Kieran Goodwin

"What should I be looking out for when it comes to downloading music? Is there anything specific I need to know to ensure I'm doing it both right and safely? To learn all about the topic of music downloads, we've prepared the expert advice found below just for you.

Back up your music library frequently. It takes a lot of money and time to build up a decent song library. It would be terrible to lose all of it. Your software just won't cut it. Ensure you pack up your tunes to a hard drive (external is best) and an online storage solution.

You should always have an antivirus program if you download music regularly. An antivirus program will scan a file before it is downloaded, letting you know whether the virus has a virus or not. If a virus somehow gets into your hard drive, then the antivirus program can neutralize and remove the virus.

Before downloading any music on a new site, make sure you read the reviews on that site to avoid downloading a virus. Read reviews that talk about malware or viruses. If any studies are indicating that the website has malicious files, you should avoid them. Even if there are no bad reviews, you should still be careful.

Watch the file sizes of your music downloads carefully. A normal music download will be somewhere between 2 megabytes and 5 megabytes. If you see something much less or much more, there could be something fishy about the file. It may be spyware and not the song you were hoping it was.

Safety is key when it comes to downloading music. That means you shouldn't download any music for free if it isn't offered directly by the artist, production company, or other promotional company. If you do, it is illegal, and you can face major fines if you are caught.

When you download a song online, check its size. If it is less than 2 megabytes, it is likely to be a virus unless it is a very short song. Most viruses are just text, and they don't take up much hard drive space, so be wary of small files.

If you install peer-to-peer networking software, don't install any of the add-ons or extra software it offers. These programs are often adware that can eat up resources on your computer or internet connection, plus they add no benefit to the software itself, so uncheck those boxes.

When deciding on a site to download your music from, check out reviews for their user interface. It is especially important if you are a newbie. Some have very complex user interfaces that can be difficult to navigate. Others are more user-friendly, and they are a better choice for a beginner.

Know that sometimes things aren't what they seem. If you use a dubious peer-to-peer network, a file labeled as music could be something else completely. It could be something malicious. See if there are any reviews or comments on the torrent before downloading. It'll help you make the best decision.

Once in a while, even the big MP3 stores offer free songs, so keep tabs on what they're up to. You can sign up for email updates or their newsletter to be updated when they put up such a promotion. In the end, free is free, so it's worth downloading!

When choosing to purchase music downloads, always ensure that you are buying from a high-quality source. Some companies offer poor MP3s, which can diminish your listening experience. Popular sources such as Amazon and Itunes usually have the best pricing and high-quality downloads that can appease even the hardest critics.

Stay away from websites that offer free music downloads. Most of them are not only illegal, but they are scams. Some will ultimately force you to download software that can damage your computer and is often riddled with viruses. Other websites are downright illegal and take money away from the musicians.

Are you considering a Google Play subscription? Well, you might know that this is a very affordable option at the moment. On top of that, you can download the MP3 in its entirety, meaning you own it and can do with it what you wish. Sadly, you do have to enter a credit card number.

Pay attention to DRM. Owning things online can get a little tricky. You may have to be online to listen to music or use only a specific program. With DRM-protected music, you may end up paying more or losing access to the music you've purchased. Make sure you check whether the music or subscription service you're paying for has specific rules regarding DRM.

Keep away from sites the make you download software to play music. Installing software from sites other than big brands like Amazon or iTunes is a risky business. You can put your computer at risk and have your online surfing tracked. You may even put yourself at higher risk of identity theft.

Want access to thousands of songs without clogging up your hard drive? Invest in a subscription from a site like Spotify instead of purchases on iTunes or Amazon. It allows you unlimited streaming of songs from their massive catalog, plus it's legal. That said, you need an internet connection to listen, of course.

Be sure to have a backup plan for your music downloads. If you're buying through a major provider, you're likely covered as you can re-download your purchase at any time. But if you are downloading via other means, you'll want to make a backup copy of your music files. A simple hard drive failure can destroy thousands of digital music tracks.

To make yourself a master of the topic, you have read this article in full. Now you need to share that knowledge with the world as you put it to use. Be sure to let others know what you know so that they can benefit as well."    youtube downloader online