There is a growing trend among music lovers, downloading songs and videos via share sites. Many of us remember the spectacle that was Napster and the uproar it caused among music industry professionals. Today, there are many popular sites dedicated to helping music lovers share files with others across the globe. While the legalities of this may be somewhat murky, one thing that is true about the process is that users who are not careful often find themselves downloading more than their favorite song.
In this media driven age, of course there are people out there who have made it a goal to determine ways to utilize file share sites to spread malicious viruses, adware, spyware and more. Users who opt to download files in this manner often find themselves with a system that is completely hosed or performing poorly. Malicious software is common on these sites.
Anyone who opts to still use file sharing sites needs to take the time to understand the risks and to take steps to protect themselves from a possible attack. There is some indication that it is often possible to tell from the size of a file if there is something ‘extra’ tacked on to it, so it is a good idea to check and compare several different files before selecting one to download. Doing so may help protect you from downloading something malicious.
It is also a good idea to install anti-virus software including anti ad, spy and malware software. Users should be sure to regularly update this software to stay ahead of the curve. Be sure to create a safe backup as well.
Downloading music online is something many us do – but how many of us take the steps needed to protect ourselves?