If you are someone who spent many years collecting a lot of music albums, CDs or cassettes of your favorite music in the past, you know how much time and space that takes up. But the current music downloads that are available today are easy-to-use in so many ways. This article will get you started with some great advice.
A great tip when downloading music is to preview similar artists on itunes. Most of the time, itunes will show a dozen of similar songs and artists on the right whenever you highlight a song in your library. This can be a great way to discover new music that you like.
Check your file size when downloading music. Most music files are about two to five megabytes. If you find that a file is much smaller, it might be a text file disguised as a music download. By downloading it, you could be putting your computer at risk of viruses, jeopardizing your personal information.
Make a backup of your music library. It takes quite a bit of time to create a large library of songs, not to mention money. It would be painful to lose all your files. Don’t assume you’ll be able to download the music again for free. Make sure that your music is stored somewhere else.
You should always have an antivirus program if you download music on a regular basis. 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.
Beware of using illegal means to download your music. There are many peer to peer networks out there that’ll give you access to lots of music. But this does open you up to potential legal problems and big fines if caught. These free files might also contain hidden malware. Overall, it’s a better and safer option to just purchase what you love.
If you’re downloading music from a little known source, make sure you have recently updated antivirus software running during the download. Anytime you aren’t sure of where the file is coming from, it’s a must to protect your computer. These files could be laced with malware and spyware. You’ll need top antivirus protection to secure your computer.
If you are downloading music from a site where the songs are free, you run the risk of getting a virus on your computer. Before downloading, check the size of the file. Although these file can be small, most range from 2MB-5MB. If the file is less than 250KB, steer clear since it is probably a text file. Most viruses are transmitted through maliciously coded text files.
If your taste in music changes a lot, consider using a site that allows you to stream music, rather than download it. Streaming allows you to listen to a large variety of songs, but the music never resides on your computer. This can save you money and space on your hard drive, so it is sometimes the better option.
Try registering an account with a major online music retailer. Getting accounts with some popular ones like Amazon and iTunes can give you access to many old and new tracks. Amazon has over 20 million songs in its database, while iTunes has over 500, 000 in its database. You are sure to find something that you like, and having an account can make checkout faster. You can also get some great recommendations based on your previous purchases.
If you enjoy quite a few of an artist’s songs, it is probably a good idea to buy the album. Regardless of the retailer you use, it is frequently far more cost effective to purchase an entire album instead of purchasing songs separately. It also offers more music. You could find a new favorite.
Do not download music illegally through file-sharing websites. What seems like a good idea to get free music can come back to bite you. Many internet service providers are now working with publishing companies to find and prosecute online pirates, and you do not want to be one of the unlucky ones.
Prior to downloading music, make sure you are on a broadband connection. Music files are not the same mammoth size as video files, but when you download lots of them, the overall download size can add up pretty fast. If you’re on a slow connection this can eat up a lot of time.
After reading this article, you may now realize that music downloads are something that anyone can use with ease. You will love having your favorite music to listen to at a moment’s notice in whatever listening device you choose to use. You will be tapping your fingers and toes quickly enough!