This is my brand-new newsletter, The Current. All the tech news you need, no annoying ads — delivered twice a week. If you like this format, tap or click here to subscribe. - Kim

You’re home. You’re worried about your family, your job, the economy, your savings, your bills, your supplies and, of course, yourself. It can be difficult to focus on anything else. Now, I hate to tell you this but you have a new issue to add to your list.

No one is really talking about another frightening virus outcome except in the most inner security circles. Since I am in these circles, you can hear it from me. Cybercriminals are gearing up.

Your own network security

Imagine if a state or malicious hacking group wanted to launch a coordinated cyberattack. It’s a lot easier now than it was, say, a month ago. We have all these work at home newbies hooking up gear, signing on to work networks, swapping files and installing apps and programs. Many of these folks don’t know a thing about security or basic settings.

Have you ever heard of Shodan? It’s a search site that shows you internet-connected cameras, servers and more that are unsecured. I just logged into a video camera system located in Arkansas that’s not locked down. The username is Admin and guess what the password is? Yup, it’s Admin too. You can do the same. A real pro could use that connection to hop on the network and install keyloggers, malware or worse.

Scammers and spammers are fast modifying their old tricks to prey on your fears about COVID-19, with malicious links and attachments and an onslaught of calls, texts and emails. And now that you might be working f rom home , your network security is more important than ever.

First, check your router settings and lock it down. Address these questions:

• Is it running the latest firmware?
  
• Are you running the highest level of encryption?
  
• Do you have a firewall set up?
  

Then consider your internet-connected devices, like your smart TVs, smart speakers, thermostats, security cameras and video doorbells. Anything with a connection can be used as an in to your network.

• Make sure you’re using unique and sophisticated passwords for every device and account. Here are some password ground rules. 

• Use two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever it’s an option. Not sure how to do that? I’ve got your back here on my site.
  

Don’t get overwhelmed

Need some help? Check out the Komando Community forum for tech support. You can use it free for 90 days now, because of the pandemic. Just use my name as your discount code (that would be Kim) when setting up your profile. After 90 days, the service costs $4.99 a month, or less with an annual plan. Try it right now.

Don’t forget you can also find information about your products, including user manuals, through ManualsOnline or the Zolve app. Whatever you do, DO NOT use Google to find phone numbers for a company’s tech support line. It’s far too easy to be taken by all the malicious creatures out there.

Cybercrime on a global scale

That’s just your own personal security. This is a worldwide crisis and cybercriminals are also looking to cause major disruptions with companies and organizations.

I can’t imagine the grief of those with loved ones infected by COVID-19 who are hospitalized. Just when you think things can’t get worse, hackers take over the hospital’s network and cut off access to data and plans for life-saving treatments.

That’s a real possibility and a warning has been issued by the World Economic Forum. We need to prepare for scenarios even worse than that, according to a statement from the group:

"In a worst-case scenario, broad-based cyberattacks could cause widespread infrastructure failures that take entire communities or cities offline, obstructing healthcare providers, public systems and networks.”

So don’t just monitor and be cautious with messages that come to your personal accounts. Be just as vigilant with messages that come through your work email, too. It only takes one wrong click for a hacker to compromise a whole system. 

Don’t be that person. You’re smarter than that.

In the U.S., the coronavirus pandemic is accelerating. I know you’ve seen the popular maps like the one from Johns Hopkins that show the dismal numbers. But what about the virus numbers in your state?

See the spread in your state with this handy map. As more people are being tested, the number of those infected is rapidly increasing. Testing is the problem, because they’re still not all that easy to come by. 

Here’s a video that shows you how a cough travels through the air. It really will make you stay home.

No at-home test kits - at least for now

Last week, I mentioned a number of companies were working to roll out home testing kits to address the lack of standard tests and reduce the risks to others when you venture out of your home.

It seems like a great idea, but not according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Three days ago, the FDA updated its Emergency Use Authorization guidelines and decided at-home sample collection isn’t allowed.

