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Is 123movies Safe in 2024?

Is 123movies safe

Due to copyright infringement issues and online piracy laws, 123movies is constantly being shut down by the authorities. However, you can still find lots of 123movies clone sites to watch your favorite movies and TV shows online.Ā 

Unfortunately, some of 123movies mirror sites might contain malicious links. These can infect your device with malware and compromise your data. These clone sites have tons of ads, so they’re annoying to use because movies and site pages load pretty slow.Ā 

Because of this, you need to make sure your device and data are protected whenever youā€™re browsing 123movies and its mirror sites.

Using a VPN for 123movies is the easiest and most effective way to do that. A VPN hides your real IP address, encrypts your data, and comes with useful security and privacy features. This way, Ā you can have a safe and unrestricted streaming experience.

Best VPNs for 123movies – shortlist:

  1. NordVPN – Best overall VPN for secure streaming on 123movies.
  2. Surfshark – Offers unlimited simultaneous connections.
  3. AtlasVPN ā€“ A great budget choice that comes with a free plan.
  4. PrivateVPN – Simple, easy to use, and very affordable.
  5. ExpressVPN – Large server network with strong security.

Test Your VPN Knowledge ā€“ Take A Quiz!

Is 123movies Safe and Legal?

123movies isnā€™t a legal site, but this also depends on local laws. Each country has its own laws about intellectual property rights. In some countries, you may just manage a warning if you are caught streaming illegal content, but some laws involve serious fines.

As a result, 123movies is illegal in most regions since itā€™s distributing copyrighted content. To make sure 123movies is legal in your region, check your local laws before using it.Ā 

One more important thing to mention is that internet service providers (ISPs) may also pose a risk to users who stream movies online. ISPs are legally obligated to monitor their users’ online activity and may even throttle or block traffic to certain websites considered unsafe. Using a free streaming service like 123movies could trigger the suspicion of ISPs, leading to such consequences as reduced internet speeds, suspension of services, or even legal issues.

Whatā€™s more, 123movies mobile apps are buggy and risky as they have hundreds of bad reviews on Google Play and the Apple App Store.

Plus, like any other free streaming site, 123movies has tons of distracting and annoying pop-ups and ads. Since they donā€™t ask users to pay for a monthly subscription, the only way to make a profit is by promoting tons of ads on their site. Unfortunately, not all these ads get verified, so you always risk clicking on malicious ads or links by accident.Ā 

How to Watch 123Movies Videos Safely

The most popular way to browse 123movies safely is by using a VPN. It changes your IP address so your real one doesnā€™t leak. This way, you wonā€™t be targeted by intrusive ads.Ā 

Also, a VPN helps you access 123Movies if itā€™s blocked in your country. It allows you to communicate with the site using an IP address that doesnā€™t have firewall restrictions linked to it.

Whatā€™s more, a VPN encrypts your traffic so no one can see what youā€™re doing online. This is very helpful if your ISP constantly slows down your internet speeds to discourage you from consuming data. Since the VPN hides your traffic, your ISP canā€™t selectively throttle connections to 123movies.Ā 

Plus, some VPN services, like NordVPN, use advanced security tools to block annoying ads. This way, you can have a smooth experience streaming on 123movies. These features also block fake streaming platforms that host malware.

Finally, using a VPN together with an antivirus is the best combo to protect both your data and your device. If your antivirus software happens to interfere with the VPN, just whitelist the VPN.Ā 

What Features Should a Good VPN for 123movies Have?

We tested more than 20+ popular VPNs to find which ones have the best features for streaming on 123movies. Our top best 5 VPNs have features like:Ā 

  • Large server network ā€” ideally, the VPN should have thousands of servers worldwide, so you can find one nearby. This way, you can get super-fast streaming speeds. However, there are also VPNs that have only a few hundred servers, but they are distributed well around the world.Ā 
  • Kill switch ā€” this feature disconnects your device from the internet when the VPN connection might drop. This way, your IP never leaks. To make your browsing even safer, some VPN providers have an always-on kill switch, so you can’t turn it off.Ā 
  • Leak protection ā€” top VPN providers offer protection against DNS leaks, WebRTC leaks, and IPv6 leaks. While not many VPNs have full leak protection, you should use a VPN that at least has DNS leak protection.Ā 
  • No-logs policy ā€” the VPN shouldnā€™t log your data or share it with third parties. Ideally, the VPN should have at least one independent audit to prove it doesnā€™t store data. However, having a strict no-logs policy and being located in a privacy-friendly country is pretty decent as well.Ā 
  • 256-bit AES encryption ā€” this encryption is used by banks and the military, so itā€™s very safe.

