Is 123Chill safe in 2024? What are Available Alternatives?

Kinyua Njeri (Sam Kin)  - Tech Expert
Last updated: March 12, 2024
Read time: 20 minutes
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We analyze the legality and safety of 123Chill and list its legal alternatives.

THE TAKEAWAYS

123Chill is a popular free streaming platform that mirrors the now-closed 123Movies website. While it is an exciting platform for movie lovers, depending on where you live, it can set you up for legal litigation and unexpected security issues. Streaming on 123Chill puts you at risk of being sued for breaching piracy, copyright laws, cyberattacks, malware, and hacking. You can switch to a safe and legal 123Chill alternative like Hulu, HBO Max, and Netflix to watch your favorite films without the risk. But, if you still want the free streaming service, a VPN and antivirus come in handy.

Have you run out of cash and are looking for a website that can stream free movies? Are monthly subscription streaming services too expensive for your current budget? 123Chill is a free website with a massive library of the latest movies and TV series. Think of Netflix, Hulu, or HBO Max, but for free.

123Chill

123Chill has stood strong amidst the storms of seizure and closure of movie piracy websites. In the last five years, authorities worldwide have cracked down on torrent and piracy websites. But, this website continues to provide users worldwide with various free movies. Similarweb.com reports that the website receives more than 500,000 visitors every month.

123Chill.to takes after 123Movies.com – formerly one of the most popular torrent sites on the internet. The free version of Netflix attracted cult-like viewership before it closed down. 123Movies no longer works, but its mirror website, 123Chill, continues with the legacy. Notably, 123Chill is not the only clone that 123Movies boasts.

However, 123Chill is not in any way associated with 123Movies. However, like the original 123 movies, this website fails to overcome several legal and security hurdles.

This post will answer all your questions about the safety, legality, and usefulness of the 123Chill free movie website. Also, find some of the best 123Chill legal alternatives.

Note: Our recommendations only include streaming services with legal content streaming rights, and only using a VPN to access legally available movies and TV shows. PrivacySavvy does not, nor will it ever support or condone the use of piracy services or websites.

What is 123Chill?

What is 123Chill?

123Chill is one of the popular websites where you can watch free movies online without registration or subscription. The piracy website publishes the latest movies and TV shows in a high-quality definition. Think of a free version of Netflix- they have Bollywood, Hollywood, Nollywood, and European movies under one roof.

The piracy movie website has a rich catalog of movies from Nigeria, Tamil, Hindi, the US, Asia, and Europe. So, what are the features and advantages of using 123Chill?

Features of 123Chill.to

Easy design: The website has an intuitive user interface that makes navigating through and finding your favorite movie easy. Also, it has a dark theme, making it easy to watch movies at night or in the dark without straining your eyes.

No registration or subscription fees: You won’t need to enter any of your details. You can watch your favorite movie or TV show without paying a dime or giving up on your private details. 

Movies made for TV: The website publishes movies in 360 p, 720 p, and high-definition. Therefore, you can watch their movies on large screens without losing any pictorial details.

Multilingual: This website has movies for you wherever you are in the world and in whichever language you speak. You can access the website in different languages.

Easy searching: Type the name of the movie you want to watch and search it out.

Advertisements: The main source of revenue for 123Chill is displayed ads. While ads and pop-ups can be pesky, the website does not overdo them as much as torrent websites do.


Is it illegal to use 123Chill?

Legal icon

123Chill is illegal in several jurisdictions. The website owns no copyright to the movies and TV shows it publishes. 123Chill, just like Spacemov, MoviesJoy, AZMovies, StreamEast, SolarMovie, and PrimeWire, distributes copyrighted content without a license, which means they breach the copyright laws in many jurisdictions.

Most countries have elaborate copyright laws prohibiting the unauthorized use, distribution, and possession of copyrighted content. Some authorities even term the downloading or streaming of unlicensed movies as contravening the law.

Then, some countries, such as Switzerland, allow their citizens to download any copyrighted movies as long as it’s for personal use. These jurisdictions, however, prohibit any attempts to use copyrighted material for commercial purposes. So if you’re in Switzerland, a country with similar laws, it is legal to use 123Chill at home.

Also, some places have laws against piracy but don’t enforce them. Many governments in Asia, Africa, South America, and the Middle East normally don’t follow up to punish anyone breaching copyright laws.

In Canada, the law is lenient with pirating content on the internet. The legislation only requires the ISP to notify customers whenever illegal downloads are detected in their IP address. Also, Canadian laws have no fines or jail terms associated with the unauthorized use of copyrighted media.

