Article  Things You Should Know Before You Download Music If you're a music lover the Internet is like heaven. You can now find and listen to songs from every artist you can think of. And when you download music, you can put the songs on your iPod or other mp3 player and listen to them on the go. It's the fastest and easiest way to get music. However, there are several things about downloading music that you need to know before you get started. The tips and information in this article will ensure you stay safe and legal when getting your music online. So, read this before you click that "download" button. The most important thing you should know is that peer to peer sharing programs are not a legal way for you to download your music. Programs like Napster, Kazaa, and Limewire that offer "free music downloads" are not a legal way for you to get music. Additionally, these programs often have music files that contain viruses. Also, the songs are frequently mis-labeled, making it difficult for you to get the music you want. A similar peer-to-peer sharing option is torrents. Don't be tempted by the appeal of free music as downloading albums from torrents is not legal, and it also carries the same virus risks as the programs listed above. The best way to get music online is through a trusted online retailer. Now, you might come across a lot of different online music shops, so it's important that you understand how to separate the reputable ones from the scammers. Always trust your instincts. If a website just looks sketchy, or if the claims just seem too good to be true, they probably are. You don't want to download music from them as the downloads could still be illegal even though you're paying for them. Instead, find an online retailer that you feel comfortable with. It's a good idea to do some research on the company just to make sure they're on the up and up. Trusted retailers have agreements in place with artists and record labels that allow them to sell their mp3s legally online.  When you find some trustworthy companies, it's important that you choose one that boasts a large music library. This will let you find all of the songs from your favorite artists as well as new songs from artists you haven't yet discovered. The best companies have music libraries with literally millions of songs to choose from. Undoubtedly, price will play an important role in determining which online music store you choose. While many companies sell mp3s individually, you can actually get a better deal if you find a company that offers a monthly subscription plan. Under such a plan, you get a specific number of downloads and unlimited music streaming each month. This gives you the best value for your dollar, and the music streaming lets you discover new artists and find the exact songs you want to download. Some services will allow you to sample their services for free. Under a free plan, you can stream music and even get a free occasional download. This lets you find out if their services meet your needs. If so, you can always upgrade to a paid monthly plan to get more downloads and unlimited streaming of your favorite music. If you want to download music online, make sure you follow all of these tips. This will keep you safe and legal while you get music from your favorite artists online. Category Internet Author Anonymous Add To Favorites Print This Article Email Article To A Friend Post Comments   Rate This Article (0) 1 - Poor2345 - Good678910 - Excellent Added On 02-19-2010