouTube Channel

YouTube channels can be managed by two or more users, especially a company or a brand; even as an individual, you can add access to your other Google account. You should check this regularly. On your Youtube account, under the Settings on your dashboard, check if they're correct, as this determines who has access to your YouTube channel. Make sure not to reveal any sensitive information by making all highly personal videos private.

Avoid Phishing and Malware scams

For more information, there are different kinds of phishing attacks. This includes using email, SMS messages, phone calls, etc. But one thing in common of this attack is you will be lured to enter your account log in information such as your username, email, password, worst is your credit card, or bank account information using a mobile app or a website.

How to avoid this?

First, ask yourself, why?

Why you received a message from Youtube or the same from Google, Facebook, your bank, or the websites you're registered? After this question, I'm sure you need an answer, but don't ever click any links embed on the message yet.

More to read: beware of Viralyft.

So, second, if you received a message using your email, check the email if the domain name is really from their official website.

Now, if the attacker uses email spoofing in which the sender address looks the same as the original, which is it hard to recognize then.

Third, go their social media accounts such as Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, make sure it's the official account by checking the verified badge. Check if there's a post regarding the message you received, verify it on your own.

If you think that the message you received is phishing, you should report it to their website or social media accounts so that they will be aware and take necessary action against the attack and mark the email as spam. 

Bottom Line

No matter what account you're registered on, always verify the legitimacy of the message you received from email, SMS by going to their website or social media accounts to avoid being hacked. Observe the URL address on the message if it's truly the domain of the website. Be skeptical of link shorteners. And lastly, avoid clicking links attached, just copy the link, and search it on Google to verify. 

What is Y2Mate?

Y2Mate is an online service that allows users to convert and download videos from YouTube into various formats, primarily MP3 (audio) and MP4 (video). The platform is user-friendly, free to use, and does not require any software installation, making it accessible to a wide range of users. Its primary appeal lies in its simplicity and efficiency, enabling users to quickly convert and download content for offline use.

Key Features of Y2Mate

1. User-Friendly Interface

Y2Mate boasts a straightforward and intuitive interface that makes it easy for even the most inexperienced users to navigate. The process typically involves copying the URL of the desired YouTube video, pasting it into the Y2Mate search bar, selecting the desired format (MP3 or MP4), and clicking the download button. The simplicity of this process is one of the key reasons for Y2Mate's popularity.

2. Multiple Format Support

Y2Mate supports a wide range of formats. For audio conversions, it primarily offers MP3 but also supports other formats such as AAC, M4A, and more. For video, it supports MP4, 3GP, and other commonly used video formats. This versatility ensures that users can choose the format that best suits their needs.

3. High-Quality Conversions

One of the significant advantages of using Y2Mate is the quality of the conversions. The platform allows users to select the quality of the audio or video file they wish to download. For audio, users can choose from different bit rates, ensuring that they get the best possible sound quality. For video, Y2Mate offers various resolutions, including 1080p and 4K, if available.

4. Fast Download Speeds

Y2Mate is known for its quick conversion and download speeds. Unlike some other converters that may take a considerable amount of time to process a video, Y2Mate's servers are optimized to handle high traffic and deliver swift results. This is particularly beneficial for users who need to download multiple files in a short period.

5. No Registration Required

Another appealing feature of Y2Mate is that it does not require users to create an account or provide personal information. This aspect enhances user privacy and makes the platform even more convenient to use.

How to Use Y2Mate for YouTube to MP3 Conversion

Converting YouTube videos to MP3 using Y2Mate is a straightforward process:

1. Find the YouTube Video: Open YouTube and find the video you wish to convert.
2. Copy the URL: Copy the URL of the video from the address bar.
3. Paste the URL: Go to the Y2Mate website & open YouTube to MP3 option from Menu and paste the URL into the search bar.
4. Select MP3 Format: Choose MP3 from the list of available formats.
5. Download: Click on the download button, and the conversion will begin. Once the conversion is complete, the MP3 file will be available for download.

How to Use Y2Mate for YouTube to MP4 Conversion

Similarly, converting YouTube videos to MP4 is also simple:

1. Find the YouTube Video: Locate the video on YouTube.
2. Copy the URL: Copy the URL of the video.
3. Paste the URL: Navigate to the Y2Mate website & open YouTube to MP4 option from Menu and paste the URL into the search field.
4. Select MP4 Format: Choose MP4 as the desired format.
5. Download: Click the download button, and after conversion, the MP4 file will be ready to download.

Benefits of Using Y2Mate

1. Offline Access

One of the most significant advantages of using Y2Mate is the ability to access content offline. This is particularly useful for individuals who have limited internet access or are frequently on the move. By converting YouTube videos to MP3 or MP4, users can enjoy their favorite content without needing an internet connection.

2. Portability

Converting YouTube videos to MP3 or MP4 formats allows for greater portability. Audio files in MP3 format can be transferred to various devices such as smartphones, MP3 players, and tablets, making it easy to listen to music or podcasts on the go. Similarly, MP4 files can be viewed on multiple devices, including computers, smartphones, and smart TVs.

3. Customizable Quality

Y2Mate's ability to let users choose the quality of their downloads ensures that they can optimize file size and quality according to their preferences. This is particularly useful for users with limited storage space or those who prefer high-definition content.

Potential Drawbacks and Legal Considerations

While Y2Mate offers numerous benefits, it is important to consider potential drawbacks and legal implications.

1. Copyright Issues

One of the primary concerns with using Y2Mate is the potential violation of copyright laws. Downloading and distributing copyrighted content without permission from the rights holder is illegal in many jurisdictions. Users should be aware of the legal ramifications and ensure they have the necessary rights to download and use the content.

2. Quality Limitations

Although Y2Mate provides high-quality conversion options, the final quality of the downloaded file may still depend on the original video's quality on YouTube. Videos with low resolution or poor audio quality on YouTube will result in similarly low-quality downloads.

3. Security Risks

As with any online service, there is a risk of encountering malware or phishing attempts. Users should be cautious when using Y2Mate or similar services and ensure they have up-to-date antivirus software installed.

Conclusion

Y2Mate is a powerful and convenient tool for converting YouTube videos to MP3 and MP4 formats, offering a user-friendly interface, high-quality conversions, and fast download speeds. While it provides significant benefits such as offline access and customizable quality, users must be mindful of copyright laws and potential security risks. By understanding these factors, users can make the most of Y2Mate's features while staying within legal and safe boundaries.