European supermarkets hit by new fridge cyberattack
The company said chilled and frozen products were removed from sale while investigators work to restore normal operations.
- On Monday, November 2, 2026, a suspected cyberattack compromised refrigeration systems at SuperValu, ICA, Coop, and Delhaize supermarkets across Ireland, Sweden, and Belgium, forcing stores to discard large quantities of fresh and frozen food.
- This disruption mirrors large-scale attacks reported last month in France, where hackers seized control of cooling units; technical analysis suggests vulnerabilities in Danfoss equipment running outdated firmware allowed unauthorized remote access.
- At least 40 Delhaize locations and 13 SuperValu stores reported compromised cooling units, with temperatures reaching 50°C. One Swedish store manager said, "Everything is ruined" after discovering spoiled merchandise.
- Supermarket chains are investigating the breach and have disconnected affected systems from the internet to contain damage. "As a precaution, chilled and frozen products in the affected stores have been removed from sale," Musgrave Group said.
- These incidents reveal security risks in connected retail infrastructure, where remote access capabilities create vulnerabilities for attackers. Store chains must update legacy firmware on operational technology devices to prevent further unauthorized manipulation.
522 Articles
522 Articles
Once again, cybercriminals have manipulated the cooling and freezing systems of European supermarkets. They have to spoil food, sellers have to dispose of their goods. The attacks reveal a serious vulnerability of digitally networked cooling technology.
New Cyberattack Cripples Europe's Supermarket Fridges
European supermarkets from Sweden to Belgium and Ireland reported overnight hacks that cranked their refrigerator temperatures to 122 degrees Fahrenheit, destroying food and forcing emergency shocks of cooling systems. "Everything is destroyed," said an ICA store manager in Stockholm, where freezers soared to 122 degrees. "In the affected stores, the...
It is not yet known who is behind the latest attacks and whether they are connected to those in France.
The European Commission is sounding the alarm over cyberattacks that have also hit supermarkets and are affecting citizens' daily lives. The reason for this was the attacks on supermarket refrigerators and freezers in several EU countries, which caused serious problems in their operation. A Commission spokesman pointed out that such incidents demonstrate that digital attacks can disrupt services, affect commercial activities and have a direct …
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 37% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
