When you buy through affiliate links in our content, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn People often ask, “Is 123Movies safe?” The site was among the most popular unofficial free streaming websites on the internet, and it had a huge movie catalog. U.S. and Vietnamese authorities shut down the original platform several years ago, but many clone movie sites still exist today.
Many users now have questions about the safety and legality of using 123Movies mirror sites and about risks such as copyright infringement tracking, viruses, and malware.
After assessing the site and its clones, I’ve created a comprehensive guide on the safety of 123Movies sites and how you can protect your online data with antivirus software and Virtual Private Network (VPN) services when visiting sites like these.
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What is 123Movies?
However, in 2018, the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) started investigating 123Movies for spreading pirated content. At that time, the site was reported to have nearly 98 million active users, making it the top streaming website in the world for pirated content with a vast library of TV shows and free movies online.
While the 123 Movies official website was shut down in 2018, there are many similar free streaming sites today that allow users to watch movies online. However, the safety and legality of it heavily depend on local laws.
Does 123Movies Still Work? Mirror Sites Explained
After the MPAA labeled 123Movies the world’s largest pirate site in 2018, the agency collaborated with Vietnamese authorities to shut the site down.
However, 123Movies remained a well-known name, so other unofficial streamers created clone sites to take advantage of the demand for the site’s services.
Today, the official 123Movies site is unavailable, but you can find dozens of 123Movies duplicate sites, commonly referred to as mirror sites.
Some of the best 123Movies alternatives are legal streaming services that offer on-demand content, such as Tubi TV, Crackle, and Popcornflix. As legitimate streaming services, they are a great alternative and can be considered to be far less risky sites if you’re looking for a movie or TV series.
Other 123Movies alternatives mirror sites include:
- ww2.123moviesfree.net (considered the most safe)
- wwv.la123movies.com
- w-123movies.com
- wwv.123movies.wiki
- www.123movies.work
To Note – We do not recommend participating in illegal streaming or associated activities. Before using any free movie websites, we advise checking their legality in your country to avoid any legal repercussions. It’s also worth keeping in mind that sites offering pirated content are inherently risky.
Is 123Movies Safe?
Using 123Movies sites isn’t 100% safe. Your safety will depend on which 123Movies mirror site you opt for, of course. Other unofficial streaming websites may expose you to malware threats, but reliable antivirus software and VPNs can help keep you safe.
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Here are some of the dangers of 123Movies sites:
How to Stay Safe When Streaming on 123Movies
If you want to stream on 123Movies sites, there are several steps you can take to ensure your safety while getting free access to media. Here are the most basic safety measures you can take to avoid threats on 123Movies mirror sites:
- Use a Reliable Antivirus – Many illegal streaming sites launch pop-up ads loaded with malware and viruses. If you click on ads like these, your device may be infected with viruses. Reliable antivirus software like TotalAV will provide a layer of protection against attacks. The antivirus has real-time scanning that detects and blocks threats before they can compromise your device.
- Get a VPN – Using a VPN can further secure your connection, preventing malicious third parties, advertisers, and ISPs from tracking your location or IP address. NordVPN and Surfshark are both excellent VPNs that also come with web ad blockers and antivirus functionality. For more information, see our complete guide to the best antivirus software with VPN tools.
- Use an Ad Blocker – An ad blocker can improve your streaming experience on 123Movies mirror sites and protect your privacy. Most ads use tracking technologies to gather information about your online behavior and preferences, and ad blockers can prevent this. This will reduce the amount of personal data advertisers can collect about you and block adware. It can also stop you from clicking on an ad that could expose you to malware.
- Check What You’re Downloading – Sites like 123Movies include “download now” buttons on ads to encourage you to click while attempting to download movies. If you aren’t wary, it’s easy to open an ad or download a file you didn’t intend to. Always double-check that the download button isn’t an ad banner.
- Don’t Share Personal Details – Don’t sign up or share personal information on an illegal streaming website or scam websites. Your personal data can be stolen and end up in the hands of malicious actors. Your data can then be used for financial fraud, credential stuffing, fraudulent account creation, and social engineering attacks.
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Is 123Movies Legal to Use?
The legality of using 123Movies mirror sites depends on your country’s copyright laws. Some countries don’t have specific rules to regulate copyright infringement and piracy.
However, streaming or downloading pirated content is illegal in most countries. In nations with strict piracy rules, copyright infringement can attract hefty fines or even jail sentences.
Here’s a quick overview of the legality of online piracy and watching pirated content in different countries.
| Countries with strict copyright laws | Countries that don’t prosecute copyright offenses | Countries that allow piracy for personal use |
|---|---|---|
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I recommend avoiding unofficial streaming sites and opting for legal alternatives, as pirate sites carry security and privacy risks that could have very serious consequences for users.
Can I Get Sued for Using 123Movies to Watch or Download Movies?
The potential legal consequences of using 123Movies sites depend on where you are. If you’re in the US, the UK, Australia, some parts of China, or countries that strictly regulate piracy, you could face hefty fines or jail time.
If you’re in a country with liberal copyright laws, you may still be prosecuted if you use pirated content for commercial gain. However, countries like Poland, Spain, and Switzerland won’t pursue individuals for using pirated content solely for personal use.
To avoid any legal complications with using 123 Movies sites, you should familiarize yourself with your country’s copyright laws or stick to official streaming sites.
Today, many people use VPNs for torrenting and to access international content libraries that would otherwise be geo-blocked. For more information, read our guides to the best VPNs for torrenting and the best VPNs for Netflix.
Conclusion – Is 123 Movies Safe?
In 2018, the MPAA shut down the original 123Movies website. However, this led to the creation of numerous pirate mirror sites, where visitors are promised free content and free streaming services.
Since the majority of these unofficial websites host malicious ads and viruses and come with serious safety concerns, I recommend using free legal streaming sites like Tubi TV, Crackle, and Popcornflix. To enhance your online security, I also strongly recommend using a reliable antivirus and a VPN for malware protection.
FAQs
Can 123Movies harm my phone or computer?
Does 123Movies track you?
Is 123Movies illegal?
What is 123Movies called now?
References
- 123Movies streaming website (Britannica)
- The world’s largest piracy site has announced it’s closing down for good, urges people to buy content (The New Zealand Herald)
