Shop freezers in seven European countries hit by suspected cyber-attack

Live updates

1. 2h ago

   Cyber-attacks target supermarket freezers across seven European countries

   A coordinated cyber-attack has disrupted refrigeration systems in supermarkets across seven European countries, including Belgium, Luxembourg, Sweden, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Estonia. The attack caused freezers to overheat, ruining millions of euros in frozen goods. Retailers Ahold Delhaize and Colruyt reported that an overnight IT incident affected dozens of stores in Belgium and Luxembourg. Sabcobel, a Belgian refrigerator manufacturer, stated that attackers switched evaporators to defrost mode, causing internal temperatures to rise. This event marks the second suspected attack of this type in two months.

   Why it matters

   The incident highlights security vulnerabilities in exposed or obsolete temperature controllers. A similar attack targeted hundreds of French supermarkets last month using the same method. The scale of the food spoilage indicates a significant financial impact on European food retailers.

   What is confirmed

   • Cyber-attacks targeted supermarket refrigerators and freezers in several European countries.
   • The attack affected supermarkets in Belgium, Luxembourg, and Sweden.
   • Retailers Ahold Delhaize and Colruyt reported an IT incident hitting stores in Belgium and Luxembourg.
   • The attacks resulted in the spoilage of frozen food.
   • This is the second suspected cyber-attack of this nature in Europe.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Freezer temperatures rose as high as 50C.
   • The attack hit seven European countries in total.
   • Anonymous hackers are responsible for the attacks.
   • Approximately 40 Delhaize supermarkets in Belgium and Luxembourg were affected.
   • Shops in Ireland, the Netherlands, and Estonia were also hit.

   What to watch next

   • Official confirmation of the total number of affected countries
   • Identification of the specific threat actor responsible for the attacks
   • Updates on software patches for Sabcobel refrigeration units
   Sources used for this update (13)

   1. BBC — Supermarket freezers in Belgium, Sweden and Luxembourg hit by suspected cyber-attack
   2. Reuters — European supermarkets hit by new fridge cyber attack
   3. The Guardian — Supermarket freezers across Europe hit by second suspected cyber-attack
   4. PBS — Freezers at supermarkets in several European countries hit by apparent cyberattacks, ruining food
   5. Yahoo — Grocery store refrigerators, freezers hacked in Belgium, 6 other countries
   6. Bloomberg.com — Supermarkets Across Europe Report New Suspected Freezer Hack
   7. www.bbc.com — Shop freezers in seven European countries hit by cyber-attack
   8. inews.co.uk — How HMRC can now raid your bank account – and what you need to know
   9. www.cnbc.com — New cyberattack on supermarket fridges sweeps across Europe
   10. finance.yahoo.com — Hackers Weaponize Freezers As Supermarkets Face New Cyber Attacks
   11. www.latintimes.com — Hackers Hit European Supermarket Freezers Again — 7 Countries ...
   12. albaniandailynews.com — Shop Freezers in Six European Countries Hit by Suspected Cyber-attack - Albanian Daily News
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