Security Stop-Press : Hackers Target Supermarket Fridges Across Europe

Cyberattacks on supermarket refrigeration systems have forced European stores to discard food after attackers remotely changed cooling settings.

Initially reported in six countries, disruption has now reached eight, including 13 SuperValu stores in Ireland.

Belgian refrigeration company Sabcobel said attackers activated defrost mode. Some Swedish stores reported settings or displays around 50°C.

The incidents follow October’s attacks in France, although responsibility and links between them remain unconfirmed.

Businesses should secure remote maintenance access, remove controls from the public internet, update firmware and change default passwords. France’s CERT-FR warns that resetting equipment alone can leave it vulnerable to another attack.