European Supermarket Cyberattacks: Over 100 Stores Hit by Hacked Refrigeration Systems

More than 100 European stores have been affected by a new wave of cyberattacks targeting supermarket refrigeration systems. Hackers have manipulated internet-connected cooling controllers, forcing refrigerators and freezers into defrost mode and causing temperatures to rise as high as 50°C. Belgium, Sweden, Ireland, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and other countries have reported incidents. Following a previous wave of attacks that affected around 700 French supermarkets, the latest incidents raise serious concerns about the cybersecurity of industrial control systems, legacy devices and critical food supply infrastructure. Discover how these attacks unfolded, which technologies were targeted, the role of exposed internet interfaces, and why securing operational technology (OT) is becoming increasingly important across Europe.