123Movies is one of the leading streaming websites comprising movies and TV shows which are free to stream or download.
This free streaming website originated in Vietnam and is a network chain of file streaming websites, as 123Movies also goes by GoMovies, GoStream, MeMovies, or 123movieshub.
The downside with most of the free movie streaming websites is the unlicensed content resulting in copyright infringement.
Similarly, 123Movies received no permissions or rights to stream copyright content, thus making it an illegal streaming website, which makes us ask the burning question – “Is 123Movies safe to use”?
Why is 123Movies Popular?
123Movies became popular across the globe because of the free content it offered.
Most of the movies and TV shows listed on the website requires different subscriptions to legally stream or download, costing an arm and a leg for viewers.
As everything was available for free on 123Movies, it gained a lot of attention quickly, turning it into a one-stop destination for everyone.
In addition, the flexibility offered by 123Movies was a massive show-stealer as viewers could stream unlimited content or download anything according to their wishes, and there were no limitations.
Why is 123Movies Banned?
Every movie and TV show is made with lots of effort and huge investment.
The production team earns back the money from airing in theaters, and further by selling satellite rights, which is where subscriptions come into play.
Pirating of movies and TV shows creates a loss to the production team as viewers don’t purchase subscriptions or visit theaters, as they are available for free.
To overcome piracy, the “Copyright Infringement Acts” were issued in many countries to protect creator rights.
If any individual or organization gets caught violating the creator’s exclusive rights, it is considered a serious crime.
Anyone caught for such actions is charged with a hefty fine along with potential imprisonment, and the sources used to stream pirated content are taken down.
123Movies was found guilty and taken down in the year 2018 as the website was caught pirating copyrighted content, leading to copyright infringement.
Is it Illegal to Watch 123Movies?
It is always illegal to watch or download content on unlicensed streaming websites, and the individual is considered to be encouraging piracy.
Even though it is considered illegal, many viewers still find a way around to stream or download content.
The stance on piracy varies by country, where some countries consider it legal when used for personal purposes.
Some countries consider all piracy illegal, but individuals are not prosecuted unless found distributing piracy.
On the other hand, In some countries piracy is considered completely illegal, and even individuals who just try to stream are considered guilty of crime too.
So, it is advised for viewers to check the Copyright Infringement Acts of their respective country before they visit unlicensed streaming websites such as 123Movies or it’s mirrors.
What Are Some Good 123Movies Alternatives?
There are many alternatives to 123Movies, here are some of the most prominent ones.
We do not endorse any of these websites, nor do we offer these as safe alternatives when you are unsure if 123Movies is safe to use:
- Vumoo: Vumoo is similar to 123Movies with an extensive collection of movies/TV shows, that are constantly updated. There are no restrictions regarding streaming or downloading.
- Streaming Sites: Streaming Sites is extremely unique and a great alternative to 123Movies. Instead of displaying unlicensed content, this website simply provides a list of free movie/TV show streaming websites, hence it hasn’t been taken down.
- Showbox: Showbox is a great alternative to 123Movies and the best part is it provides flexibility to users with it’s Android app. In addition, the user doesn’t need to register to stream/download content.
- MovieWatcher: MovieWatcher comes with a great collection featuring top movies and TV shows. The reason for considering this website is the refined UI and its recommendations feature.
- MovieRulz: MovieRulz comes with movies and TV shows from different languages and regions. If you want to check out content from other regions, MovieRulz is a great option.
Is 123Movies Safe to Use in Any Way?
Is 123Movies safe to use in 2023?
There is a great possibility of getting traced while watching unlicensed streaming websites if they are being watched by government agencies.
If you’re from a country with strict regulations, you must not risk visiting such websites as it might lead to large fines.
As we are talking about 123Movies, after it was taken down, several mirror sites surfaced online.
Considering there is a large number of mirrors and website alternatives, it has been difficult for governments and organizations to track them all down.
Many of these mirror websites track the viewer through IP addresses, and potential harm includes identity theft, security breaches, viruses, spyware, and other major cyber attacks.
To overcome such major threats, the only possible solution to watch 123Movies without concern is through the use of a VPN.
With the help of VPNs, one can achieve data privacy, security, and access to restricted regional websites.
In addition, one can also hide their identity, in order to watch 123Movies safely and securely.
Best VPN for 123Movies 2023
There are many VPNs available on the internet but not every VPN offers good features and a high level of security.
As visiting websites such as 123Movies is extremely dangerous, it is always advised to have a VPN that can make you anonymous and protect you against all potential attacks.
In addition, mirror websites are more prone to spyware and security breaches than the original website.
Hence the VPN must be robust and flexible to deal with it.
So we have done our research to find the best VPN for 123Movies and narrowed them down to three, which are:
1. NordVPN
NordVPN is one of the most advanced VPNs available on the internet, with outstanding features that are quite efficient and effective in keeping you safe from the dangers of the digital world.
NordVPN makes it to the top due to constant improvement in security and features.
Speaking of new features, NordVPN implemented a “Threat Protection” feature, where the user doesn’t necessarily need to connect to the VPN server.
Simply enabling this setting protects you from ads, trackers, and malware in real time.
In addition, there are other features that will improve your surfing experience.
As we are talking about 123Movies, features such as Dedicated IP, Dark Web Monitor, use of obfuscated servers, IP Masking, Kill Switches, and Double protection provide you the utmost safety and security.
123Movies is an illegal website, and its mirrors are even riskier; with the NordVPN encryption standards, you’re safe.
NordVPN has taken the steps to collaborate with the “Tor browser,” and the user can use the Onion network combined with NordVPN, creating outstanding security and anonymity.
