Searches for VPNs in the state of Virginia saw a surge Friday ahead of a new law restricting internet users under the age of 18 from accessing pornography websites.

The surge in searches comes after multiple adult websites, including PornHub, have blocked Virginia residents from accessing their sites. VPN searches in the state started spiking on Thursday evening and peaked early Friday morning at about 5:30 a.m. EDT, according to Google Trends.

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VPN stands for "virtual private network," and it allows internet users to surf the internet while encrypting one's connection, which hides the user's internet protocol and online activity, including one's physical location, according to NordVPN.

As of Thursday, Virginia residents who visit PornHub view a letter explaining why they are blocked from accessing the site.

"As you may know, your elected officials in Virginia are requiring us to verify your age before allowing you to access our website," the letter reads. "While safety and compliance are at the forefront of our mission, giving your ID card every time you want to visit an adult platform is not the most effective solution for protection of our users, and in fact, will put children and your privacy at risk."

A similar spike in VPN searches occurred last month in Utah after the state implemented an age-verification system for all pornography sites, restricting all users under the age of 18 from accessing adult material.

The restrictions in such states has led Free Speech Coalition, an adult industry advocacy group, to sue Utah. The group argues that Utah's law unfairly discriminates against certain kinds of speech and also intrudes on the privacy of people, according to WUSA9.

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"These laws give the state the power to harass and censor legal businesses," said Alison Boden, executive director of Free Speech Coalition. "We, of course, support keeping minors from accessing adult content but allowing the state to suppress certain speech by requiring invasive and burdensome systems that consumers refuse to engage in is simply state censorship."

Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) signed the bill restricting adult websites for users under 18 in May, and the law is set to go into effect on Saturday.