- FILE SHARING (DOWNLOADING MUSIC, VIDEO ET AL)

For many people, the whole point of having an internet connection in the first place is the ability to download music (especially MP3s), video, programmes and other files. The challenge here is to find what you need without also downloading an unpleasant surprise along with it. One of the simplest solutions is to stick with commercial sites like ITunes or Yahoo Music. Your chance of problems declines rapidly (none of them are 100% sure but they are pretty close) when you use them not to mention they're legal and some other places aren't.

Speaking of which, sources like Azereus, Kazaa and Limewire are also very popular (be careful about copyright infringement) but your chances of getting a virus skyrocket. Remember that you have NO idea who you are connecting to and while the hosts try to ensure they filter out things like viruses, they aren’t always successful. Worse yet, the people who disseminate viruses often disguise their work in a pretty package and you won't know it until you get a cryptic message from your antivirus saying its found a threat in "Hot Hit #2" (if it finds it in the first place).

There are a couple of things you can to try and avoid some of the threat including checking the file size of your download (most music is 3 or 4 megabytes or more...viruses tend to be smaller) and run a manual virus check on the file as soon as the download is complete. Remember though, there are NO guarantees this will protect you.

Meanwhile, the problem isn't restricted to downloads. There's no difference whether you download the file or your best friend does and he just gives you a copy. The result is the same. In short try to get your downloads from either a trusted site or directly from the author or artist. It could save you a lot of headaches.

Here's where to find the antivirus and antispyware software you need.

- THE TOOLS

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