Refrigeration cyberattacks highlight the risks of connecting industrial systems to the internet
Summary
Cyberattacks affecting supermarket refrigeration systems in seven European countries on Monday caused fridge and freezer temperatures to rise, forcing stores to discard spoiled food. Experts say internet-connected industrial equipment can let attackers disrupt physical systems, especially when devices are exposed online, use weak passwords, or rely on outdated equipment.Key Facts
- The affected countries were Belgium, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Sweden.
- A separate attack in France in October affected hundreds of supermarkets.
- The French attack targeted a refrigeration control system made by Danish company Danfoss.
- A cybersecurity engineer said some refrigeration systems were exposed to the internet despite normally being intended for closed networks.
- Experts identified exploited technical weaknesses and stolen or compromised login details as possible ways to access industrial equipment.
- France's National Cybersecurity Agency chief said the October attack involved direct internet exposure and weak passwords.
- Experts said they could not determine who was behind the French attack or whether the attackers had significant resources.
- A 2025 French national security document identified attacks on food supply chains as a priority threat.
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