European Supermarket Fridges Hacked Again: Could India's Cooling Systems Be At Risk?

Mysterious cyberattacks on supermarket refrigerators and freezers have spread across Europe, raising concerns about the security of internet-connected equipment. More than 100 shops across several countries were affected on November 2, with hackers remotely changing cooling settings and causing large quantities of food to spoil.

Retailers in Belgium, Luxembourg, Sweden and Ireland, among other countries, reported disruptions. Carrefour said about 15 of its 700 Belgian stores were affected, while five Spar outlets and 13 SuperValu stores in Ireland also reported problems. In Sweden, Coop said cooling systems at seven stores were affected. A Belgian butcher reportedly lost meat worth around 15,000 euros after refrigerator temperatures rose to 18 degrees Celsius.

The latest incidents follow similar attacks in France in October, when hundreds of supermarkets reported spoiled food and damage to refrigeration equipment. In some cases, temperatures reportedly climbed to 50 degrees Celsius. Suspected refrigeration-system hacks were also reported at two US military facilities in August.

But why are supermarket fridges connected to the internet? These systems allow retailers and maintenance teams to monitor temperatures remotely, receive alerts, reduce energy use, prevent food waste and carry out repairs. However, this convenience can become a security risk when controllers are exposed to the internet without proper protection.

Cybersecurity experts have pointed to outdated software, known vulnerabilities and weak or default passwords as possible entry points. Some affected controllers had reportedly reached the end of their support period and were no longer receiving security updates.

The attacks also raise questions about India's supermarkets, cold-storage facilities and food-processing units, where connected refrigeration systems may be used for similar purposes. Such equipment could face comparable risks if poorly secured, although there are no confirmed reports of similar attacks on Indian supermarkets.

The perpetrators and their motives remain unknown. Belgium has opened a criminal investigation, while European authorities are coordinating their response. Officials suspect an attempt to disrupt food supplies and undermine consumer confidence, but no group has claimed responsibility. Experts have also found no evidence that artificial intelligence was used in the attacks.