Hackers disrupt refrigeration systems at European supermarkets

A cyberattack on refrigeration systems has disrupted stores run by multiple supermarket chains across several European countries after hackers remotely changed temperature settings on freezers and cooling systems.

In some cases, hackers shut down refrigerators or activated defrosting systems, causing temperatures to rise, resulting in significant product losses and forcing store managers to intervene early in the morning.

Refrigeration failures were identified at dozens of supermarkets, but it is unclear whether they were hit in a coordinated attack or targeted individually.

More than 115 stores in Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Luxembourg, Ireland, and Estonia have been affected. Spokespersons for multiple chains confirmed the issues in statements for BleepingComputer.

Supermarket chains that acknowledged refrigeration issues include: