{
  "id": 17920773,
  "title": "Refrigerator cyberattack spreads to many European countries, spoiling food worth thousands",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/03/refrigerator-cyberattack-spreads-to-many-european-countries-spoiling",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-11-03T06:14:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechSpot",
    "slug": "techspot",
    "url": "https://www.techspot.com/news/114419-refrigerator-cyberattack-spreads-many-european-countries-spoiling-food.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent cyberattack targeting refrigeration systems in grocery stores across seven European countries has resulted in significant financial losses and spoiled food, highlighting the dangers of inadequate IoT security practices. The incident, which occurred on Monday, affected stores in Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, and Estonia, with losses estimated at thousands of euros in some cases.\n\nBelgian Delhaize stores suffered particularly severe damage, with one store in Brussels estimating its losses at €100,000. The attack was similar to one that hit French grocery stores in mid-October, exposing critical vulnerabilities in the targeted systems. Refrigerators in the affected stores were set to automatically defrost, raising temperatures to dangerous levels and causing food to spoil.\n\nThe French attack caused extensive damages estimated in the tens of millions of euros, with the incident prompting an investigation into the underlying security flaws. Belgian ICA store manager Anders Nyman stated that employees were unaware of the attack until several hours later, when the damage was already done.\n\nThe source of the attacks remains unclear, as no individual or group has claimed responsibility. However, several affected stores used refrigeration units supplied by Danfoss, a Danish company whose controllers have been identified as vulnerable to cyberattacks. Security researcher Kevin Beaumont has noted that several thousand Danfoss management systems are accessible from the internet with minimal login security, using the default username \"admin\" and a daily password that changes to the current date. This security oversight, combined with outdated firmware and end-of-life systems, has left many devices susceptible to exploitation.\n\nThe incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with relying on IoT devices in critical infrastructure, such as grocery stores. Security researcher Kevin Beaumont warns that thousands of Danfoss management systems are directly reachable from the internet, with weak password protection that could be easily exploited by malicious actors. The attack also highlights the dangers of outdated firmware and end-of-life devices, which cannot receive security patches.\n\nWhile it is unclear whether the attacks were carried out by a sophisticated state actor or an individual with malicious intent, the incident underscores the need for improved cybersecurity measures in the IoT ecosystem. Experts fear that similar attacks could be part of a broader effort to destabilize a country's infrastructure, making it imperative for businesses and governments to prioritize cybersecurity in the face of evolving threats.",
  "summary": "A cyberattack on internet-connected refrigeration systems ruined food at grocery stores in at least seven European countries on Monday, with one Belgian Delhaize store estimating its losses at €100,000. The attack mirrors the one that hit French grocers in mid-October, exposing gaping security holes. Read Entire Article",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 12,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "More European grocery stores hit by apparent fridge-freezer hacks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/more-european-grocery-stores-hit-by-apparent-fridge-freezer-hacks",
        "published": "2026-11-02T12:45:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CityNews",
        "title": "Freezers at supermarkets in several European countries hit by apparent cyberattacks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/freezers-at-supermarkets-in-several-european-countries-hit-by",
        "published": "2026-11-02T12:46:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Freezers at supermarkets in several European countries hit by apparent cyberattacks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/freezers-at-supermarkets-in-several-european-countries-hit-by-17797742",
        "published": "2026-11-02T12:46:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "El Pais English",
        "title": "Ten European countries share evidence on alleged torture of Gaza flotilla activists",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/ten-european-countries-share-evidence-on-alleged-torture-of-gaza",
        "published": "2026-11-02T15:29:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "PBS NewsHour",
        "title": "Freezers at supermarkets in several European countries hit by apparent cyberattacks, ruining food",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/freezers-at-supermarkets-in-several-european-countries-hit-by-17817769",
        "published": "2026-11-02T15:31:46.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "GBC Ghana",
        "title": "European supermarket freezers hit by suspected cyber-attack",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/european-supermarket-freezers-hit-by-suspected-cyber-attack",
        "published": "2026-11-02T16:28:12.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Shop freezers in seven European countries hit by cyber-attack",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/shop-freezers-in-seven-european-countries-hit-by-cyber-attack",
        "published": "2026-11-02T17:16:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News (US)",
        "title": "European grocery chains' freezers, refrigerators targeted in apparent cyberattacks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/european-grocery-chains-freezers-refrigerators-targeted-in-apparent",
        "published": "2026-11-02T17:18:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "New cyberattack on European supermarket freezers",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/new-cyberattack-on-european-supermarket-freezers",
        "published": "2026-11-02T21:04:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "New cyberattack on European supermarket freezers",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/new-cyberattack-on-european-supermarket-freezers-17859452",
        "published": "2026-11-02T21:04:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Mainichi",
        "title": "Supermarket freezers in several European countries hit by apparent cyberattacks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/03/supermarket-freezers-in-several-european-countries-hit-by-apparent",
        "published": "2026-11-03T07:30:01.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}