Good value ā€” most top VPN providers have extra features, like an ad blocker or split-tunneling. Also, they come with very affordable plans, and usually a 30-day money-back guarantee.

5 Best VPNs for 123movies – our detailed list:

1. NordVPN

šŸŒ Website:nordvpn.com
šŸ¢ Headquarters:Panama
šŸ“Servers/Countries:5800+ servers in 60 countries
ā‚æ Accepts CryptocurrencyYes
šŸ’ø Deals & CouponsGet 68% off + 3 months extra

NordVPN has 5,500+ servers in 55+ countries, so itā€™s easy to find a nearby server for super fast streaming speeds. Its servers are present in most countries, so itā€™s really easy to connect to a country where 123movies is accessible.

We tested both distant and nearby servers and we had blazing-fast on all of them. We were able to watch HD movies without noticing quality drops.Ā 

It also has split tunneling, which is a feature that gives you even faster streaming speeds. That’s because it lets you choose which apps use the VPN connection and which ones use your regular internet connection. In our tests, we always had 40% faster streaming speeds when we used 123movies with the split tunneling feature.

In addition to unblocking 123movies, NordVPN can also access other popular streaming platforms. It works with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, and Crunchyroll

Security-wise, NordVPN has advanced security and privacy features as well. For example, it has RAM-only servers, so all data gets wiped out with every server reset. Also, it has perfect forward secrecy, which changes the encryption for each VPN connection. This way, malicious actors canā€™t spy on your traffic because they canā€™t compromise past or future encryption keys. Plus, it has Threat Protection, which is a security feature. This blocks ads and malicious sites, so it can protect you from shady clones of 123movies.

Whatā€™s more, this VPN service offers dedicated IPs. This paid add-on lets you get an IP address thatā€™s assigned only to you. This helps you avoid annoying reCAPTCHA requests when you google 123movies.Ā 

NordVPN also has 24/7 live chat, and very cheap plans that it backs with a 30-day money-back guarantee.Ā If youā€™d like to read more about this provider, check out our NordVPN review.

Pros

  • Thousands of lightning-fast and well-optimized servers
  • Unblocks all the major streaming sites
  • Fully supports Torrenting and P2P
  • Strict no-logs policy and RAM-disk servers
  • Ad blocker and malware protection features
  • Robust security features and military-grade encryption to protect you from DDoS attacks and other online threats
  • 24/7 live chat support
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons

  • Only 6 simultaneous connections
  • No free trial

2. Surfshark

šŸŒ Website:surfshark.com
šŸ¢ Headquarters:The British Virgin Islands
šŸ“Servers/Countries:3,200+ servers in 100 countries
ā‚æ Accepts CryptocurrencyYes
šŸ’ø Deals & CouponsSave 84% Now!

Unlike many other VPNs, Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections. So itā€™s perfect if you have many devices. In addition, it has a large server network with 3,200+ servers in 90+ countries, so itā€™s very easy to find a server location that can unblock 123movies.Ā 

In our tests, we were always able to get fast speeds when we connected to both distant and nearby servers. We didnā€™t notice any freezes or buffering when we skipped through videos on 123movies. Whatā€™s more, we were able to unblock other streaming websites like Netflix, Crunchyroll, HBO Max, and Peacock. Thereā€™s also Bypasser, which is Surfsharkā€™s split tunneling feature that provides faster streaming speeds.Ā 

The provider also has advanced security features. For example, it has RAM-only servers and perfect forward secrecy. On top of that, it has Surfshark Alert, which is a paid security add-on. This protects your email accounts and credit cards, and checks your passwords’ vulnerability. Plus, it has Surfshark Antivirus ā€” a paid add-on that protects your device from malware.Ā 

Whatā€™s more, we were able to unblock 123movies alternatives like Netflix, Crunchyroll, HBO Max, and Peacock. Also, for Android apps, this VPN has a feature called Spoof GPS. This feature hides your GPS data in addition to your IP address. So it allows you to use mobile streaming apps that might use GPS data to detect your location. .Ā 

In addition to this, this VPN has CleanWeb. This security feature is available on all apps and it blocks malicious ads and connection from 123movies. This way, the sites load faster so youā€™ll have a smoother streaming experience.Ā Surfshark has 24/7 live chat, very affordable plans, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Hereā€™s a more in-depth Surfshark review you can read to find out more!

Pros

  • A very affordable VPN provider
  • Unlimited simultaneous connections
  • Ad-blocking feature
  • Unblocks streaming platforms
  • Ad blocker and malware protection features
  • A fast and light WireGuard protocol
  • Allows split-tunneling and has a multi-hop VPN feature
  • No-log policy and robust security features
  • GPS spoofing on Android devices
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons

  • No free version
  • Does not allow P2P seeding

3. AtlasVPN

šŸŒ Website:atlasvpn.com
šŸ¢ Headquarters:United States
šŸ“Servers/Countries:1000 servers in 49 locations
ā‚æ Accepts CryptocurrencyYes
šŸ’ø Deals & Coupons85% OFF + 3 Months FREE!

