Crooks exploit the death of Pope Francis

Crooks exploit the death of Pope Francis, using public curiosity and emotion to launch scams and spread malware, an old tactic during global events.

On April 24, 2025, after Pope Francis’ death, cybercriminals launched scams and malware attacks, exploiting public curiosity, grief, and confusion.

Cybercriminals are ready to exploit any event of global interest, it has already happened in the past during events like Queen Elizabeth II’s death or the COVID-19 pandemic. Check Point Research calls this trend “cyber threat opportunism,” noting similar spikes during COVID-19, when Google saw 18M+ daily virus-related scam emails.

These emotionally charged moments are fertile ground for digital exploitation. The emotional vulnerability of users makes them prime targets for attackers seeking clicks, personal data, or financial information.

The death of Pope Francis highlights how cybercriminals exploit any event for malicious gain. Strong security practices and awareness are crucial defenses against such risks.

Disinformation as a Gateway

One of the most dangerous criminal practices associated with these events is disinformation. Fake news spreads like wildfire on platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. AI-generated images and videos fuel conspiracy theories, some claim Pope Francis is still alive, and others sensationalize the circumstances of his death.

These posts, designed to draw clicks and shares, often contain embedded links that redirect users to fraudulent websites.

CheckPoint found a scam where a fake news link led to a bogus Google gift card page. It tricked users into giving up personal info, including payment data.

Hidden Malware and Data Harvesting

Some malicious sites run hidden scripts that silently gather device names, OS, geolocation, and more data later sold on the dark web or used for phishing attack

Threat actors used malware to steal login credentials, financial information, and personal files. Experts warn that even seemingly harmless browsing habits can expose you to these risks if you’re not cautious about the websites you visit.

The SEO Poisoning Trap

Cybercriminals use SEO poisoning to boost malicious sites in search results for trending terms like “Pope Francis death,” tricking users into visiting harmful pages.

When unsuspecting users search for credible updates, they may unknowingly click on these malicious results. Once they do, they’re exposed to malware or credential-harvesting schemes that often look nearly identical to real news websites. This creates a dangerous feedback loop where trust in online information continues to erode.

Why These Campaigns Are Hard to Detect

A key challenge in these attacks is that cybercriminals use new or dormant domains with no malicious history, helping them evade traditional threat detection tools.

“Cybercriminals thrive on chaos and curiosity. Every time there’s a significant global event, we see an immediate spike in scams designed to exploit public interest.” said Rafa Lopez, Security Engineer at Check Point Software Technologies-

So, how can individuals protect themselves during these high-risk periods?

1. Keep your browser and OS up to date
   Patches and updates often fix vulnerabilities that attackers exploit. Make it a habit to regularly check for updates and install them immediately.
2. Use trusted web protection tools
   Browser extensions like Check Point Harmony Browse or similar tools can verify websites in real-time, blocking dangerous sites before they load.
3. Be skeptical of sensational headlines
   If something sounds too shocking to be true, it likely is. Always cross-reference with trusted media outlets before believing or sharing.
4. Never click on suspicious links
   Especially in emails or social media posts claiming to have “exclusive” content. Navigate directly to official news sources by typing the URL manually.
5. Check suspicious links and files
   Use services like VirusTotal or Check Point ThreatCloud to scan files and URLs before opening them.
6. Invest in a comprehensive security suite
   Choose antivirus software that includes phishing protection, threat detection, and automatic updates to ensure maximum protection.

In times of grief or global attention, stay informed and cautious to prevent curiosity from becoming a gateway for cybercriminals. Be prepared and stay secure.

Follow me on Twitter: @securityaffairs and Facebook and Mastodon

Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – hacking, Pope Fancis)