The use of free streaming sites to watch movies and TV series has grown in popularity in this age. Nonetheless, such convenience does come with disconcerting risks people may ignore. Here, we’d like to talk about an example, one of the hottest free streaming sites – 123Movies; it leaves viewers with a question: Is it safe?
In this article, we will discuss the impact of using 123Movies and how to prevent it on the internet. We will also consider better and safer alternatives that will protect you from such risks when streaming online. So keep reading and stream from any place around the world without any limits and worries about your safety!
What is the 123Movies website?
123Movies is a free TV show and movie streaming site, and you do not have to pay or create an account. So it is no surprise that it became extremely famous. Moreover, it had plenty of movies of all formats and sizes. This was perfect for people who had been looking for a wide range of entertainment to get their hands on with ease and speed.
Simplicity is arguably the most important factor that propels the growth of 123Movies. The site is well-designed, which allows viewers to search for their favorite movie or TV series conveniently. Within a few clicks, streaming starts.
Moreover, the most remarkable thing was that the site did not compromise on video quality. 123Movies had managed to achieve 98 million visits in one month. People from different parts of the universe would use it, which means it would get traffic on the global level.
However, the rise in the global reach of the particular website was not devoid of risk. It contained copyrighted content which means that videos and movies were aired without the permission of the respective owners. This laid the foundation for the belief that 123Movies is a website for piracy, thus involving itself in legal battles in various nations.
While it might seem like a great alternative to watching movies, the fact is that websites like 123Movies are not safe and illegal to use in a majority of countries.
Simply put, the only reason 123Movies was as popular as it was, was the fact that you could stream almost all the movies for free. But like any unlicensed content, it had its fair share of issues, and so, ultimately, it led to its downfall.
Does 123Movies still work?
The simple answer is no. This website isn’t working and was literally torn down in 2018 because it embodied a lot of unlawful films and television shows without a license.
But you can still come across domains that are extensions of 123Movies or bear its name. Such are not genuine websites but rather imitations trying to lure traffic to their platforms. Some of the sites might still allow you to stream movies, but they can be dangerous and illegal.
In order to avoid all of this hassle and watch your favorite movies, simply have a subscription to legal streaming, which can be Netflix, Disney, Amazon Prime, and many more. These services can let you view such programs without apprehension of legal claims or personal threats.
Is 123Movies a safe site?
123Movies is not a secure platform and should be avoided. The first and utmost concern is that it hosts videos and TV shows without the consent of the rightful owners and making it permissible in various regions. This legal issue has banned the original site. Let’s discuss some major risks associated with its usage!
- Malware and viruses: By visiting 123Movies, pop-up ads can entice you and this can redirect you to spyware websites. When you click on the ads, there is a possibility that spyware can get installed on your gadget without your knowledge. This will be a nuisance as it will make your computer or phone sluggish and may also steal sensitive information such as files.
- Privacy concerns: Most of your information is disclosed while using this site as it has no privacy features. Most pages will either spy on your activity while you are online or trick you into submitting classified information such as passwords and credit cards.
- Legal conflict: The content available on 123Movies is not protected by copyright, thus streaming through these websites can sometimes lead to serious legal complications. The laws of your country restrict you from viewing illegal materials, as there can be fines or penalties depending on your country’s laws.
- Inappropriate content for kids: 123Movies site tends to be rather dangerous, specifically for children. There is a lack of strict ratings and restrictions on underage viewing of some of the content. Hence children may be exposed to adult content or explicit graphics.
In a nutshell, everybody needs to exercise caution when using 123Movies, especially kids. If you want to view movies and shows with no risks at all, it is advisable to go with legal and well-known streaming options instead.
How to stay safe on 123Movies?
If you choose to ignore the above risks and still want to visit sites like 123movies to help you out with safe browsing, I’m going to share with you some actionable tips!
Use a VPN
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) lets you mask your location and secure your browsing activities and exploits. Because of the scrambling, it becomes somewhat difficult for someone to locate you, or see what you are doing on the site. This is particularly useful considering all the legal or privacy issues that people worry about.
Install antivirus software
Ensure that your device has a robust antivirus before you visit the 123Movies website. This prevents you from a variety of files, viruses, or malware that could have potentially been embedded in ads and links.
Avoid clicking on ads
There are numerous ads embedded in 123Movies, and some may redirect you to unscrupulous websites. Therefore, I advise you to ignore those ads and don’t trust anything presented to you that looks even the slightest bit weird. Alternatively, install an ad blocker.
Keep your personal data private
Sites such as 123Movies are risky alternatives due to their nature of piracy, so never share your personal information, such as email, passwords, or even payment details. Any form that requires that info is most likely fake and should not be entertained.
These are important tips but do understand that all tips to keep safe when you do decide to use 123Movies are not foolproof. Always consider the option of genuine streaming platforms as they allow safer browsing instead of exposing your devices and yourself to malware or legal issues.
