How to Download Songs Safely
Downloading music is one of the easiest and most cost-efficient ways to fill your music library with your favorite songs. There are plenty of services on the Web offering safe, legal music downloads. There also are a few key things computer users can do to keep their systems safe. These practices can be applied not just to music, but to anything you decide to download to your computer.
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Instructions
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Use the most powerful and up-to-date anti-virus, anti-malware, and anti-spyware software you can find. Many hackers and scammers will try to infect your computer with malicious software by attaching it to music downloads or creating fake song files. Norton and McAfee are reputable anti-virus software providers. Ad-aware is a free, reputable anti-spyware software that can be downloaded from the Web.
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Download music only from safe, recognizable sources. Amazon.com, Apple’s iTunes store, Napster and other large brands go to great lengths to protect your downloads.
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Avoid peer-to-peer networking software and torrent websites. Not only is much of what is available illegally copied--breaking international copyright law--it might open your computer to attack, as harmful software often is distributed through these networks.
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Scan any files you download with your anti-virus software, and back up your system regularly. While your anti-virus might catch things as they come, nothing can beat preparation for avoiding viruses.
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Tips & Warnings
Anti-virus software might not catch everything–it is critical to keep malware and spyware detection active on your system.
Never download music from any place or person you don’t trust–if you feel uncomfortable about a transaction, go elsewhere. You’ll find the songs you’re looking for at plenty of legitimate retailers.
References
- Photo Credit computer virus image by Marina Bartel from Fotolia.com
