More from the article ...

... Why it matters: If Trump is willing to answer unknown numbers, as The Atlantic reported this week, there's no guarantee a scammer, impersonator, or even a foreign intelligence operative couldn't have a chat with the president.

- - - There's no evidence that has actually happened. But recent reports involving Trump and other top officials have raised red flags about the security of their communications.

Driving the news: Federal authorities are investigating a scheme where someone spoofed the phone number of White House chief of staff Susie Wiles to impersonate her in calls to senators, governors, and CEOs, per the Wall Street Journal.

- - - Meanwhile, Chinese hackers reportedly penetrated U.S. telecom networks as early as summer 2023, according to Bloomberg " a year earlier than previously known.

- - - That access has been used by China-backed group Salt Typhoon to spy on Trump, Vice President Vance, and other officials, the NYT reported.

- - - Then there are the series of Signal-related scandals involving former national security adviser Mike Waltz, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and others.

Between the lines: Eavesdropping on world leaders isn't new -- but it's a lot easier if the leader in question is using a personal phone and eschewing standard cybersecurity practices. ...