While downloading music is easy and legal--so long as you follow all copyright laws--there are some concerns of which you should be aware. Make sure your MP3 music downloads are not filled with hidden programs that will ruin your music experience, and invade your privacy as well.

For example, spyware is nearly always present in MP3 freeware and shareware downloads. The spyware gathers information and monitors your computer activities without your knowledge. This unscrupulous use of Internet has resulted in thousands of innocent users being victims of identity theft and fraud.

Secondly, adware (a form of unsolicited spyware that sends advertising directly to your computer) is also contained in many of these MP3 download networks. Your computer will be saturated with unwanted and intrusive ads.

Also prevalent on MP3 networks is pornography. Be very alert to fact that porn distributors disguise there software as latest "free" MP3 download or game demonstration to redirect your computer to their sites.

Finally, be aware of "spoofing." Spoofing occurs when download networks are filled with fake music files. For instance, you download what you think is a popular song, but all you get is same ten seconds of song over and over again.

In your search for best downloadable MP3 sites, and to create your own music library of your personal favorites, be very selective of sites you use. Probably best known site is MP3.com, but there are literally hundreds of other sites such as Amazon.com, Glide Magazine, SoundShelf and ArtistGigs.com that offer free MP3 downloads.

In pay for music subscription services, two of best are probably EMusic and Apple's iTunes Music Store, but again there are hundreds of other options.

By downloading your favorite songs and burning them on to CD, you can truly create your own personal library. Download away, turn up volume, and sing along!