European supermarkets face cyberattacks raising freezer temperatures

Grocery stores across Europe have experienced a new wave of suspected cyberattacks targeting their refrigeration systems, according to The Verge. Supermarkets in Belgium, Sweden, Luxembourg, and Estonia reported sudden and unauthorized changes to the temperatures of their fridges and freezers.

One Swedish ICA Kvantum store disclosed on Facebook that overnight hackers raised freezer temperatures to 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius), leading to spoiled food, The Verge reported with images from AFP. Swedish chain Coop confirmed some stores had their cooling systems tampered with by unauthorized actors, as stated to Business Insider.

Dutch retailer Ahold Delhaize attributed the temperature changes in dozens of its supermarkets in Belgium and Luxembourg to an IT incident, but the full extent of the situation remains unclear, The Verge noted. Many modern supermarket refrigeration units are internet-connected to allow remote maintenance and alerts.

The increasing frequency of these attacks is raising concerns about security vulnerabilities in connected cooling systems, highlighting the risks of cyberattacks on critical infrastructure in the retail sector, The Verge concluded.