Is 123Chill legal in the US and UK? The copyright laws and codes of the United States prohibit the possession, use, or distribution of pirated content. So, streaming movies on 123. to is illegal in the UK and the USA.

In the spirit of the law, downloading and streaming copyrighted content is treated the same way. The law may say downloading without exactly mentioning streaming. But streaming movies means your browser downloads the files as you watch in real-time before deleting them from your cache when you leave the page.

So, streaming pirated content is just as evil in the eyes of the law as downloading torrents, watching the media quickly, and deleting it immediately.

Copyright infringement is defined differently across jurisdictions. So, each country has special legislation in place that governs copyrighted content. Therefore, before you stream your favorite movies on 123, check the laws in your country.

This table summarizes how different countries in the world feel about you streaming movies on 123Chill:

What the Law SaysPlace
Totally Legal for personal useSwitzerland, Poland, and Spain.
Illegal WhatsoeverChina, United States, Finland, Great Britain, France, Latvia, Japan, Russia, South Africa, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Australia, China, 
Illegal, but not enforcedCanada, Israel, Singapore, Philippines, Netherlands, India, Mexico, Brazil, Egypt, Czech Republic, Kenya, Colombia, Uruguay, Argentina, Greece, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Nigeria.

The consequences you get for watching 123Chill depend on your legal jurisdiction. Fast off, every country in the world has unique codes that explain how those who contravene the copyrights are punished.

Countries like the United States, Germany, and the UK will slap you with a hefty fine in your mailbox. But, if you’re from Russia or China, piracy could quickly escalate into a jail term.

Then if you are in Spain or Switzerland, nobody will penalize you for streaming pirated content for personal use. These countries may invoke jail terms and huge fines for using 123Chill or other free streaming websites.

But, then, we have safe havens for streamers of copyrighted content. In Israel, India, Netherlands, or Kenya, nobody will care! If you have breached the copyright laws in these countries, the enforcement agencies might give you a stern warning. But, beyond words, there may never be any action taken against you!

Most governments do not waste their time and finite resources prosecuting individual users (in this case, you!). Instead, they target the source of the illegal content (123Chill). But, if they catch you as an internet user, they will build up a strong prosecution!

 Notice that you might get caught using unlicensed copyrighted content to be prosecuted. If you hide, however, nobody might even know what you do.

And to ensure you can wade security agencies away, become Privacy Savvy! Many law enforcement agencies track your IP address to know your web activities. So, the first thing you should do is learn how to browse the internet safely.

Remember, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) can see everything you do online, so you should ensure they don’t! But how will you browse 123Chill privately? We’ll answer you right away.


How can I watch 123Chill safely?

Access Deep Web Safely

By now, you already know that streaming pirated content is illegal by international standards. If you live in a country in which downloading pirated movies is against the law, then we would not encourage you to use 123Chill. However, we can feed you information on how to access and watch 123Chill safely if your laws allow it.

You can use the website in many countries worldwide as long as you do it for personal use. Regardless, the law is not the only worry you should have. The internet is a humongous sea of users with evil intentions. Some are criminals targeting to profit off your internet illiteracy.

At Privacy Savvy, we teach you ways to stay secure on the internet. We want to keep you safe from the venomous fangs of cybercriminals’ viruses, malware, prying eyes, and other malicious activities. VPN and antivirus software come in handy whenever you watch your favorite movies safely on 123Chill.

Below are some of the 123Chill security best practices for anyone who wants to use the website safely and anonymously:

Using a dependable antivirus software

An anti-malware software keeps your device safe from contacting viruses, adware, ransomware, or malicious programs. 123Chill could be easily injected with malicious code.

Antivirus software detects and deletes any existing malware from your devices. Also, the software may prevent dangerous programs from installing onto your phone or computer.

Norton 360 ranks among the best antivirus software programs to protect yourself on the internet. But, the program is not just a mere virus scanner. Instead, it has cloud backup, password manager, smart firewall, and ransomware protection, which fends off all malware attacks.

The service is available for iOS, macOS, Windows, and Android users. It is easy to install and covers five devices depending on your payment plan. Then you can get your money back in 30 days if you’re unhappy with the service.

First-time users enjoy a 30-day trial. So, if you plan to stream your favorite movies on 123Chill without fearing malicious codes, adware, and viruses, put Norton 360 antivirus into your cart today.

Norton 360 Deluxe Advanced security-min

Using a reliable VPN service

VPN-Sheild

A virtual private network (VPN) will hide all your 123Chill browsing activities. So, it will make all your streaming and search activities anonymous by hiding your IP address so it can’t be tracked by prying eyes. You can choose a server location and spoof your location to make anyone investigating your streaming activities think you are from a different country.

