Supermarkets across Europe hit by new fridge cyberattacks

Key Points:

• Supermarkets in multiple European countries including Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, Luxembourg, and Estonia experienced cyberattacks targeting refrigeration systems, causing temperature spikes and food spoilage.
• The attacks involved hackers manipulating fridge and freezer units, often setting temperatures as high as 122 degrees Fahrenheit, similar to a recent incident in France that also caused fires and food losses.
• Major supermarket chains such as Ahold Delhaize, Colruyt Group, Carrefour, ICA, Coop, and Musgrave confirmed incidents affecting their refrigeration systems, with ongoing investigations and mitigation efforts underway.
• Authorities and cybersecurity experts have not identified the perpetrators, but the incidents underscore growing digital security threats impacting everyday life amid broader concerns linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
• Sweden’s national cybersecurity center is actively investigating multiple related cases and highlights the vulnerability of remotely controlled operational technology devices, urging updates and patches to prevent further attacks.