123Movies: Is it safe to use in 2023? What are the alternatives? (2023)

123films used to beone of the most popular sites for streaming moviesonline and watch full TV shows. It has known many names including "GoMovies", "GoStream", "MeMovies" and "123movieshub". The official 123Movies website wasDismantled March 2018, but copies of the site are accessible via so-called mirror sites or clone sites.

Law enforcement agencies from around the world have kept a close eye on websites or services that allow users to view copyrighted content without paying for it. This might ask you:Are you allowed to stream movies and shows from 123Movies?? What do people do to protect themselves when using 123Movies? And what decent alternatives are there? We will answer all of these questions and more in this 123Movies review article.

Is it illegal to use 123Movies?

The use of 123Movies isillegal in most cases. Every country and region has its own stance on piracy of copyrighted content, but most seek to protect intellectual property by banning the downloading (and therefore streaming) of contentcopyrighted content. However, some countries allow it for personal use.

Since every country has different rules regarding copyright infringement and piracy, you should always do thisCheck your country's regulationsbefore visiting a site like 123Movies,popcorn time, PrimeWire orPutlocker.

These are some of the general attitudes towards piracy in different countries:

It is important to note that there is almostno difference between downloading copyrighted content and streaming it. With streaming, you download media and watch it in real-time, only to have it cleared from your cache when you leave the page. In that sense, streaming is the same asDownload a torrent, view them immediately and delete them when you're done.

What are the legal consequences of using 123Movies?

Not only do local laws differ when it comes to streaming, but they do tooCountries also have different consequences if you get caught streamingillegal content. For example, in Germany you can get a hefty fine if authorities find out you're downloading copyrighted content, while in other countries you might just get a warning.

Streaming services like 123Movies make it harder to prosecute users because they existno files are left on someone else's computerafter watching a stream. Despite this, you can easily be trackedyour IP addresswhen watching movies.

Not all countries enforce the rules by actively prosecuting people using illegal streaming services. Often,Authorities pursue the people who distribute the content, and not the individual viewers. However, if you're in a country that cracks down on copyright infringement, you might get a hefty fine in the mail. To learn more about it, read our article onFines for downloading.

How to Watch 123 Movies Safely

Because the use of 123Movies isnot allowed in many countries, we cannot condone it there. However, there are also countries where you are allowed to use such streaming websites for personal use.

In the countries where it's allowed, you have to do itProtect yourself from prying eyes, viruses and malicious website hostswhile using a 123Movies mirror. It is advisable to use antivirus software and a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to protect your data and device and watch movies safely.

1. Use a VPN to stream

Apopular and very affordable VPNIsSurfshark. Reliable VPN services like Surfshark will do the trickhide all your internet and streaming activitiesfrom your ISP and government agencies. It allows unlimited simultaneous connections so you and your whole family can remain anonymous online while streaming a 123Movies mirror.

However, remember that downloading and viewing copyrighted content is only legal in a small number of countries. AlthoughA VPN makes you anonymous onlineand to avoid getting caught using streaming services like 123Movies is still recommendedact in accordance with local laws. If you're not sure which rules apply, consult a local expert.

2. Use antivirus software for protection

Apart from a VPN, you will need an antivirus app to do thisProtect yourself against all types of malware. Streaming sites like 123Movies are usually littered with dangerous ads, annoying pop-ups and malicious links. Before you know it, your device could be infected withAdware, a computer virus or even something terriblelike ransomware.

We tested different antivirus solutions andNorton 360came out above. It offers robust security features with a high level of protection, so you can stream without worrying about computer worms or spyware.

Visit Norton 360

Is 123Movies safe to use?

We've already talked briefly about whether it's legal to watch content on a site like 123Movies. However, we did not address thispossible security risksin using any such website, apart from the fines you may receive.

The question "is 123Movies safe?" doesn't come with a simple yes or no answer. Since the original 123Movies no longer exists, there is no domain to consider. Instead, there are multiple copies with no quality control. Whether these mirrors are safe or not depends on many things, but mostly onthe person hosting the website.

Watch out for mirrors

The only way to access 123movies content isthrough copies of the website, also known as mirror or copycat pages. These are hosted and controlled by a third party who may or may not have been involved with the original 123Movies website.

With all these copies that could disappear after a short time, they existno real responsibilitymore. It's not that easy to look up a 123Movies review and verify its safety. Any mirror site owner could do thisinject their platform with malicious code or track your data. Additionally, platforms might be filled with annoying ads and pop-ups.

That is why the sad reality is like thisSome of the mirrors are safe and some are not. The only way to ensure you stay safe is to protect yourself with a VPN service andantivirus software. Otherwise, we would not recommend using 123Movies.

Access to 123Movies

Using 123Movies isn't legal everywhere, but in regions where it's legal, people must do itTake the necessary steps to stay safe. Here's how they do it:

1. You use aVPN service(For exampleSurfshark) and a good antivirus software (egNorton 360).
2. They make sure theyaccess to a real one123Movies-Spiegel.

When looking for a good mirror, these people could google the term "123Movies Mirror". However,Google doesn't always show these mirrorsin search results, so users may need to visit a website that shows a list of 123Movies mirrors.

Disclaimer: We do not condone illegal use of sites like 123Movies. We encourage you to check whether accessing 123Movies is legal in your country and act accordingly.If it's illegal, don't use it.

Legal 123Movies alternatives

Unfortunately, it's difficult to find free streaming websites that are legal. When dealing with copyrighted content, the easiest (legal) way to gain access is through passageWebsites or streaming services based on subscriptions.

These websites or services cost relatively little money and give you access to alarge database of (popular) movies and shows. While they don't always offer the latest movies and shows like illegal streaming sites often do, they do have pretty impressive collections. We have listed some popular legal alternatives to 123Movies below.

Geographic Streaming Restrictions

know thatNot all of the above legal alternatives work everywhere in the world. Some streaming services, like Hulu, focus solely on the United States, while others, like HBO Max and Amazon Prime Video, are only available in certain countries or have different libraries. If you want to access these geo-restricted services from another country, you need oneQuality VPNto change your virtual location.

Conclusion: The legacy of 123Movies

123Movies was a popular illegal site that acted as a streaming service. It enabled you to watch your favorite movies and TV shows online for free. Although the official site is no longer online, many are still wondering "Is 123Movies safe?" because there aremany similar websites where you can stream content.

The clone sites of 123Movies areare considered illegal sitesin some parts of the world as they redistribute copyrighted material without permission. If you live in a country where it's legal to watch 123Movies, you should always do sohave good anti-malware protection and use a VPNlike Surfshark to hide your actual IP address when visiting such sites.

If watching 123Movies is illegal where you live, there are somegood legal alternativesout there. Some even have a free version. To learn more about these alternatives and how to bypass geo-restrictions to watch them worldwide, check them outour streaming page.

Disclaimer: The above article aims to educate you about streaming services. We would like to emphasize that we are not lawyers andThis article does not contain legal advice. Every country has its own laws that are constantly changing. If you have questions about the rules and regulations in your country, please contact a local expert.

David JansenAuthor

Cyber ​​Security Analyst

David is a cybersecurity analyst and one of the founders of VPNoverview.com. Since 2014 he has been gaining international experience working with governments, NGOs and the private sector as a cybersecurity and VPN expert and consultant.

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