You don't have to look hard to find places to download music online ? websites of all sorts will readily pop-up at your mouse click. Many will tempt you with fantastic free offers, including the software that enables you to download music online for free and then share it with other users. And while everybody knows that these music sharing or p2p sites are potentially dangerous, to resist their offers may be really difficult.

If RIAA suing ?online music sharers? is not something that can stop you from downloading free music files and you are still pretty much inclined towards p2p sites, be aware that you are putting yourself at risk. In case anything happens to you or your PC, nobody will bear responsibility, except for you, yourself. Just remember that there are legal and safe ways to download music online, even if you have to pay a few bucks.

The file share software available on p2p music websites is what you should be cautious about in the first place. Yes, it will let you download music online for free, but at the same time it may be a source of huge trouble ? with various malware and viruses coming along with it.

Adware, installed in most file sharing software, is what you can get as a package along with a music file. You may think that it is not harmful ? it is not a virus, after all. But your PC will be stuffed with unwanted advertising, which can cause its system to slow down or even collapse. Spyware is even worse, because it has the ability to gather your personal data and surfing habits; operating in conspiracy, it can even modify your files and computer system settings.

And needless to say, every time you download music online your computer gets exposed to viruses and worms of all sorts. Though file sharing and music downloading software evolve all the time, trying to find ways to protect the users from virus attacks, you are still in a very vulnerable position unless you decide to switch to a legitimate music downloading website.

If you are a regular visitor of p2p sites, the least you can do to protect your PC is make sure your antivirus program is effective and up-to-date. But even in this case you are not 100% safe; while antivirus and file sharing software advance, so do viruses and malware.

One more risk associated with downloading music online for free is pornography content. A music file, which you have downloaded, may turn to be a link to a porno site. Apart from new dangers for both your privacy and PC, your concern should be kids and teenagers who may use p2p sites for free music. If as a parent, that's where you spent most of your free time, chances are your child will follow your example.

It is crucial to learn as much as possible about the website and the file sharing software it offers. It also makes sense to surf around and see what your options are. After all, the last thing you want is to regret about your decision to download music online when there are so many other better methods.

Why not check out the available alternatives at my music blog where you can safely download music online and enjoy millions of songs for a one-time flat fee that even a teen can afford?