 Internet service providers (ISP) can see what you do online. And in some cases, they can report and file your web browsing activities to the authorities, who will fine or prosecute you. But the VPN will prevent your ISP from obtaining sensible information about what you do on the internet.

 If you do not know what the law says about piracy in your country, then you’d better use a good VPN. And, to stay private on 123Chill from Big Brother, you still need to use a VPN even if you come from a country where piracy is legal. Spoofing your location makes it difficult for hackers to get to you.

ExpressVPN is a trusted service with top-rated military-grade encryption. The service has several simultaneous connections, which means all your devices stay secure. The service comes with an easy-to-use user interface with the quickest elation and 24/7 support.

You can connect to any of the 3,000 servers around the world. The streaming speed is so high that you will not worry about buffering when watching your favorite movie.


How safe is 123Chill?

Now that you know the legality of 123Chill in your country, it’s time to look at other risks of using the piracy site. Free streaming and torrent sites come with several other safety risks. 

Safe-Icon

As for the answer to the question, is “123Chill safe?” the short answer is “No, it isn’t!” But some parts of the website are safe, while other features could put your device and all your 123Chill privacy at risk.

Unlike legal and established movie streaming websites like Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max, 123Chill is susceptible to cyber-attacks. The website can easily be infected with viruses and malware, which will end up ruining your TV, computer, or smartphone. You can tell this from the outright dissatisfaction of many of their users on Quora and Reddit.

Here are reasons 123Chill is not safe:

Intrusive ads

123Chill is a website with lots of advertisements and redirects. When you click a feature on the website, you can never be sure where the links may redirect you. Pop-ups and intrusive ads are common on piracy websites, and this one is no exception. Some of the links could redirect you to malicious websites.


Mirrors

There are too many websites that replicate or mirror 123Chill on the internet. The copy websites have hosts and web admins that are different from the original 123Chill website. Copycats may mirror the original website, but they have nothing to do with it, which compromises their trustworthiness.

The original 123 cheer website had lots of positive user feedback. But the 123Chill security inspection reviews for the first website may be different for the mirrors.

Owners of mirror websites have no one to answer to, and they can inject malware and malicious codes or even track their users. Some of the mirror websites are safe, but most are not; that’s all you would always need to have antivirus software and a good VPN service.


Not for family content

Although 123Chill is not exactly an adult website, you don’t want your kids to use it. Some features on the website are not proper for minors as the links can redirect to gambling or nudity websites. The website indeed contains a wide variety of movie genres; if you are a minor, you need parental guidance.


You know a credible website when you see one. Legal and trustworthy movie streaming websites normally have cookie and privacy policies that explain how they use your data. A website must explain how they obtain, use, store, or handle your personal information to trust them. Unfortunately, 123Chill does not have any cookie policy or legal privacy pages one can trust.

If you ever use a website with no clear terms and conditions page, cookie policy, or privacy policy, raise your eyebrows and use a VPN!


Can a VPN keep me safe on 123Chill in real?

What is a VPN

We admit that 123Chill comes with its fair share of security and legal risks, but it’s still worth using! There are more pros than cons when streaming free movies on this website. However, you must embrace 123Chill best practices to guarantee a safe and secure streaming experience, and using a VPN tops that list!

Can a VPN keep you safe on 123Chill? Yes, a reliable virtual private network (VPN) will protect you from tracking, intrusions, and sometimes illegal action.

Top-grade VPN services will spoof your location and encrypt your connection. Modern VPNs have encryption of AES 256-bit, which is the commercial, industrial and military standard. Even intelligence agencies themselves use this kind of encryption. Your traffic is encrypted with AES, which bombards anyone trying to intercept your traffic with incoherent gibberish.

Some VPNs have advanced features that block ads, pop-ups, and redirects. NordVPN, for instance, can guarantee an uninterrupted streaming experience on 123Chill. Apart from securing your connection, it will block those pesky ads from appearing on your screen. Such a VPN comes in handy when browsing 123Chill Mirror websites that are out to spread malware or other malicious code.

The best VPNs also have the kill switch feature that monitors your connection to the VPN server. If it detects a breakdown in the connection, the VPN will automatically take your device offline.

The simple idea is to ensure you are surfing the internet only when your connection is safe. If the connection is not secure, the VPN switches off the internet. So, your IP address never gets to leak accidentally into the hands of prying eyes. So yes – VPNs will keep you safe on 123Chill by increasing your privacy, security, and anonymity.

