Hackers Alter Refrigeration Settings, Forcing European Stores to Discard Food

Hackers changed refrigeration settings at European supermarkets, forcing stores to discard produce, while UK suppliers reported attacks on cold-storage systems.

Supermarkets are reviewing their refrigeration security after cyberattacks on November 2 altered cooling settings and forced stores to discard chilled and frozen food. Reports initially covered seven European countries, but later disclosures added Germany and identified affected food businesses in the UK.

By November 3, some retailers had restored operations while disconnecting refrigeration controllers from the internet. Others were checking equipment installed outside their centrally managed networks, where individual stores and contractors handle remote access.

Refrigeration Controls Switched to Defrost

At an ICA Kvantum store in Sjöbo, southern Sweden, employees found refrigeration controls set to 50°C (122°F). Another ICA store in Stockholm reported a similar incident and said food had been destroyed. These reports describe altered settings, rather than independently verified temperatures throughout the stored products.

Belgian refrigeration company Sabcobel...

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