A new cold war: hackers target fridges across the globe

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Global Cyberattacks Target Industrial Refrigeration Systems

   Cyberattacks targeting industrial refrigerator and freezer temperature controls have spread from Europe to a global scale. In Europe, supermarkets in Belgium, Sweden, and Luxembourg were hit, forcing some stores to pull food from shelves. U.S. federal agencies have issued warnings that these hacks now impact the healthcare, transportation, and food industries. The attacks target the operational technology used to manage cooling, creating significant risks for perishable goods and critical infrastructure. U.S. officials are currently monitoring the threat after reports of similar disruptions at military bases.

   Why it matters

   Industrial refrigeration relies on digital controllers that are often exposed to the public internet. Disrupting these systems can cause mass food spoilage or compromise medical supplies. This wave of attacks highlights a vulnerability in operational technology across multiple sectors.

   What is confirmed

   • Supermarket freezers in Belgium, Sweden, and Luxembourg were hit by suspected cyberattacks.
   • The cyberattacks forced some European supermarkets to pull food from their stores.
   • U.S. government agencies warned that ongoing cyber threats are affecting the food, transportation, and healthcare industries.
   • Hackers are targeting digital devices and temperature controls for industrial refrigerators worldwide.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Officials suspect Iran-linked hackers are responsible for the attacks.
   • Cyberattacks have targeted U.S. military bases.
   • Employees at a food production plant in Israel witnessed office printers spontaneously printing during a May morning incident.

   What to watch next

   • Attribution of the attacks to a specific state actor or group
   • Reports of food or medicine spoilage in the U.S. healthcare sector
   • Updates from CISA on specific vulnerabilities in refrigeration controllers
   Sources used for this update (15)

   1. flipboard.com — Beloved singer’s wife killed after welcoming robbery suspects with lemonade
   2. BBC — Supermarket freezers in Belgium, Sweden and Luxembourg hit by suspected cyber-attack
   3. Reuters — European supermarkets hit by new fridge cyber attack
   4. The Guardian — Who is hacking Europe’s supermarket fridges and freezers, and why?
   5. The Hacker News — New Wave of Refrigeration Cyberattacks Hits Supermarkets Across Europe, Forcing Stores to Pull Food
   6. NPR — A new cold war: hackers target fridges across the globe
   7. Toledo Blade — Supermarket freezers in several European countries hit by apparent cyberattacks
   8. www.wionews.com — Latest News India and World LIVE updates: Arab Parties back Gadi Eisenkot to form next government in Israel, Delhi AQI touches 482
   9. www.cbsnews.com — Federal agencies warn organizations about potential cyberattacks on industrial refrigerators
   10. www.nextgov.com — US agencies warn of refrigeration hacks amid suspected attacks on military bases
   11. www.newsbreak.com — A new cold war: hackers target fridges across the globe
   12. techcrunch.com — US government warns of ‘ongoing cyber threat’ amid mass hacks ...
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