But they can also change your IP address to a server in a region with a richer content library. In short, you can access content and movies that are otherwise geo-blocked by the streaming company. The trick opens a sea of unlimited content on Netflix, Crackle, and Apple Plus users!

Combining all these features will secure your connection and keep your device safe from malware. But which are the best VPNs to use when watching movies on 123Chill? Let’s see!

Best 123Chill VPNs today

lesser known VPN benefits

VPNs will make your streaming experience easy and secure. But only some VPN services out there will do the hack of streaming 123Chill safely. For instance, you must stay away from free VPNs – no offense. The free VPNs are low quality and quietly trade your data! Premium VPNs care about your privacy and overall satisfaction, and they balance speed and security.

So, here are the three best VPNs for streaming on 123Chill:

1. NordVPN

NordVPN for Streaming

As one of the fastest and most secure VPNs for 123Chill streaming, this provider tops our list.

servers More than 5,000 VPN servers across 55+ countries worldwide
encryption AES 256-bit (equivalent to military-dependent) encryption
tor compatible Tor compatible with Tor Over VPN feature
Trusted servers nord RAM-based (privacy-focused) servers
Zero-logs policy Strict no-logs policy
Kill switch Boasts a customizable kill switch
Split tunneling feature Customizable split tunneling feature
simultaneous connections Supports 6 concurrent connections per subscription
money-back guarantee 30-day money-back guarantee
Pros
  • Loads of options for geek users
  • Fast-speed connections
  • Offers obfuscated servers
Cons
  • Desktop app may be overwheling for new VPN users

NordVPN offers a comprehensive package of safety features that top our VPN list when accessing 123Chill. The security service comes with a kill switch, DDoS protection, split tunneling, and DNS leak security, among other features.

 Nord VPN multiplies the level of security by blocking ads and malware. And, apart from lightning speed and streaming convenience, the VPN service does not store any of your data on their servers.

You can also unblock geo-restricted videos on Netflix, Hulu, and other legal streaming websites. For more information on how the VPN performs in speed and convenience, check our NordVPN review here


2. Surfshark

SurfsharkVPN

Unblock any streaming platform securely with this budget-friendly VPN service.

servers A global VPN network of more than 3,200 servers spread across 65 countries
Trusted servers nord RAM-based (privacy-oriented) servers
Zero-logs policy Boasts an absolute no-logs policy
encryption AES-256 (military-grade) encryption
P2P optimized servers Supports P2P downloads
Kill switch Smart kill switch functionality
Split tunneling feature Split tunneling
simultaneous connections Support for unlimited simultaneous devices
money-back guarantee 30-day money-back guarantee
Pros
  • Offers dependable malware protection
  • Evades content restrictions effortlessly
  • Budget-friendly pricing plans
Cons
  • Distant servers may exhibit slow speeds

Surfshark is the most affordable top-grade VPN at the moment. The security service will keep you safe on 123Chill and block all unwanted ads and pop-ups. Also, the VPN cleans out your browsing to yield a fast speed and easy streaming.

If you’re starting your internet privacy journey, Surfshark is your first door! Surfshark is easy to use and the cheapest military-grade VPN service out there. You can enjoy lots of in-house features and unblock your restricted websites too. Check out our comprehensive SurfsharkVPN review for more insights.


3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN new features block logo 120 by 120 now

Fastest VPN on the block for non-stop 123Chill streaming anywhere in the world.

servers A total of over 3,000 fast VPN servers across 90+ countries are available
encryption AES-256 encryption provides robust security
Trusted servers nord TrustedServer technology (RAM-based servers)
P2P optimized servers P2P traffic support on most servers
network lock feature Network Lock (kill switch)
Split tunneling feature Features split tunneling that is dependable
Zero-logs policy Zero-logs policy
simultaneous connections 5 concurrent devices’ support
money-back guarantee 30-day money-back guarantee
Pros
  • All servers offer lightning-fast speeds
  • Protects your privacy to the fullest extent possible
  • Provides stealth browsing capabilities
Cons
  • Plans with higher than market average prices

Access 123Chill anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN. This online security service has blazing-fast speeds and guaranteed security. The kill switch, network lock, 0% no log policy, RAM-based service, and AES-256 bit encryption earn you the right to sit on your couch and enjoy your popcorn without fearing the prying eyes. You will have watched a zillion movies and TV shows on 123Chill before a hacker or the authorities even know what you are doing!

ExpressVPN is special because it has a standalone smartDNS service for devices that don’t support VPNs. And you can explore the horizons of your streaming by unblocking geo-restricted content on Netflix, Crackle, or YouTube TV. Our ExpressVPN review has a comprehensive insight into how we test and rank the VPN.


