Europe's fridges are getting hacked. Could America be next?
Cyberattacks are wreaking havoc on an unlikely target across Europe: supermarket refrigerators. Why it matters: Hackers are turning everyday, internet-connected equipment into physical hazards, spoiling food and causing costly damage. U.S. supermarkets use similar technology, and the Pentagon is already investigating suspected cyberattacks involving refrigeration systems at six military…
Hackers are targeting supermarket refrigerators in Europe, potentially putting similar technology used in U.S. grocery stores at risk. The attacks have caused refrigerators to overheat, spoil food, and in some cases, cause fires. European supermarkets such as Ahold Delhaize, Colruyt, ICA, and Coop reported incidents, with temperatures rising to dangerous levels overnight.
Belgian authorities suspect hackers switched refrigeration units into defrost mode, while Swedish chains reported temperatures reaching 122°F. The Pentagon is investigating similar cyberattacks at U.S. military commissaries. Similar attacks occurred in France last month, causing fires and food losses, raising concerns about the security of refrigeration systems in both Europe and the United States.
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