Fridges heated to 50°C, food destroyed: Hundreds of shops in France hit by cyberattack

A cyberattack targeting supermarket refrigeration systems in France led to food spoilage and fires. The attack, which took place on October 12, compelled hundreds of supermarket outlets across France to discard perishable goods and repair damaged equipment. French authorities are investigating the incident, which could result in significant financial losses.

The cyberattack exploited weaknesses in digital systems controlling commercial refrigeration equipment, forcing fridges into defrost mode and raising temperatures to up to 50°C (122°F). French supermarkets affected include Intermarché, Carrefour, Coopérative U, and Monoprix. The incident underscores the risks of connected devices in physical operations and the need for robust cybersecurity measures.