Caution! Music and Video Downloading : Your Guide to Legal, Safe, and Trouble-Free Downloads

by Russell Shaw; David Mercer

• ISBN13: 9780764575648
• ISBN10: 0764575643
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-12-01
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

There's Safety in Knowledge. Are you informed? Everybody's doing it - downloading music and video from the Internet and sharing files. But you've always worried that such downloads might put your computer at risk, and wondered - are they legal? Relax. This book shows you exactly how to safeguard y our PC while enjoying music and video downloads from safe and legal sources. You'll get the facts, not the scare tactics, about online music services, virus dangers, spyware, identity theft, and other privacy concerns, with many tips to protect your computer and yourself. * Select download sites that are safe, legal, and sometimes free * Review major music downloading and file-sharing sites to choose the best service for your needs * Make informed decisions about direct downloads versus file sharing * Get the security track records of all the major file-sharing and direct-download sites * Understand the types of file-sharing attacks and know if you've bee victimized * Examine the unique risks associated with network use * Take a look at privacy laws and learn how to protect yourself online * Learn why illegal downloads aren't worth the risk * Download media files safely to your cell phone, MP3 player, or PDA

Author Biography

Russell Shaw is an author, journalist, technology analyst, and online educator based in Portland, Oregon. He has written numerous books and articles about multimedia content creation and enjoyment, wireless networking, digital photography and video, Web site content and design, and online investing. A train fanatic and a lover of the outdoors, he is proficient at carrying a camera bag and a backpack simultaneously.

Dave Mercer is the founder of Servata Online Applications. He is a computer consultant who has advised corporations, government, and non-profit organizations on information processing.

Table of Contents

Introduction to Music and Video Downloading.

Acknowledgments.

Part I: Safely Choosing and Using Music Services.

Chapter 1: Direct Downloading or File Sharing: Making the Right Choices for Efficiency and Safety.

Chapter 2: Managing Your Risk by Choosing the Best Direct-Download Service.

Chapter 3: Managing Your Risk by Choosing the Best File-Sharing Service.

Part II: Protecting Yourself Technologically and Legally.

Chapter 4: Behind the Scenes: What Really Happens When File Sharing.

Chapter 5: Dangers of Downloading or Sharing Files: The Nature of the Threat.

Chapter 6: Protecting Yourself and Your Computer.

Chapter 7: Protecting Your Network.

Chapter 8: Protecting Your Privacy.

Chapter 9: Protecting Yourself from Illegal Downloads.

Part III: Legal and Safe Fun with Downloaded Media.

Chapter 10: Safely Downloading Media to Portable Devices.

Chapter 11: Creative and Legal Music and Video Projects.

Part IV: Appendixes.

Appendix A: Music and Video Services.

Appendix B: Useful Information.

Appendix C: Chronicle of a Typical Digital Download.

Glossary.

Index.