6) The Free Gift/Rewards/Sample Issue

Since these require a certain amount of your personal information to be shared in order for you to get these items, you have to be cautious with them. For example if you want a free sample, do you have to pay for something else or give out credit card information first? This area requires some basic questions that you should beasking yourself before opting for these freebies, such as:

1. Is the freebie worth the price that must be paid?
2. Do I have to buy something to get the freebie?
3. How much personal information do they require? (i.e. SSN, credit card info., bank information etc.)
4. Do I have to enter into a contract first?
5. is the freebie standing on its own or is there an added cost to pay?
6. what am I willing to do for my freebie?
7. Why is the site giving out freebies?
8. What’s in it for them?

These are important questions that you should get answers to if you really want to try to avoid being taken for a ride. As I explained earlier your freebie may not be all it is cracked up to be.

5) Viruses and Worms

Internet freebies from software and downloadables like music can also include viruses and worms which we all know can be fatal to computers. Most of these can be found in music downloads and movies. The reason is because of their popularity. Naturally your best bet in avoiding these is to avoid using the free site programs and instead go through cheap and paid services like iTunes.