Is 123movies Safe & Legal in 2023? Yes, but Do This First!

Is 123movies Safe
Written by: Per-Erik Eriksson

It is no secret that 123movies has had its share of legal challenges, though these have not lessened the website’s popularity. If you are safety-conscientious yet still wish to use this and other similar sites, make sure to take the necessary steps to protect your online privacy and security. 

How can a VPN Help Keep Me Safe?

There is a reason why a VPN is called that: a Virtual Private Network. It provides a secure virtual network where others cannot see your activity or even know your location. Here is how it can help you access 123movies safely, no matter where you are.

It is common knowledge that 123movies’ legal woes have resulted in the website’s ban in several countries worldwide. If you are located in any of these countries, you will not be granted access to the website.

Enter a VPN.

Although a VPN’s primary function is not necessarily to unblock content, this feature has become one of the favorites. 

A VPN runs your Internet traffic through one of its servers abroad and assigns your device the IP address of that server. So, if you are located somewhere where 123movies is forbidden, you need to switch to a VPN server in a country where its use is allowed. This way, your device will appear to be in a different location, and you will be able to access the service.

What a VPN is truly about, though, is safety. The most reputable VPN providers exist to make your online presence safe. This way, you do not have to worry about your social media accounts being hacked, bank credentials stolen, or confidential business information being seized and sold.

Given 123movies’ reputation, it is a good idea to have a VPN to get around the pesky geo-blocks and avoid any potential safety risks. 

What are the best VPNs to Use to Access 123movies?

Several factors have a prominent role in defining a reliable VPN. Please take a look at our list below to see what they are and which VPN providers are up to the challenge.

1. NordVPN

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  • Fastest VPN
  • Servers: 5300+
  • Countries: 60+

WHY I LIKE NORDVPN: NordVPN has long been regarded as one of the strongest brands in cybersecurity. With one of the largest server offerings on my list and support for most, if not all operating systems, making NordVPN an obvious choice for many. They have 24/7 customer support if you need help getting started. Their app is one of the most well-designed apps I have ever used. NordVPN even accepts cryptocurrencies as payment for extra anonymity.

Encryption: AES-256

Number of servers and countries: 5,600+ servers in 59 countries

Additional safety features: kill switch, DNS leak protection, ad/malware block, double VPN, dedicated IP address, Onion over VPN

Logging policy: strict no-logs policy

Headquarters: Panama

Other: 6 simultaneous connections, 24/7 live chat customer service, 30-day money-back guarantee

2. ExpressVPN

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30 day money-back guarantee.

  • Best Android VPN
  • Servers: 3000+
  • Countries: 94+

WHY I LIKE EXPRESSVPN: ExpressVPN is one of the fastest and most reliable VPN services. With the 30-day money-back guarantee, you will have a fair chance to see if you are happy with the service. They support almost every device and OS out there, and their 24/7 customer support is the best I have experienced among all the VPNs in this list. The only pitfall that ExpressVPN has is the price. It is double the price as some of the other services in this list. Despite that, I strongly believe ExpressVPN is one of the best VPN services you can get.

Encryption: AES-256

Number of servers and countries: 3,000+ servers in 94 countries

Additional safety features: Lightway protocol, kill switch, DNS leak protection, ad/malware block, TrustedServer technology

Logging policy: strict no-logs policy

Headquarters: British Virgin Islands

Other: 5 simultaneous connections, 24/7 live chat customer service, 30-day money-back guarantee 

3. Surfshark VPN

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  • Best cheap VPN
  • Servers: 3200+
  • Countries: 65+

WHY I LIKE SURFSHARK: Surfshark VPN is perfect for those who want a cheap and reliable VPN that also has many extra features. "Camouflage Mode" hides your usage from your ISP, "Kill Switch" suspends your connection and protects your information if you temporarily lose Internet access, "MultiHop" to connect from multiple countries at the same time just to name a few. My favorite feature of Surfshark is "Whitelists" which allow the user to exclude specific apps and programs from the VPN connection.

Encryption: AES-256

Number of servers and countries: 3,200+ servers in 100 countries

Additional safety features: kill switch, DNS leak protection, ad/malware block

Logging policy: strict no-logs policy

Headquarters: The Netherlands

Other: unlimited simultaneous connections, 24/7 live chat customer support, 30-day money-back guarantee

4. CyberGhost VPN

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45 day money-back guarantee.

  • Best torrent VPN
  • Servers: 7400+
  • Countries: 91+

WHY I LIKE CYBERGHOST: CyberGhost VPN is the first choice of many other cybersecurity experts, and the reason is clear; they have the most complete VPN service. An incredible number of extra features that are best suited for the more advanced users but also work flawlessly for every-day purposes like P2P-filesharing. Cyberghost VPN also has the longest stretching money-back guarantee at a full 45 days.

Encryption: AES-256

Number of servers and countries: 9,000+ servers in 90+ countries

Safety features: kill switch, DNS and leak protection, ad/malware block

Logging policy: strict no-logs policy

Headquarters: Romania

Other: 7 simultaneous connections, 24/7 live chat customer support, 45-day money-back guarantee

Due to their superior features, including military-grade encryptionreliable tunneling protocolsthousands of servers, and outstanding safety, these four VPNs are currently dominating all the top VPN lists. 

ExpressVPN and NordVPN provide excellent speeds on nearby and distant servers. They are powerful enough to unblock the most popular streaming services. On the other hand, Surfshark and CyberGhost are a bit slower and with fewer additional features. Regardless of this, they are a reliable and more affordable option. 

In Conclusion

While 123movies has retained its popularity throughout some turbulent times, geographical restrictions may still hamper you from accessing its content. If you do not intend to switch to a different website, get a reliable VPN. It will not only bypass geo-blocks but also protect your identity and Internet traffic.

There are several noteworthy VPNs to consider, and we have listed their most important features to make your choice easier. While ExpressVPN and NordVPN are absolute winners regarding safety and speed, Surfshark and CyberGhost VPN are trustworthy (yet somewhat less powerful) alternatives for a tighter budget.

FAQ

Is it legal to use 123movies?

This depends on your location. In some countries, the use of 123movies is prohibited, while in others, you can use it freely.

Is it safe to use 123movies copycat sites?

Caution is required when using 123movies copycat sites because they may contain viruses and malware. To stay protected, use a VPN that blocks malware.

Are there alternatives to 123movies?

Yes. Some include Tubi, Pluto TV, Hoopla, Roku TV, and Locast.

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