Ever since the Internet has been around, downloading music has never been simpler. Even the hardest of songs can be downloaded to your computer or mp3 player. But, what most people do not realize is that there is more to the music downloading world than meets the eye. Read about it here.

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.

A great tip to use when thinking about downloading music is to start using pandora radio. Pandora radio can be a great way to discover new music that's similar to music you already like. You simply create a station based around a song or artist you like, and it will playback similar music for you.

Keep an eye out for promotions when looking for digital music. Check back often, you can often find freebies as well.

Before you download, install virus protection. There is nothing wrong with exercising lots of caution. Always be safe when downloading songs. This is especially crucial if you're using P2P clients. Run a scan on the files you download before opening them. It can be easy to download something you didn't intend to.

If you want to try out some more obscure artists, keep your eyes peeled for free music available from them. Even the most popular DJ speakers sites, like Amazon and iTunes, offer free downloads from time to time. This is great way to build your music library without spending money on tunes you may or may not like.

When downloading music online, make sure that you only download files with the correct extension. Never download files with .exe file extensions. This extension can harm your computer. It can hijack your computer system and completely destroy it. Even worse, you could open yourself up to identity theft or other security issues.

Free Music Archive and The Internet Archive offer free music that is completely legal to download. Check them out if you are working on building your collection. They often contain music from obscure or lesser known artists, and the music spans every genre. Downloading is simple once you are at the site.

Have you come across a music file that you want to download but find yourself totally unfamiliar with the website on which it appears? Prior to downloading, search for online reviews of the site. You need to find out if the site has been checked for viruses or malware. In the event that you find such topics posted by reviewers, avoid using that website completely.

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.

When deciding on a site to download your music from, check out reviews for their user interface. This 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.

Avoid the temptation of downloading popular music from new websites that promise you free music downloads. Due to copyright reasons, most legitimate music downloads are available only with a fee. Websites that advertise free downloads of the latest songs need to be scrutinized because there are often strings attached to their offer which makes the download much more complicated.

Check out sites online which aggregate deals on sites like iTunes and Amazon when it comes to music. For example, DealNews provides up to the minute updates on what is on sale on many different sites, including those which sell MP3s. You can even subscribe by email for alerts.

If there is a specific band you like, sign up on their website. You may be offered samples of new music or even a free MP3 from time to time. On top of that, you can get discounts when you buy tour tickets or their album online along with other perks.

You might be surprised, but The Internet Archive actually archives more than just websites. They have tons of MP3s which are free for the taking. They're trying to archive the whole World Wide Web, and that gives you the opportunity to get some music for free.

Those who download files from various DJ qubert websites need to have an up-to-date antivirus software on their computer. This antivirus program protects your computer two different ways. First, you can scan a file before you download it. Your antivirus program should inform you about any suspicious coding or viruses. Occasionally, a virus will trick your antivirus program and get onto your hard drive. If this should happen, your program can neutralize and remove the virus and protect your computer from damages.

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 which can damage your computer and is often riddled with viruses. Other websites are downright illegal and take money away from the musicians.

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 music you've purchased. Make sure you check on whether or not the music or subscription service you're paying for has specific rules regarding DRM.

As this article has proven to you, there is a lot more to downloading music than you have thought there was. However, since you have read the article above, you are aware of the ins and outs of music downloading. Put the tips above to use and have fun with your new downloads.