Downloading from File-Trading Networks

Some of the best music on the Internet doesn't come from any Web site it comes from other users. Over the past few years, the Web has seen a profusion of file- trading networks, where you can swap music files with your fellow computer users. You connect your computer (via the Internet) to the network, which already has thousands of other users connected; when you find a song you want, you transfer it directly from the other computer to yours.

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One bonus to accessing a file-sharing network is that you can often find more than just music files. It's common to find movie files, software applications, and even dirty pictures on a file-trading network. You just never know what's available online.

Of course, file trading works in both directions. When you register with one of these services, other users can download digital audio files from your computer, as long as you're connected to the Internet.

Where to Trade Files Online

Most file-trading networks require you to download a copy of their software and then run that software whenever you want to download. You use their software to search for the songs you want; the software then generates a list of users who have that file stored on their computers. You select which computer you want to connect to, and then the software automatically downloads the file from that computer to yours.

The most popular of these file-sharing services include

• Gnutella (www.gnutelliums.com)

• Grokster (www.grokster.com)

• iMesh (www.imesh.com)

• LimeWire (www.limewire.com)

• KaZaA Media Desktop (www.kazaa.com)

• Morpheus (www.morpheus.com)

Downsides to File Trading

There are a few downsides to swapping music over a file-trading network and they're serious enough to keep many users away.

First, if you're trading copyrighted songs (which you probably are), it's illegal. The Recording Industry Association of America keeps itself quite busy filing lawsuits against file swappers regular users, like you and me. This is serious stuff; if you don't want to risk getting sued, you shouldn't use a file-trading network.

Second, when you install some file-trading programs, you also install spyware. As you learned in Chapter 30, "Protecting Your PC from Viruses, Spam, and Other Nuisances," spyware can track everything you do on your computer and feed that information back to some marketing service. KaZaA is particularly notable for its intrusive spyware, which apparently pays for its otherwise free service. If you don't like spyware inhabiting your PC, stay away.

Third, many file-trading networks are rife with computer viruses. You might think that you're downloading an audio file, but instead find yourself loading the latest computer virus onto your hard disk. These file-trading networks don't have any oversight (unlike paid sites), so you never know what you're actually downloading. Unless you're extremely diligent about using antivirus software and checking every file you access, download at your own risk.

These risks, however, are unique to file-trading networks. If you download from a reputable online music store, or even one of the free music download sites, you don't face any of these issues. Files downloaded from Napster 2.0 and the iTunes Music Store are legal and free from spyware and viruses. If you want a guaranteed safe downloading experience, stick with one of the commercial sites and stay clear of the file-trading networks.