European Grocery Chains’ Freezers, Refrigerators Targeted in Apparent Cyberattacks
Several chains reported sharp temperature rises and spoiled produce after attackers exploited internet-connected equipment, cybersecurity specialists said.
- On Monday, cyberattacks hit supermarket refrigeration systems across Belgium, Sweden, Ireland, The Netherlands, and Estonia, forcing retailers to discard spoiled food after attackers remotely altered temperature settings.
- The incidents follow a similar cyberattack last month in France targeting refrigeration systems made by Danish firm Danfoss, where investigations identified basic security shortcomings including direct internet exposure and weak passwords.
- Sweden's Coop reported issues in seven of more than 800 stores, while Musgrave's Irish SuperValu chain saw 13 locations affected and Carrefour reported 15 of its 700 Belgian stores experienced malfunctions.
- Attackers raised temperatures to 50 degrees Celsius, or 122 degrees Fahrenheit, forcing staff to discard spoiled products; a Coop spokesperson said the situation was "contained and under control."
- Cybersecurity expert Olivier Daloy of Zscaler warned that any internet-connected industrial equipment faces similar risks, while a 2025 French national security document identified such attacks as "one of the threats that must be treated as a priority.
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Hacking attacks involving the remote operation of refrigeration and freezing equipment occurred in supermarkets across nine European countries. Hackers forcibly activated defrosting modes to raise temperatures, resulting in inventory losses for food distributors in Europe. Governments in each country launched investigations, and the EU viewed this as a deliberate threat targeting the daily lives of citizens, urging for strengthened security.
There was a wave of cyber attacks across Europe on supermarket refrigerators, with damage amounting to millions of euros, as reported by the Polish RMF24.
After France, several dozen European supermarkets were the victims of a cyber attack on their refrigeration facilities on Monday. In this case, some old equipment, which no longer benefits from security updates, but also a lack of anticipation. The pirates were able to exploit elementary flaws, without resorting to particularly sophisticated techniques.
Cybercriminals have again attacked refrigeration systems in European supermarkets.
European grocery chains’ freezers, refrigerators targeted in apparent cyberattacks
Grocery stores in several European countries are dealing with incidents affecting refrigerator and freezer systems that appear to be the results of cyberattacks. Refrigeration systems have been malfunctioning Monday in Belgium, Sweden, Ireland, The Netherlands and Estonia, officials from affected companies told ABC News and [...]
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