One of the major conveniences of internet technology is the ability users have to access enormous amounts of information, both popular and obscure, and share this information with each other. Among the most popular methods of doing so is through a peer-to-peer (P2P) network, which is used to make files available online for users to download. P2P file sharing is currently most commonly used to download free music and videos from the internet.

The practice of using a P2P network for file sharing is in fact a valid use of legal technology, but using a P2P file sharing network to download free music can lead to legal problems if a copyright is violated. Some feel that P2P file sharing programs encourage users to break the law by making it possible to download free music and share illegal files. In addition to copyright and moral issues, a more immediate threat exists in the use of P2P file sharing programs - the threat of infecting your computer with spyware when you download free music.

Many of the P2P software popular on the internet contains bundles of spyware, viruses, and adware, some of which can be quite persistent, remaining on your computer even after the software is uninstalled. Additionally, files transferred from P2P systems when you download free music can themselves carry spyware bundles. Some major computer security risks posed by P2P file sharing programs include:

1. Spyware that allows the P2P file sharing program to share the contents of your computer with other users.
2. The distribution and spreading of viruses, worms, and trojans.
3. Spyware that allows users of the P2P file sharing programs to track the acitivity of your computer, spy on your online activity, and use your computer's resources without your knowledge.
4. Persistent spyware and viruses that are difficult to remove and sometimes hide themselves on your computer and run without your knowledge.

Due to the anonymous nature of P2P file sharing, you can never be sure exactly what is included in a download when you download free music or other files from another user's computer, or what they will be able to access on yours. If you find it necessary to use a P2P file sharing program, it is important to take the following precautions:

1. Install and run antivirus/anti spyware software and keep it up-to-date.
2. Be sure your computer security package contains a firewall, a virus and spyware scanner, and a popup blocker, and keep these programs running at all times.
3. If possible, use a separate computer for all file sharing, one that doesn't contain any personal information and that you use only for P2P file sharing activity. Scan all files with your virus scanner and make sure you don't transfer them to your main computer or send them to anyone else.

While there are many benefits of using P2P file sharing programs, there are also plenty of risks. By taking the proper precautions, you can continue to use P2P networks without fear of infecting your computer. To learn more about the legal issues that are involved when you download free music, visit http://www.copyright.gov/.