iTunes vs. limewire

ok ok, i know i haven't been posting at all recently, but my schedule has been insane! and it is hard to think of things to write on a regular basis... but his one i really do want opinions on...
a lot of my friends and i have talked about this... is it better to use iTunes or limewire to download music? i don't mind using itunes even though i have to pay because i feel really weird using limewire, more because i know a bunch of people who had computer problems with limewire than because i don't like to skirt paying for my songs... but which one is better? getting the songs for free with possible viruses or paying for them and having a safe computer? also, is it better to pay for music than to not pay for it? any thoughts?