How to use 123Chill securely

Encryption

The 123Chill mirror website has lots of malicious ads and redirects. It also sets you up for tracking and possible prosecution. But you can stream movies on 123Chill by using a VPN and antivirus

Here’s how to access the 123Chill website securely:

  1. Install powerful antivirus software such as the Norton antivirus on your device to fight off the malware.
  2. Subscribe to a reliable VPN service such as NordVPN. Follow instructions and properly install it onto your device or Internet router.
  3. Now open a good mirror of the 123Chill website and watch your favorite movie or show.
  4.  Ensure that the antivirus and VPN service is always on whenever you stream movies online.

DISCLAIMER: PrivacySavvy does not condone pirated content’s use, possession, or distribution. We advise all our readers to confirm if the laws in their countries allow the personal use of copyrighted content before accessing 123Chill. The details we publish in this 123Chill safety review are for informational purposes only. We shall not be liable for any injuries, losses, damages, or litigations caused by the website’s access, use, downloading, possession, or streaming of content.

Legal (premium) HDToday alternatives

Finding a free streaming website like 123Chill that is legal is chasing a black cat in a dark room that’s not there. Movie creators raise revenue by renting and issuing licenses to their intellectual property. So, live-streaming websites normally grant you access to copyrighted content at a fee.

Legal alternatives to 123Chill will always cost you a few dollars to ethically access a massive database of films. Most live TV streaming websites guarantee fantastic collections and a better experience than 123Chill.

 This table contains a list of the most popular websites like 123Chill:

123Chill Legal AlternativesDescription
NetflixMost popular American streaming website on the internet with a huge library of movies and TV shows.
HuluUnblock Hulu with a VPN today and watch a wide range of live sports, movies and TV networks.
YouTube TVYouTube TV grants you access to premium TV networks such as ABC, Fox, CBS, and ESPN under one subscription.
HBO MaxHBO Max is the home of Game of Thrones, the House of Dragons, Sopranos, and Band of Brothers.
Sling TV With Sling TV, you can set and pay only for the channels you love under one subscription.
Amazon Prime VideoAmazon Prime is like Netflix but at a low price.
CrackleOwned by Sony Pictures Television, Crackle is an ad-supported streaming website. You can unblock Crackle to access your favorite movies outside North America.
Apple +If you are a fan of Apple devices, then you will love Apple Plus as it lets you stream movies and music and other media content.
Disney PlusIn case you are a fan of fairy tales and superhero movies, Disney Plus will stretch your imagination by immersing you in Marvel and the World of Disney. So, be ready for Thor: Love and Thunder, Wakanda and similar movies.

Beating geographic streaming restrictions

Restriction

While the legal alternatives to 123Chill can be exciting, some are unavailable in some regions. Hulu and Crackle, for instance, are only available in the USA and Canada. Netflix restricts certain movies to specific areas, as do HBO Max and Amazon Prime. 

A quality VPN will unblock all geographic restrictions and open up a new world of online movie libraries. VPNs beat geo-restrictions by changing your IP address to a region with a better media library.

Conclusion

By now, you know that 123Chill is neither safe nor legal in most cases. The site is an unlicensed online distributor of copyrighted content and contravenes several laws in many countries.

Using pirated content in some countries can attract heavy fines, jail terms, and criminal records. Again, replicas of the original 123Chill website are vulnerable to hacking. Hackers can introduce malicious codes and malware that could infect and destroy your device.

But, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) gives you the power of anonymity on the internet and slaps away anyone trying to put their noses into your internet activities. Then, a powerful antivirus software blocks unnecessary ads and prevents any malicious code or malware from downloading or installing on your device.

FAQs

123Chill may not be legal in your country because it facilitates the use and distribution of unlicensed copyrighted content. Seek legal advice on what the law in your country says about copyrights.

Using 123Chill puts you at risk of hacking. Secondly, you risk hefty fines, jail time, and a bad name on your resume.

No 123Chill is not safe on iPhones or any other smartphone. The iOS and macOS platforms are some of the best in protecting devices from a. However, iPhones, too, can be targets of phishing attacks. Jailbroken iPhones are especially unsafe when browsing websites with possible virus infection. A reliable VPN service and powerful antivirus software will guarantee your safety.

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About the Author

Kinyua Njeri (Sam Kin)

Kinyua Njeri (Sam Kin)

Tech Expert
12 Posts

Kinyua Njeri is a journalist, blogger, and freelance writer. He’s a technology geek but mainly an internet privacy and freedom advocate. He has an unquenchable nose for news and loves sharing useful information with his readers. When not writing, Kinyua plays and coaches handball. He loves his pets!

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