While reputable startups are looking to help, the FDA is trying to crack down on all the bad actors, typically overseas, who are selling fake tests. They’re the ones ruining it for everyone else.

The FDA hasn’t ruled out home collection in the future, but not until they get new agreements in place. So if you’ve already ordered an at-home coronavirus test, reach out to see about getting a refund. If you were thinking about buying one, don’t. At least not righ t now.

By the way, ever wonder how the tests get from Point A to Point B? This is a quick read about a pilot who flies the test kits from Northern California to Los Angeles. 

So you think you have coronavirus

Having the sniffles or a mild fever doesn’t mean you should run to your doctor’s office or nearest hospital. Now you can talk to a doctor from the comfort of your own home, thanks to telemedicine.

I mean, what’s more convenient than a doctor’s appointment via video call from your couch? Now it’s not just convenient, it’s important. If you have access to telemedicine through your insurance plan, a doctor can help determine if your symptoms warrant further medical care. Learn more about setting up a virtual appointment.

Meet Clara, the ‘coronavirus self-checker’

Now there’s another option that doesn’t even include a doctor, or a real person. Meet the “coronavirus self-checker” bot named Clara, a new tool released by the CDC to prevent medical systems from getting overwhelmed.

Clara is a COVID-19 assessment bot created to help you decide what steps to take next, based on your symptoms. Once you provide information to Clara, it can suggest the next course of action, like contacting a medical professional or, if that’s not warranted, how to manage illness from home.

Clara is powered by Microsoft Azure and utilizes the company’s Healthcare Bot Service. And the whole idea is to help alleviate the strain on medical systems around the U.S. before they get overwhelmed with people infected with the virus, and those who think they might have it.

A couple of considerations here: Telemedicine and the self-checker bot are options to help you decide what you need to do, but you can’t be diagnosed through these methods. If you think you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 and have developed symptoms, the CDC says you should also call your healthcare provider for advice.

Don’t want to go inside? Use the drive-thru

If you do feel the need to get tested, a medical facility isn’t your only option, depending on where you live. Drive-thru test sites started popping up earlier this month and now you can find them in more than 30 states.

Check with your state or local health departments to find out if there’s a drive-thru testing site near you. You can also try this Google search: your city + coronavirus drive-thru testing.

I’m no medical professional, but I’m pretty sure thinking about the coronavirus and its implications constantly isn’t good for anyone’s overall well-being. I’ve got a few ideas. Take a break by watching a few episodes of your favorite show, or rearrange your kitchen pantry … for the second time today. Learn a new skill or find a good meditation app.

Whatever you do, listen to health experts’ advice on the importance of social distancing. I’m doing social isolation with my family. No one in and no one out.

Just say no to ‘touching me, touching you’

Think about the lyrics to Neil Diamond’s timeless hit, “Sweet Caroline.” Great song, but all that “reaching out, touching me, touching you” isn’t conducive to helping slow the spread of coronavirus. I took my mom to his show in Las Vegas a few years ago. Amazing.

Mr. Diamond retired from the road because of Parkinson’s but he decided to make a few adjustments to the tune and turn “Sweet Caroline” into a PSA about social distancing. This past weekend, he posted a video singing updated lyrics like, “Hands, washing hands … reaching out, don’t touch me, I won’t touch you.

Good advice. We all wish him the best and for good health. I love his music.

Celebrities just aren’t the same without a script

Other celebrities are trying to do their part in raising awareness about coronavirus relief efforts, or simply to get people’s minds off the topic ... at least for a little while. Musicians like John Legend, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and country star Keith Urban have taken to social media to put on live performances. Even Yo-Yo Ma put on a live show a week ago to honor healthcare workers.

If you’ve missed the shows, sites like Billboard have been keeping track of past and upcoming virtual concerts so you can make sure to catch any you’re interested in. You might even have plenty of time to learn those new “Sweet Caroline” lyrics while you’re at it.

Those are great. But Madonna thought it would be a good idea to share a video of herself in the bathtub. The Atlantic has a good roundup of the celebrity fails you can read here.