If youā€™re looking for a free VPN to keep your data safe, AtlasVPN can offer the best of both worlds. Its free plan provides strong security, unlimited connections, and fast speeds. It only comes with servers in the US and the Netherlands, but we were able to access 123movies with them. However, keep in mind that the free plan comes with a 5 GB monthly data cap, so you canā€™t watch tons of videos.Ā 

Upgrading to the paid version gives you access to unlimited data and 700+ servers in 30+ countries. Also, you get streaming support so you can also watch Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and HBO Max.Ā 

We ran tests on both distant and nearby servers, and we always had excellent speeds when we skipped through content on 123movies. On Android devices, the provider also has split tunneling for faster speeds while streaming.Ā 

To keep you safe when youā€™re streaming on 123movies, Atlas VPN has a great ad blocker that gets rid of trackers and malicious ads. This way, movies will load faster, and you wonā€™t take a chance of putting your data at risk.

Plus, the VPN has a security feature that alerts you if your passwords have been compromised. In addition to this, the paid plans come with SafeSwap servers in 3 locations ā€” the Netherlands, the US, and Singapore. These servers refresh their IPs more often so no one can track your real location.Ā 

Atlas VPN has live chat support for paid customers and very fast email support for free customers. Its paid plans are super affordable, and theyā€™re also backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. If youā€™re curious to know more about it, check out our Atlas VPN review.

Pros

  • Very affordable plans and it has a free version
  • Fast Speeds
  • Helpful against an ISP throttling your connection
  • Unlimited device support
  • WireGuard protocol, DNS leak protection, and strong security features
  • Torrenting-friendly
  • Unblocks streaming services
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons

  • Limited Linux app
  • Based in the US
  • Not so many servers

4. PrivateVPN

šŸŒ Website:privatevpn.com
šŸ¢ Headquarters:Sweden
šŸ“Servers/Countries:200 servers in 60 countries
ā‚æ Accepts CryptocurrencyYes
šŸ’ø Deals & CouponsSave 85% Now!

PrivateVPN has very intuitive apps, which makes it very easy to use, even for beginners. Downloading and installing the VPN app takes less than 2 minutes. Also, all features have helpful explanations, so you wonā€™t feel lost when using them to access 123movies.Ā 

The VPN has a small server network of 200+ servers ā€” however, theyā€™re located in 60+ countries, so youā€™ll easily find a nearby server for fast speeds. We managed to watch 123movies and other streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and Crunchyroll.Ā 

In our tests, we had very minor slowdowns on both distant and nearby servers. So videos loaded instantly and we didnā€™t experience any quality drops when we skipped through them.Ā 

In addition to the standard kill switch, PrivateVPN has Application Guard. It stops certain apps automatically (like the browser you use for 123movies) if the VPN connection might drop. This feature is available on Windows only.

If you stream in restrictive countries, you can use Stealth VPN, which provides obfuscation. Stealth VPN hides your VPN traffic and makes it look like youā€™re browsing the internet without a VPN. However, because this feature adds an extra layer of encryption, it will slow down your internet speeds. In our tests, content on 123movies took an extra 4-5 seconds to load. On the other hand, we didnā€™t notice any buffering once the videos started.Ā 

PrivateVPN has live chat support, really affordable plans, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Pros

  • Supports P2P traffic and allows port forwarding
  • Unlimited bandwidth and great speeds
  • Unblocks most streaming platforms
  • Zero-logging policy
  • Free Static IP servers
  • A fast and light WireGuard protocol
  • 10 simultaneous connections
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons

  • Not as many servers as other VPN providers
  • No split-tunneling

5. ExpressVPN

šŸŒ Website:expressvpn.com
šŸ¢ Headquarters:The British Virgin Islands
šŸ“Servers/Countries:3000+ servers in 94 countries
ā‚æ Accepts CryptocurrencyYes
šŸ’ø Deals & Coupons+3 months FREE!

ExpressVPN is another excellent choice if you want to stream on 123movies. It has a large server network based in 90+ countries, so itā€™s easy to find a server location that unblocks the site. Also, this provider claims to unblock 65+ streaming sites, so itā€™s a great choice if youā€™re looking for safer alternatives to 123movies.Ā 

The VPN app is very intuitive ā€” you can connect to a VPN location in less than 3 seconds. It also has Shortcuts, which is a feature that lets you create 1-click shortcuts for apps and sites. It has apps for all platforms, including routers. This is very convenient because you donā€™t have to manually set up the VPN on your router.Ā 

Also, the VPN has an accurate built-in speed test, which helps you find the fastest servers for your location. In our tests, HD videos from 123movies loaded in less than 3 seconds, even on distant servers. Also, we didnā€™t notice any buffering when we skipped through them.Ā  Split-tunneling is also available, so itā€™s easy to further increase your streaming speeds.

