Is Keepvid safe to use?
What is Keepvid?
Keepvid is a video download service that allows users to download videos from popular video-sharing sites like YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, Twitch, and others (KeepVid). It was created in 2009 by a company called KeepVid to provide an easy way for people to save videos to their computer.
The main purpose and functionality of Keepvid is to convert videos into downloadable file formats like MP4, FLV, 3GP, etc. Users simply copy and paste a video URL into the Keepvid website, choose their preferred format and quality, and can then download the video file to their device. This allows people to watch videos offline or transfer videos between devices without an internet connection.
In addition to the website, Keepvid also offers browser extensions and mobile apps that provide similar video downloading abilities. The service supports thousands of video sites and claims to be able to download videos faster than other converters.
Is it Legal?
KeepVid operates in a legal gray area when it comes to downloading videos from sites like YouTube. The main issue is copyright and whether KeepVid violates the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).
YouTube’s Terms of Service prohibits downloading videos without permission. However, KeepVid argues that it simply retrieves videos that users have already uploaded and made public on YouTube. KeepVid provides a tool to download the videos, but does not host the copyrighted content itself.
According to KeepVid’s Legal Disclaimer, “All videos published on third party websites are the sole property of the source website. KeepVid does not accept responsibility for content hosted on third party websites accessed through the services.”
Nonetheless, many argue that KeepVid facilitates copyright infringement by making it easy to save copies of videos without authorization. Major media companies have filed takedown requests against KeepVid under the DMCA.
In summary, while KeepVid itself may not directly host copyrighted content, its services likely violate most video sites’ ToS. Users should be aware of the legal gray area when downloading videos with KeepVid.
Safety and security risks
There are some significant safety and security risks associated with using Keepvid that users should be aware of. The main risks come from potential malware and viruses that can be installed on your device through using the site. Several security experts have analyzed Keepvid and found it attempts to install various malware, adware, and other potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) without the user’s consent (Source). These programs run secretly in the background and can slow down your device, show intrusive ads, or spy on your browsing activity.
In addition to malware, Keepvid is known to contain harmful spyware and adware that tracks user behavior online. Some reports indicate Keepvid installs spyware that logs keystrokes and other sensitive data. The installed adware displays pop-up, banner, and flash ads even when you aren’t actively using the site. These invasive ads are difficult to remove once installed. There are also concerns that Keepvid captures personal information without permission. Overall, experts advise avoiding Keepvid due to the extremely high risk of malware infections from using the site (Source).
Privacy Risks
Keepvid has faced scrutiny over its data collection and tracking practices. According to its privacy policy, Keepvid claims it “doesn’t collect any data” from users and that visits are “100% private and untrackable” (https://keepvid.to/223-privacy).
However, some experts argue that Keepvid may still gather user data through analytics tools and third-party partnerships. There are concerns that personal information like IP addresses could be logged when using Keepvid, allowing user activities to be monitored (https://keepvid.ch/privacy-policy).
Overall, Keepvid’s privacy protections appear unclear and questionable. Users who want to maintain complete privacy may want to avoid Keepvid or take precautions like using a VPN.
Alternatives
There are some safer alternatives for downloading YouTube videos. One popular option is 4K Download, which allows you to download videos in multiple resolutions and formats. It’s available as a desktop application for Windows and Mac as well as a browser extension. 4K Download does not install any adware and promises not to collect private user data (Source).
Another alternative is the open source YouTube downloader extension yt-dlp, which can be added to browsers like Firefox. The code is transparent and frequently audited by the community. As a browser extension, yt-dlp doesn’t require installing unknown software on your computer (Source).
For mobile users, Newpipe is a free YouTube downloader app for Android that lets you download videos without ads or account registration. As an open source project, its code is visible and constantly scrutinized. Newpipe does not collect any user data by default (Source).
Tips for safe usage
When using KeepVid or any online video downloader, it’s important to take precautions to protect your privacy and security. Here are some tips:
Use an ad blocker
Ad blockers like uBlock Origin can help prevent malicious ads and popups that may contain malware or try to trick you into clicking links. These extensions are available for all major browsers.