The best part of NordVPN is the support for uninterrupted streaming, where the content can be watched without buffering, thanks to NordVPN’s 5200+ servers, which are spread across the world.
The most impressive feature of NordVPN is the strict no-logs policy, where no data is collected, tracked, or shared.
As a result, the user can use NordVPN in the comfort of not worrying about private data leaks.
Aside from all these features, NordVPN is extremely easy to use with multiple platform support.
Considering all the features on offer, NordVPN promises you the safety to visit websites such as 123Movies.
NordVPN comes with monthly and yearly packages, which are extremely affordable and flexible.
Hence, safe and secure surfing at a worry-free cost.
2. Surfshark
Surfshark is another outstanding VPN with improved security features designed specifically to face the dangers of the digital world.
Surfshark also concentrates on providing the utmost safety and security to the user while surfing the internet.
It comes with the “CleanWeb” feature, which aids the user to surf the internet with no ads.
In addition, it keeps the users safe from trackers, malware, and phishing attempts which are usually unpredictable and hard to stop.
With the help of Surfshark, the user can go anonymous by changing their IP, which, as a result being a victim of spyware is almost impossible.
Apart from these features, additional features such as advanced encryption, secure protocols, Kill Switch, Private DNS, and leak protection help the user surf 123Movies without worry.
Surfshark is quite effective and efficient to protect the user from viruses, identity theft, malware attacks, and data leaks.
Along with this, the support for bufferless streaming makes it reliable to watch content on 123Movies, and there are no bandwidth limitations while downloading content.
The best part of Surfshark is “Camouflage Mode,” where the user can go completely anonymous, and even the network provider might struggle to find that the user is using a VPN.
The most impressive feature of Surfshark is the no-logs policy which promises that no data is being collected and no activity is being tracked or shared.
Hence the user can rely on Surfshark without any worries.
In addition, the pricing is very affordable, and there are no device restrictions, along with multiple platform support.
3. Atlas VPN
Atlas VPN is one of the most prominent budget VPNs available on the internet, which is designed to withstand digital dangers using advanced techniques and aims to keep users safe and secure.
Atlas VPN comes with a Chrome extension and extensive and improved support for streaming, where the servers give buffer-free streaming and minimal performance issues.
In addition, there are no bandwidth limits and it can also bypass ISP throttling, making it arguably one of the best VPNs to watch and download content on 123Movies.
To achieve such impressive uninterrupted streaming and surfing, Atlas VPN uses its 750+ high-speed VPN servers, which are spread across the globe, with each server provides a promising and stable connection.
Considering that 123Movies is illegal and its mirrors are even riskier to use, one could easily become a victim of cyber attacks if visiting these sites without protective measures.
To avoid such outcomes, Atlas VPN comes to save the day with superior web traffic encryption along with a dedicated data breach monitor system.
Hence the user is covered and protected.
Similar to the other two VPNs we covered, Atlas VPN also comes with a no-logs policy.
As a result, the user can surf and stream without any worry about privacy leaks.
Apart from all these features, the network kill switch, MultiHop, IP changer, and safe browsing support make it an ideal way to watch and download content on 123Movies.
In addition, the user can visit geographically locked websites and unlock the content legally.
The most reliable part of Atlas VPN is the support for multi-platform compatibility along with no device restrictions, thanks to unlimited simultaneous connection support.
It is very affordable and flexible, with many plans made to match every customer requirement.
What to Look for In a VPN to Watch 123Movies Safely?
The most important things to look out for before selecting a VPN for 123Movies:
- The VPN should come with IP change support and must provide the user with the ability to hide their identity to prevent spyware and other adverse outcomes.
- Usually, most people complain about bad speeds when using a VPN. As you are planning on streaming and downloading content from 123Movies, the VPN should come with unlimited bandwidth, great buffer-free streaming, and great performance.
- The VPN should be comprised of advanced security features that are designed and aim to keep the user safe, such as AES-256 encryption, Kill Switches, Threat and leak protection, Private DNS, and many more.
- Must come with a strict no-log policy, so the user can use the VPN without any concern for data leaks.
- Should come with wide compatibility support and must have support for simultaneous connection for at least 5 devices at once.
- The VPN must offer plans which are affordable as well as flexible, so everyone can afford and use the VPN.
- The VPN must offer customer support around the clock, so if there are any issues while surfing, streaming, or downloading, they are resolved straight away.
FAQs
Are VPNs Legal?
Not always.
You might be confused seeing this question, as everyone is aware that VPNs are legal, but surprisingly VPNs are illegal in some countries.
Is the User Untraceable With A VPN?
Though VPNs do a great job at hiding your identity, it doesn’t mean you are completely untraceable.
For instance, government organizations can potentially still track you down if you’re committing a crime using a VPN.
To achieve more privacy on the internet, you can use the TOR browser along with a VPN.
What is a Kill Switch?
he Kill Switch is one of the most useful features provided by VPNs, where the user can terminate the connection instantly if there are any interruptions with the VPN server.
This feature is introduced so that the user can protect their IP from being exposed in case of network or VPN interruption.
Conclusion
VPNs provide the best possible security for users while surfing the internet.
It is always advised to use VPNs while surfing the internet, as the potential for cyber crimes is unpredictable.
One must be aware that VPNs won’t protect from everything, and if the user wants to visit a shady website, there are no promises.
Is 123Movies safe?
No it’s not.
But if you’re visiting websites such as 123Movies and its mirrors, the VPNs above can help you to safely stream and download (legal) content.
To conclude, prevention is better than cure; VPNs can be referred to as prevention as they keep you secure and safe when surfing by hiding your identity and preventing spyware with advanced encryption techniques and security features.
