utorrent (and some others) have the option of encrypting your traffic. Also some sites offer https security port as well. The main problem is that the RIAA etc say to the public sites (the US ones): Install a monitor for us on your tracker or we'll shut you down. Then they download stats from time to time and send out random letters. I would say to ignore them unless they send a court notice. Even then, if the court is in another state you could probably ignore that as well. There's plenty of sites where lawyers have given advice how to beat these racketeers. IMHO, never download unreleased or new movies/games/whatever that are still on show/on sale. Or certain disgusting content. You're just asking for trouble. Outside of that, play it by ear. Things like old roms, emulators and old games should be perfectly safe. IMO. About rapidshare etc: I've never heard of anyone getting in trouble for downloading from those sites, get what you can while you can, unless you hear differently.