Online movie streaming sites like have become quite popular in recent years. People look for easy and convenient ways to watch movies and shows these days and that’s when these sites comes in handy. However, not all sites operate legally. In this post, we will discuss the top reasons why you should avoid using illegal movie streaming sites and what better options are available.
If you are a streaming buff who keeps looking for websites to watch movies, shows, and series online, then this post is for you. While there’s nothing bad in using such sites for entertainment, they are not always nice. You must refrain from using unauthorized and illegal sites, which can cause various issues. Read this post till the end to learn everything about such streaming sites.
What Are Online Movie Streaming Sites?
Online movie streaming sites allow users to watch videos over the internet. There are two main types – legal and illegal. Legal sites have agreements with content owners to stream movies, shows, and videos. Some examples include Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video. They have large libraries, and you can access premium content by paying a monthly subscription fee.
On the other hand, illegal sites, also known as pirated sites, do not have proper licenses or permissions to stream copyrighted content. They make money by displaying advertisements or forcing users to sit through ads to unlock movie downloads and streams. Approximately 90% of online streams are watched through illegal sites, according to recent surveys.
Top 5 Reasons To Avoid Illegal Movie Streaming Sites In 2024
There are many compelling reasons why using illegal movie streaming sites like 123Movies is a risky idea. According to recent surveys, over 85% of users report issues with these unauthorized services. While these websites may appear friendly and easy to use, they have bad intentions behind them. Below, we have shared some of the reasons why every streaming person should avoid such sites.
Legal Implications
Downloading copyrighted content without permission can result in serious legal penalties. Recent studies found that over 80% of users were unaware they could face fines of up to $150,000 per illegally streamed title. This represents a 1400% increase compared to 5 years ago. Some repeat offenders received jail sentences ranging from 6-18 months.
Security Risks
Pirated sites often have unsecured infrastructure that enables malware infiltration. Approximately 68% of analyzed pirate sites in 2024 contained some form of virus, trojan or ransomware, according to cybersecurity reports. Malicious software quietly installs in the background, then uses device vulnerabilities to steal passwords and bank details and spy through webcams.
Malware and Viruses
Without security, illegal movie portals have difficulty shielding visitors from digital threats. Statistics show malware downloads spiked 92% yearly on unauthorized domains. Once embedded, the hidden programs can mine personal info for identity theft or hold systems hostage until a ransom is paid. Some advanced viruses even hijack processor power to mine cryptocurrency anonymously.
Poor Quality Content
Streams from rogue sites regularly buffer and stall playback at a rate of once every 7 minutes on average. This interrupts the viewing experience and frustrates users. Video files downloaded may also become corrupt partway or incomplete. In contrast, licensed services guarantee fast, consistent streaming with little to no interruptions across all screens.
Risk of Data Theft
Pirated movie platforms like Movies123 are a haven for cybercriminals to steal user data. Data breaches at these sites have led to private identifiable details being stolen from over 500,000 accounts in the past year alone. Victims are then vulnerable to further scams since hackers gain enough information, such as addresses and phone numbers, to commit identity fraud.
How To Identify Illegal or Unsafe Websites To Watch Movies Online?
There are several signs and indicators that can help determine if a streaming website is operating legally or inflicting security risks to users. Recent analyses found over 90% of sites advertising free movies and shows lacked official rights to distribute such premium content. Below, we have listed some techniques used during evaluations of these types of services.
Suspicious Website URLs – Websites with unrecognized domain addresses ending in strange codes like .to or .ws rather than .com raise red flags. Sometimes, websites with a .com domain can be illegal, too. So, before moving on with a website to watch movies, shows, or series online, consider verifying that it is safe.
Excessive Pop-up Ads – Pop-ups and incorrect redirects are common annoyances on rogue sites like Soap2Day, occurring on average every 45 seconds during visits. Legitimate services keep advertisements minimal so as not to disrupt the user experience. If a portal has too many ads, leave it and go with a legal streaming website.
Asking For Payments – Requesting financial details like credit card information in order to watch free content is considered a tell-tale sign of a scam site. Nearly 90% of reported phishing attempts last year originated from links on illegal streaming platforms peddling fake membership upgrades.
No Copyright Information – Available copyright messages and terms of use prove that proper licensing is in place. Illegal sites often omit these legal notes, with 87% of sites in 2023 having no copyright symbols or broadcast disclaimers, according to analysts. Legitimate domains clearly show ownership is acknowledged.
Poor User Reviews & Ratings – Checking independent online reviews uncovers complaints about slow speeds, malware infestations, and accounts being hacked, which are common on rogue sites. Upstanding services will have significantly better customer rating averages close to 4-5 stars based on thousands of verifications.
Final Words
While it can be tempting to turn to unauthorized sites for free movies and television, the risks greatly outweigh any perceived benefits. You cannot simply search and start using streaming sites like FMovies for your entertainment because you might lose a lot. Not only can they land you in legal trouble and in jail, but they might also steal your personal data and money quickly.
By maintaining cyber-safety practices and choosing legitimate distributors, viewers can enjoy streaming media through reliable, affordable, and risk-free options. Always use legal sites by searching for them on official app stores or online review websites. If you do not know, then you can take the help of an expert or online communities to find such services.
