European supermarket fridges got hacked. Again. Here's what to know

A series of mysterious cyberattacks have targeted the refrigeration systems of supermarkets across Europe, causing temperatures to rise and resulting in substantial food waste. Officials are now investigating the incidents, which have occurred in countries including Sweden, Belgium, Luxembourg, Ireland, Italy, and Estonia.

The attacks have resulted in fridges and freezers warming up to temperatures well above the normal range, leading to large quantities of perishable items spoiling. In Sweden, a supermarket reported that its refrigeration units had been hacked and set to 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit). This is similar to a previous incident that affected hundreds of supermarkets and independent stores in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

The extent of the damage caused by these cyberattacks is significant. Tens of millions of dollars' worth of food has been lost due to spoilage. While the attacks have primarily affected larger supermarket chains, smaller businesses have also been impacted. For example, an Athens butcher shop owner stated that someone remotely accessed the temperature control of a refrigeration unit, raising it to a dangerously high 150 degrees Celsius.