Security-wise, ExpressVPN has advanced features like RAM-only servers and perfect forward secrecy. Also, it has Threat Manager, which is a feature that blocks trackers and connections to malicious sites. In addition to this, ExpressVPNā€™s no-logs policy has been independently audited and the results have been posted online.Ā ExpressVPN has more expensive plans, but it provides excellent value. Hereā€™s our complete ExpressVPN review if youā€™re curious to read more about it.Ā 

Pros

  • Works with streaming
  • Supports torrenting
  • No-logs policy
  • TrustedServer technology with RAM-only servers
  • Premium security features
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons

  • Expensive subscription plans
  • Only 5 simultaneous connections

What Legal Alternatives Can I Use Instead of 123Movies?

123movies and its clone-free streaming websites are taken down because they stream copyrighted content, which is illegal. On top of this, the sites can be pretty ad-heavy. Since they feature popular movies for free, the creators make a profit from promoting tons of ads. However, not every ad gets verified, so you might accidentally click on shady links. As a result, you might put your data and device at risk.Ā 

Here are some of the most popular legal alternatives to 123movies:

  • Netflix
  • HBO Max
  • Disney+
  • BBC iPlayer
  • Cruncyroll
  • Amazon Prime Video
  • Hulu
  • Peacock
  • YouTube TV
  • fuboTV

If you still prefer streaming on 123movies and its alternatives, we recommend using a VPN. Our top 5 picks can keep you safe and protected while streaming on 123movies and its clone sites.Ā 

Alternatively, if you want to use safer streaming services, a VPN can unblock geo-restricted content. Platforms like Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Prime Video, stream different movies and TV shows. They do this to comply with copyright laws from every country. A VPN can hide your real IP address and change it with another one from a different country. This way, you can unblock tons of content from all over the world.Ā 

Overall, we recommend using NordVPN for 123movies, as it offers the best security and privacy features. It provides a kill switch, strong encryption, and full leak protection. Additionally, it has a twice-audited no-logs policy, so it doesnā€™t store data on its servers. On top of that, we had blazing-fast streaming speeds when we connected to distant and nearby servers. Also, HD videos loaded in less than 3 seconds, which makes them perfect for streaming.Ā 

FAQ:

Can 123movies give you a virus?

Yes, 123movies doesnā€™t have high-end security features to block malicious ads, trackers, or connections to other shady sites. A trustworthy VPN prevents you from accidentally clicking malicious mirror sites or ads by blocking them.Ā 

For example, NordVPN has Threat Protection, a feature that blocks ads and blocks malicious sites. This way, you wonā€™t compromise your device by downloading malware.

Can 123movies hack your phone?

Yes, you risk downloading malware on your phone if you click on malicious ads or shady links that you see on 123movies. To prevent this, make sure you use a VPN when browsing and streaming 123movies. Top VPN providers have apps for Android and iOS with tons of security features to keep you safe.Ā 

Can 123movies be trusted?

No, 123movies has been constantly shut down because it streams copyrighted material. Also, on its mirror sites, you can find trackers and intrusive ads. Also, there are malicious connections to shady sites that can infect your device with viruses.Ā 

If you want to stream safely, we recommend using safe streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Crunchyroll, and Disney+.Ā 

Which 123movies is real?

Vietnamese authorities shut down the original 123movies. After that, the same creators made sites like 123Movies, GoMovies, GoStream, MeMovies, and 123movieshub. Right now, there are tons of 123movies clone sites online that pretend to be the original ones, including some shady websites.Ā 

Are GoStream and Gomovies Safe and Legal?

Some content streaming on GoStream and GoMovies might not respect copyright laws. Also, keep in mind that malicious ads and connections to shady sites might be featured on these platforms.

If you want to protect your data while watching movies on these platforms, we recommend using a VPN. It hides your IP address, so your traffic canā€™t be monitored by your ISP. Also, top VPN providers, like NordVPN, have tons of security and privacy features. It has Threat Protection, military-grade encryption, and full leak protection to protect your data.

šŸŒ Website:nordvpn.com
šŸ¢ Headquarters:Panama
šŸ“Servers/Countries:5800+ servers in 60 countries
ā‚æ Accepts CryptocurrencyYes
šŸ’ø Deals & CouponsGet 68% off + 3 months extra
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