Receiving unexpected international calls can be a source of anxiety for many individuals. Whether it’s a single ring from an unknown number or multiple missed calls from abroad, the uncertainty can leave you wondering about the implications for your privacy and security.

Kathy S. recently reached out with a concern many of us can relate to: “I have received calls from Beijing and Russia on my cellphone. I did not answer them. Can you tell me why this is happening? Is my phone at risk?”

If you’ve experienced similar calls, you’re not alone. Let’s examine this issue and discover what’s really going on.

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The rise of international call scams

International call scams have become increasingly common in recent years. One particularly prevalent scam is known as “Wangiri,” which originates from Japan and means “one-ring-and-cut.” These scammers typically let your phone ring once or twice before hanging up, hoping to pique your curiosity and prompt a callback.

A woman receiving an international call on her cellphone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Why are you receiving these international scam calls?

There are several reasons why you might be receiving calls from unfamiliar international numbers.

Wangiri scam: Scammers use automated systems to call thousands of numbers, disconnecting after one ring. If you call back, you may be connected to a premium rate number, incurring significant charges.

Telemarketing and robocalls: Some companies use international numbers to bypass local regulations and reach a wider audience.

Number spoofing: Scammers can make their calls appear to come from different countries, tricking you into answering.

A woman receiving an international call on her cellphone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Is your phone at risk?

While receiving unexpected international calls doesn’t necessarily put your phone at immediate risk, there are several potential dangers to be aware of. The primary risk lies in potential financial losses if you engage with these scammers. If you call back, you may be connected to a premium rate service number owned by the fraudster. You could also be charged heavily for these calls, with the scammer aiming to keep you on the line to increase the billed amount.

While less common with Wangiri scams, there’s always a risk of personal information theft if you engage with unknown callers. Sharing sensitive data like bank account numbers or Social Security numbers could lead to identity theft.

Answering or returning these calls may signal to scammers that your number is active, potentially leading to more scam calls in the future. Although not typically associated with Wangiri scams, some sophisticated phone scams can potentially install malware on your device if you click on certain links, prompts or follow instructions given by the scammer.

The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

A woman receiving an international call on her cellphone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

How to protect yourself

While these international calls can be concerning, there are several steps you can take to safeguard yourself and your personal information. Here are six effective strategies to help protect against potential scams and unwanted calls.

1) Don’t answer or call back: If you receive a call from an unknown international number, resist the urge to answer or return the call.

2) Block suspicious numbers: Use your phone’s built-in features to block these numbers and prevent future calls.

3) Report the calls: Inform your phone carrier and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) about these suspicious calls.

4) Use call-blocking apps: Consider installing call-blocking apps to identify and block spam calls.

5) Be cautious with personal information: Never share sensitive data over the phone, especially with unfamiliar callers.

6) Invest in personal data removal services: Consider using services that remove your personal data from the internet, reducing the chances of scammers obtaining your information. While no service promises to remove all your data from the internet, having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period of time. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

While unexpected international calls can be alarming, understanding the nature of these scams empowers you to protect yourself. By staying informed and following the preventive measures outlined above, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to these schemes. Remember, your best defense is a combination of caution, awareness and proactive steps to safeguard your personal information.

Are phone companies doing enough to help protect consumers from international scam calls? Let us know what you think by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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Let’s be honest: How many times have you used something like “123456” or “123123” as your password? With so many online accounts to juggle, it’s tempting to go for simple passwords, even though we know they’re weak. Unfortunately, a report from NordPass shows we’re still making the same mistakes when it comes to keeping our accounts secure.

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2024’s most popular (and insecure) passwords

NordPass has released its compilation of the top 200 most popular passwords used for personal and business purposes. Collaborating with threat management company NordStellar, NordPass analyzed a massive 2.5TB database of global passwords, including those sourced from the dark web. Spoiler alert: They’re still shockingly insecure.

Login page (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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The password hall of shame

We’re all guilty of using weak passwords at some point, but the extent of this digital negligence is truly staggering. For the sixth consecutive year, “123456” claims the dubious honor of being the most common password used by over 3 million people.

It’s followed closely by its slightly more “complex” cousins: “123456789” and “12345678.” But wait, it gets worse. The password “password” still ranks high on the list, used by nearly 700,000 people. It’s as if we’re collectively daring hackers to break into our accounts.

Instagram login page (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Top 10 most common passwords 

Here are the top 10 most common passwords of 2024, according to NordPass:

1) 123456 

2) 123456789 

3) 12345678 

4) password 

5) qwerty123 

6) qwerty1 

7) 111111 

8) 12345 

9) secret 

10) 123123

Corporate carelessness

You might think that in professional settings, where sensitive data is at stake, people would be more cautious. Think again. The corporate world mirrors personal password habits alarmingly closely. The same weak passwords dominate business accounts, with “123456” leading the pack, used in over 1.2 million instances.

Login page (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

DATA BROKER BLUNDERS AS MILLIONS ARE EXPOSED WITH PUBLIC PASSWORDS

The consequences of weak passwords

Using such easily guessable passwords is like leaving your front door wide open in a neighborhood full of burglars. These passwords can be cracked in less than a second, potentially leading to account compromise, identity theft and a host of other digital nightmares.

Login page (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Strengthening your digital defenses

So, how can we break this cycle of password mediocrity?

1) Go long: Aim for passwords that are at least 20 characters long.

2) Mix it up: Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special symbols.

3) Unique is key: Never reuse passwords across multiple accounts.

4) Regular reviews: Periodically assess and update your passwords.

5) Consider using a password manager: A password manager will securely store and generate complex passwords. It will also help you to create unique and difficult-to-crack passwords that a hacker could never guess. In addition, it keeps track of all your passwords in one place and fills passwords in for you when you’re logging into an account so that you never have to remember them yourself. The fewer passwords you remember, the less likely you will be to reuse them for your accounts.

What qualities should I look for in a password manager?

When it comes to choosing the best password manager for you, here are some of my top tips:

• Deploys secure
• Works seamlessly across all of your devices
• Creates unique complicated passwords that are different for every account
• Automatically populates login and password fields for apps and sites you revisit
• Has a browser extension for all browsers you use to automatically insert passwords for you
• Allows a fail-safe in case the primary password is ever lost or forgotten
• Checks that your existing passwords remain safe and alerts you if ever compromised
• Uses two-factor authentication security

Get more details about my best expert-reviewed password managers of 2024 here.

6) Start using passkeys: Passkeys are designed to replace traditional passwords and are steadily gaining traction, particularly among major companies and websites. Far more secure and reliable than conventional passwords, passkeys enable automatic sign-ins to websites and apps using facial recognition, fingerprint authentication or a physical security key.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

It’s clear that we need to step up our password game. Using weak passwords like “123456” is a gamble we can’t afford to take, especially with so much of our lives online. By taking simple steps, like creating longer, more complex passwords and using a password manager, we can better protect ourselves from cyber threats. Let’s make 2025 the year we prioritize our digital security and leave those outdated passwords behind.

What’s the worst password you’ve ever used, and did anything bad happen because of it? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.