Hackers Raise Supermarket Freezers to 55°C as Cyberattack Spreads Across Seven EU Countries

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Cyberattack on European Supermarket Refrigeration Spreads to Seven EU Countries

   Hackers remotely manipulated refrigeration systems across at least seven European Union countries starting November 2, raising freezer temperatures to between 50 and 55 degrees Celsius. The coordinated attack targeted multiple supermarket chains and food retailers, causing widespread food spoilage and forcing stores to pull perishables from shelves. Impacted locations include Sweden and Estonia. The breach highlights critical security vulnerabilities in refrigeration technology, specifically regarding exposed, obsolete, or unpatched systems that allow remote access to temperature controls.

   Why it matters

   This incident demonstrates the physical risk posed by cyberattacks on industrial Internet of Things devices. By targeting the cold chain, attackers can cause immediate financial loss and food safety hazards. The scale of the disruption across multiple borders suggests a sophisticated, coordinated effort.

   What is confirmed

   • A coordinated cyberattack disrupted refrigeration systems at supermarkets and food retailers across at least seven EU countries.
   • The attacks began on November 2.
   • Hackers remotely changed temperature settings on freezers and cooling systems.
   • Some stores in Sweden and Estonia reported freezers set to 50 to 55 degrees Celsius.
   • The temperature spikes caused food spoilage and forced stores to remove food from shelves.

   What to watch next

   • Identification of the threat actor responsible for the attacks
   • Official reports on the total financial loss from spoiled inventory
   • Technical details on the specific vulnerabilities used to access the refrigeration systems
   Sources used for this update (13)

   1. Reuters — European supermarkets hit by new fridge cyber attack
   2. BBC — If hackers can take control of a supermarket freezer, how vulnerable is other tech?
   3. The Guardian — Who is hacking Europe’s supermarket fridges and freezers, and why?
   4. Yahoo — Freezers at supermarkets in Sweden hit by apparent cyberattacks
   5. UNITED24 Media — Hackers Raise Supermarket Freezers to 55°C as Cyberattack Spreads Across Seven EU Countries
   6. The Hacker News — New Wave of Refrigeration Cyberattacks Hits Supermarkets Across Europe, Forcing Stores to Pull Food
   7. www.cnbc.com — Supermarket fridges hit with cyberattacks across Europe ...
   8. www.latintimes.com — Hackers Hit European Supermarket Freezers Again — 7 Countries ...
   9. jen.jiji.com — Sanremo 2027, Gialappa's Band to host ControFestival: De Martino's announcement
   10. www.europesays.com — Hackers Raise Supermarket Freezers to 55°C as Cyberattack ...
   11. united24media.com — Hackers Raise Supermarket Freezers to 55°C as Cyberattack ...
   12. www.bleepingcomputer.com — Hackers disrupt refrigeration systems at European supermarkets
   confidence 90%