Supermarket freezers across Europe hit by new 'Cold War' cyberattack
More suspected cyberattacks have targeted supermarkets across Europe, with the same M.O. as before: upping the temperatures to spoil the food.
Cyberattacks on supermarket freezers across Europe have resurfaced, mirroring a "Cold War" trend that began in October 2026. This time, Ireland's Supervalu, Sweden's Axfood and ICO, as well as Belgian, Luxembourg, and Estonian supermarkets are targeted. Similar to the previous incident, hackers accessed remote systems, turning freezers into heaters, causing food spoilage.
The US military is investigating comparable issues at six US bases, highlighting a potential vulnerability in remote refrigeration management systems. These systems, often older models with weak authentication and dangerous software flaws, make it easy for hackers to exploit them. In the French case, outdated security software couldn't be updated due to manufacturer restrictions, exposing over 400 stores to attack.
Christophe Hansen, European Food Commissioner, emphasized the critical need for enhanced food security at all levels, recognizing the cybercriminals, tech troublemakers, and even nation states could exploit this vulnerability.
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