SMAR Daily Industry News

Cyberattacks Target European Supermarket Refrigeration Systems

A second wave of suspected cyberattacks has disrupted supermarket operations across Europe, leading to significant food spoilage. Retailers in Belgium, Ireland, Luxembourg, and Sweden have reported that refrigeration units were remotely altered to defrost settings, rendering inventory unsellable. Major chains, including Ahold Delhaize and Colruyt, confirmed the incidents, which forced the disposal of large quantities of goods.

These recent breaches follow similar attacks in France last month, which affected hundreds of stores. Security researchers have identified the compromised equipment as internet-connected refrigerators manufactured by the Danish company Danfoss. The vulnerability stems from a lack of ongoing security updates for these specific units, a risk that security firm Claroty highlighted in August.

The incidents highlight the tangible impact of cybersecurity lapses on critical infrastructure. Beyond Europe, the food supply chain remains a target, with a 2025 cyberattack on distributor UNFI causing shortages in the United States. Furthermore, U.S. officials are investigating potential breaches of military base freezer units, while earlier this year, Iranian hackers were implicated in attacks on U.S. water providers.

For industry stakeholders, these events underscore the urgent need to audit internet-connected operational technology for end-of-life security support, as legacy hardware remains a significant vector for supply chain disruption.

Why it matters

This trend demonstrates how unpatched, internet-connected industrial equipment creates severe financial and operational risks for retail supply chains.

FAQ

Which countries have been affected by the recent refrigerator cyberattacks?
The attacks have impacted supermarkets in Belgium, Ireland, Luxembourg, and Sweden.

What is the primary cause of the refrigeration hacks?
Researchers identified the cause as internet-connected refrigerators made by Danfoss that are no longer receiving security updates.

What happened to the food in the affected stores?
The hackers changed settings to defrost, causing the food to spoil and forcing supermarkets to throw the goods away.

Source: TechCrunch. See the original source for full details.