We are connecting virtually now more than ever before.
But the online tools which have made COVID-19 so bearable are akin to letting a stranger right into your own room, or your child's bedroom.
"When you have these applications open anyone can get into your phone camera or your computer camera at any time," New York State Director of Consumer Protection Paula O'Brien said. "You don't want hackers sitting in your living room."
The director warns Zoom 'bombing' is gaining in popularity.
That's when an uninvited guest crashes an online video meeting. Recently a teacher's class on Zoom was crashed by someone showing explicit material to minors.
There's even a tutorial on YouTube that 40,000 people have viewed on how to hack into private online meetings.
The default settings on many apps are relaxed. Make sure you toggle off and reset privacy settings. Don't allow the video or audio to record while you're not using the app.
You should also password protect your meeting, create a waiting room and ring tone to announce visitors and recognize you're being recorded.
And as the director demonstrates, cover up your webcam when you're not using it.
One of the most disturbing things Director O'Brien found -- is the first thing you're asked when you download Zoom is to input your birthday.
When it comes to sharing info like this, experts say to lie.
Your date of birth combined with your email, if you share passwords, is really like the keys to your online identity and hackers are just using online meetings as another piece of the puzzle to break in to your virtual house and steal from you.
Remember, never use the same login and passwords across accounts.
MORE CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 COVERAGE
UPDATES
Grieving the lost: Tri-State residents who have died
New Jersey
Connecticut
New York City
Long Island
RESOURCES
Where are the testing centers
See how our communities are making a difference
Free educational resources for parents and children
How you can help victims of coronavirus
RELATED INFORMATION
Share your coronavirus story with Eyewitness News
Stimulus check scams and other coronavirus hoaxes
Coronavirus prevention: how clean are your hands?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on coronavirus
Total count of NYC COVID-19 cases based on patient address