Use a VPN
A VPN (virtual private network) masks your IP address and encrypts your internet traffic. This makes it harder for third parties to see what you’re doing online. VPNs also allow you to change your virtual location, so you can access region-restricted content.
Some good VPN options are ExpressVPN and NordVPN.1
Install antivirus software
Antivirus programs like Malwarebytes can scan downloads for malware and block malicious sites. This provides an extra layer of protection beyond your operating system’s built-in security.
Also make sure your antivirus definitions are regularly updated so you are protected against the latest threats.
Expert opinions
According to an expert on the Video Stack Exchange, “Any expert opinion is most welcome on this. Thanks in advance. video … @jiggunjer keepvid.com lets you download videos from YouTube. They …” (Source). This suggests that experts acknowledge KeepVid enables downloading YouTube videos, though the implications on safety and legality require further analysis.
Overall, there is limited commentary from cybersecurity experts specifically regarding KeepVid. More analysis may be needed to determine if the site poses significant risks based on its technical functionality and track record. Consulting cybersecurity professionals could provide valuable perspective.
User experiences
On review sites like ProductHunt, Keepvid receives mixed reviews from users regarding its safety and reliability. While some find it easy to use for downloading videos, others complain about it installing malware or adware on their devices without consent.
One user on ProductHunt said, “I tried using it and it installed a bunch of bloatware on my PC without asking. Stay away from this sketchy site.” Others report issues like their antivirus blocking it or getting redirected to suspicious sites when trying to download videos. There are also complaints of it slowing down systems due to unwanted programs being installed.
However, a few users noted it worked as expected for them and they didn’t experience problems. But the majority of recent reviews indicate users encountering security risks, making Keepvid’s safety questionable based on user experiences. It’s best to exercise caution and have robust antivirus protection if choosing to try it.
The Verdict
When reviewing the safety and risks of using Keepvid, there are a few key takeaways:
Safety: Keepvid poses some potential safety risks due to the nature of downloading videos from outside sources. There is a chance of malware infection if downloading from untrusted sites. Overall safety level is moderate.
Privacy: Keepvid provides little transparency into their privacy practices and data collection policies. There are reports of intrusive ads. This raises privacy concerns for users. Privacy protection is low.
Legality: Downloading videos may infringe on copyright. Keepvid does not have licenses from video hosting sites. There are legal risks, especially for heavy usage.
Alternatives: Other video downloaders have better safety and privacy protections. YouTube-dl is open source. 4K Video Downloader focuses onbeing malware-free. Consider alternatives to avoid Keepvid’s shortcomings.
Overall, the potential safety and legal risks outweigh the usefulness of Keepvid’s video downloading abilities. Casual video downloading may be fine, but it’s recommended to avoid extensive usage of Keepvid and instead opt for safer and more transparent alternatives.
FAQs – Common questions about Keepvid
Here are some common questions that users have about Keepvid:
Is Keepvid legal to use?
The legality of Keepvid is questionable. While it can be used to download videos from many sites, doing so may violate the terms of service of those sites. Users should be aware of the potential legal risks of using Keepvid before downloading videos. Some experts argue that Keepvid facilitates copyright infringement by letting users download videos they do not own the rights to (Legal in the Netherlands, but infringes Youtube’s Terms of Service: Keepvid FAQ).
Does Keepvid compromise privacy or security?
There are some potential privacy and security risks to using Keepvid. When downloading videos, it will access your browsing data and YouTube viewing history. Keepvid also requires users to disable ad blockers, which further exposes your browsing habits. There have been some concerns over spyware, though the site claims it is scan-tested (Under “Is it safe?” section: How to download online video with Keepvid). Users should be cautious and use antivirus software as an added precaution.
Why am I unable to download a video with Keepvid?
There are a few common reasons why Keepvid may fail to download a video. The site or video host may have blocked the ability to download. Certain videos are also protected by digital rights management which prevents downloading. Try copying the direct video URL and pasting it into Keepvid to troubleshoot (See: [KEEPVID] What can I do if fail to download the video?). If it still fails, the video may be restricted from downloading.