Smart Fridges Hacked, Millions of Euros of Food Destroyed
Hackers defrosted millions of Euros of food in European supermarkets, prompting urgent software updates and investigations.
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European supermarkets and food suppliers have been hit by another wave of cyberattacks, with hackers remotely instructing smart refrigerators to engage defrost mode, rendering millions of Euros of food unfit for consumption. Over 100 supermarkets across Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Ireland, Finland, Luxembourg, and Estonia were targeted in an attack that began late on Sunday night.
Defrost Mode Causes Widespread Damage
The attackers exploited vulnerabilities in outdated software, remotely instructing internet-connected smart fridges to boost temperatures from sub-freezing to as high as 50 degrees Celsius (122°F). While a handful of attacks were detected quickly, most went unnoticed, leading to massive quantities of food being defrosted and discarded. Affected retailers include major chains like Carrefour, EDEKA, Spar, Intermarché, ICA Group, Colruyt, Axfood, Delhaize, the Belgian Cooperative, and IKEA.
Some stores deployed refrigerated trucks to transfer frozen goods before they were destroyed, while others hired dumpsters and staff to clear spoiled food from shelves. The European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, stated the attacks were a deliberate attempt to sabotage the food supply and undermine public confidence. The identity of the attackers remains unknown, but the EU has launched an investigation.
Industry Calls for Urgent Cybersecurity Measures
The attacks follow a previous incident where over 700 supermarkets were impacted, highlighting the vulnerability of digital systems in the food supply chain. The realization that these systems are largely unprotected and connected to the open internet has triggered widespread concern. The Pentagon is now considering whether refrigeration failures affecting troops may have been deliberate sabotage.
British industrial publication The Grocer reported that a small number of food suppliers have been impacted for the first time. Tony Goodger of the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers noted the industry is taking the threat seriously but believes European supermarkets are the primary target. One British supplier reported that hackers had set fridges to automatically defrost every hour.
The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers has reported the incidents to the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre, which has urged the industry to update fridge and freezer software urgently. Stephan Moelans of Sabcobel, a manufacturer of affected fridges, stated the company is working to disconnect smart fridges from the internet, though many may require physical modifications.
Global Concerns Over Cybersecurity in Critical Infrastructure
The attacks have sparked global concerns about the security of critical infrastructure, particularly in sectors that sustain daily life. Cybersecurity experts warn that even technically unsophisticated actors can cause significant damage to food supply chains, emphasizing the need for urgent action to protect digital systems that support essential services.
Source: Breitbart
