Hackers can hijack grocery store freezers. What about our homes?

Cyberattacks targeting grocery store refrigeration systems across Europe have caused food spoilage and financial losses, raising concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and internet-connected smart devices. This follows a similar incident in France earlier this month where hundreds of stores experienced temperature spikes.

Cybersecurity experts warn that these types of vulnerabilities could also exist in our homes, as millions of appliances from smart fridges to security cameras are now connected to the internet. Dr. Manny Niri from Oxford Brookes University explains that devices like these often have weak security due to default passwords, outdated software, and poor account practices.

Professor George Loukas from the University of Greenwich adds that weaknesses in mass-produced devices could potentially expose millions of households to hackers at once, as one flaw in a popular model could grant access to every home using that device.

The consequences could extend beyond just turning appliances on or off remotely, as hackers could exploit legitimate functions to cause physical harm. Unauthorized camera access could reveal when people are home and what they're doing, while compromised fridges could interfere with alarms or lock systems.

In 2025, U.S. officials discovered a critical vulnerability in certain WiFi thermostats that could give hackers full control. The Federal Trade Commission has also documented cases where hackers accessed Ring security camera accounts to spy on homeowners.

While ordinary households are unlikely to be targeted specifically, there's a greater danger from exploiting vulnerabilities across millions of identical devices. A single flaw in a popular model could put every home using that device at risk. Experts advise taking steps like changing default passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, regularly updating software, and maintaining manual control over essential systems.

Despite these concerns, the experts stress that the threat to individual homes is not likely to be deliberate.