Google Trends Reveals Surge in Demand for VPN
Many of us turn to Google in times of change.
What we type into our search bar can reveal our deepest desires and behavioral drives. As we use search engines anonymously, we’re often more honest with them than in real life.
Google receives over 90% of the world’s search requests, helping people locate and make sense of content by filtering results.
With more people working remotely because of the pandemic, there’s been a surge in demand for VPN this year, which corresponds with search queries for “remote work” and “telecommuting.”
Searching for VPN
Google Trends is a tool that measures where the Internet’s wind is blowing, showing you how frequently topics rank over a set time frame.
It doesn’t tell you how many people are searching for a topic such as a VPN. Instead, it shows whether it’s risen or dropped in popularity.
We need accurate information to make smart decisions, making Google Trends an invaluable tool as it allows you to see the topics people are — or aren’t — searching for online.
VPN surge isn’t slowing down
What’s becoming apparent is that VPN’s demand has surged since March 2020, with millions of people working remotely and streaming entertainment content at home.
Search queries for VPN went up again in November as countries worldwide entered their second lockdown. As we’re being encouraged to work from home wherever possible, Internet security now falls upon individuals.
You can’t do your job effectively if you don’t have the right tools, which for laptop-based workers means using a VPN.
Why are people searching for a VPN?
A virtual private network (VPN) is a secure virtual tunnel that encrypts your Internet traffic. Without using one, your Internet service provider (ISP) will know the websites you visit, how long you spend on them, and your communication habits.
It also allows you to access content outside your jurisdiction. Let’s say you’re working remotely in Los Angeles. With a VPN, you can change your IP to Bangalore and browse online as if you’re living in India.
What’s more, if you’re using a VPN with a no-logs policy, your browsing history will be untraceable, so your browsing habits remain private. This is important if you’re transferring money or investing in stocks online, as a VPN will help you keep your personal information safe and unhackable.
VPN software is a billion-dollar industry
Even before the pandemic, the VPN market was expected to make a $70 billion profit by 2026, according to the Global Market Insights 2020 survey, with North America claiming a 30% market share.
With a growing number of cyber-attacks and advertisers tracking your metadata, Internet security and privacy have become a primary concern for online workers, especially if you’re logging on via public Wi-Fi.
The popularity of VPNs is growing
With the employee experience evolving in 2020, many companies have shifted to a remote working model.
VPNs have fast become must-have software, and earlier this year, one-quarter of all Internet users reported having access to a VPN in some capacity.
Since VPNs are becoming routine, remote working has led to stronger Internet security measures, which is critical as we’re now using our home devices for both work and pleasure.
VPN vs. remote working
Remote working has led to our home devices, and company networks converging into one. You might write reports, administer goods, and log expenses on your laptop, but you’ll watch Netflix dramas on them as well.
If your devices are compromised, it means your work and personal life will be adversely affected.
With a VPN, though, you can keep your work files secure, especially if you use public Wi-Fi while traveling.
VPN vs. telecommuting
While lockdowns have accelerated the shift towards telecommuting, remote working is still a minority sport, with only 3.4% of the US workforce (4.7 million) working at home.
But since the pandemic, telecommuting is no longer a privileged lifestyle for digital nomads. It’s becoming standard practice for regular office workers, making VPN software an essential tool for employees.
With modern workforces increasingly mobile, we may find that telecommuting becomes a redundant term as it will be interchangeable with just working in the future.
Browse safely with a VPN
As we’ve shown, hacking is a serious threat, and if a cybercriminal steals your information, it can have wide-reaching consequences.
With lockdowns making millions work from home, we’ve seen a surge in VPN demand as people look to work more securely at home.
Cybersecurity is a universal threat, and as long as we’re accessing data remotely, it’s in everyone’s interest to understand the security risks involved. That’s what happens during a pandemic — the risk of doing nothing is greater than embracing change.
If you’re using a VPN, though, you’ll enjoy greater peace of mind and won’t have to Google so many security questions in the future.
If you work remotely and want to improve your Internet security, you can try FastVPN through a free trial. You can now pay with Bitcoin, in addition to PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.