6 Free 123movies alternatives for safe streaming online
It is pretty common for you to search for alternate sites that allow you to stream movies and TV shows for free legally. For hassle-free and resourceful streaming, the six trustworthy platforms presented below will secure your streaming experience. It’s time to discard 123Movies; let’s have a look at those safe alternatives!
- Tubi
- Pluto TV
- YouTube
- Crackle
- Peacock
- Roku Channel
i) Tubi
Tubi is a free app with a vast variety of shows and movies to choose from. The app features many types of content, such as comedy and drama. Since the app is free you are required to watch some ads which are completely legal. The anywhere from one to two commercials, you just can’t skip them. Tubi can be installed on your phone, computer, or even smart TVs.
ii) Pluto TV
Pluto TV includes on-demand movies and some live TV channels and the amazing thing is that you can enjoy such content for free. It adds a cable TV feeling without the added price. There are children’s shows, sports channels, and old movies available through various channels.
It is supported by advertisements, which makes it legal and fairly easy to use. Whether it’s in the morning or evening, you will always find interesting new shows to watch on the platform, ingenuously shifting gears from being bored.
iii) YouTube
YouTube is one of the common platforms that offers free videos of varying lengths and formats, including movies and television series. YouTube serves as a safe virtual streaming place which is very simple to use from any part of the globe.
iv) Crackle
Sony Pictures owns Crackle, which offer users a free video-on-demand service through which they can watch a wide range of TV shows and movies free of cost. Making Crackle stand out, you have access to a great deal of material, such as many well-known series and even some original programs. There are some ads, but they are few so as not to spoil the whole experience. It has a wide series of genres too.
v) Peacock (Free Tier)
Thanks to Peacock, which is associated with NBCUniversal and also has subscription fees, you can now watch a lot of basketball games and drama shows as well as movies, and this time for free. The database furthermore contains collectibles, family programs, and series that are widely loved. Even when the free version is not as comprehensive as the paid one, it remains attractive. These are ideas from which you can benefit, and they are completely legitimate.
vi) Roku Channel
The Roku Channel is a good addition for people who have a Roku TV and are in search of free content to stream. If you do not have a Roku device, you can still search for it via your browser. It has a lot of movies, TV series, and TV channels, and live streaming is available. Its advertisement support makes it completely free and secure. There is something for everyone ranging from the vintage classics to the latest movies and everything in between.
All of these platforms are safe since they comply with the law and do not provide unauthorized virtual content. They do have advertisements. However, that is a small cost to pay to receive free high-quality entertainment. Plus, you won’t have to deal with malware or legal issues like you would with 123Movies.
Parental tips to keep kids safe from illegal movie sites
If you want your children not to suffer those threats on the internet, it is important to understand the high threat posed by different sites like 123Movies. These sites can have harmful content, viruses, or scams targeted at children. Here are some practical tips to help you safeguard your kids from unsafe sites and enable healthy online practices:
Activate Safe Search and Safe Browsing options
Safe Search, which many of you might already know, is Google’s feature, and many other parental controls are available with most search engines and browsers. These measures, when activated, will prevent explicit sites from displaying, making it difficult for children to access illegal streaming services. For additional security, you can also change their default engine settings to kid-friendly ones, such as Kiddle.
Speak about internet risks
You need to discuss the risks associated with webpage streaming with your children to minimize the dangers associated with illegal streaming sites. Discuss how those pages may pose a risk to one’s gadgets or personal information in straightforward terms. Let them know that you are available to assist them when they want to navigate a particular site or are searching for a video.
Show them other safe options
When children already have fun and legal sites available to them, they are unlikely to go to the unsafe ones. Introduce them with legal streaming websites like Tubi, YouTube Kids and Pluto TV as great options which are also free. Tell them that they could even watch it together as a family so that it is more fun and so that you can monitor trusted websites.
Use a powerful parental control app
Parental control applications are a great asset while supervising what your children can or cannot view on the internet. When we talk about parental control apps, the very first name that comes to our mind is FlashGet Kids. It has gained popularity just because of its reliable and amazing features, which enable you to track your kids’ digital activities in real time.
+ Screen mirroring: This feature allows you to see through your kid’s devices, thus enabling you to know what type of content or websites your kids are exploring in a real-time. So, if you find any suspicious activity, you may take action in a timely manner.
+ App blocker: There are chances that your kids may download unsafe applications via illegal websites. Thus these features restrict them from using such apps.
+ Usage report: FlashGet Kids also provides you with a detailed summary of your kid’s daily device usage. Thus, you can check what websites are explored by your kids and whether they are legal or not.
By following these numerous tips, you shall be able to not only ensure your children are safe online but also educate them on how to use the web correctly. All of these would give you ease and help in your child’s safety online.
Final thoughts
In a nutshell, 123Movies is not a really safe platform to watch movies as it invades your privacy and may expose you to cybercrimes. Therefore, we suggest you look for safe and legal streaming platforms like YouTube, Tubi, Pluto TV, etc. Moreover, kids also use streaming websites to watch TV shows and movies. So, to protect your kids from internet toxicity, it’s advisable to use the FlashGet Kids parental control app. It allows them to stream legally and helps them to stay digitally safe.
