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Cyber-Attack Disrupts Fridges and Freezers at Supermarkets Across Europe
Cyber-attack hits supermarket fridges and freezers across Europe, with attacks in November.
Key points
- Suspected cyber-attacks targeted supermarkets in Europe in November.
- The NCSC said it was unaware of any impact on the UK.
- UK Cyber Defence found more than 800 refrigeration and building-control interfaces linked to British retailers online.
Why it matters. Refrigeration and building-control interfaces that can be reached over the public internet could leave retailers exposed to attackers exploiting weak passwords or software vulnerabilities.
A suspected cyber-attack that targeted supermarkets in November hit their refrigeration equipment across the continent. The UK's National Cyber Security Centre said it was working with international partners and industry to understand the incidents, but it was unaware of any impact on the UK. UK Cyber Defence researchers identified more than 800 refrigeration and building-control interfaces linked to British retailers that can be reached over the public internet.
Latest updates
Cyber-Attack Disrupts Fridges and Freezers at Supermarkets Across Europe
Dozens of shops across European countries have been hit by a suspected cyber-attack affecting their refrigeration equipment, according to the BBC. The incident has raised concern about the vulnerability of internet-connected hardware, from industrial machinery to household appliances. Smart devices such as fridges, central heating systems and washing machines can be remotely controlled, which makes them easier to manage but also potentially easier to compromise. The BBC reports that the attack is suspected rather than confirmed. Investigations into the source and scale of the attack are continuing.
Cyberattack Disables Supermarket Fridges and Freezers Across Seven European Countries
Dozens of supermarkets across seven European countries have been hit by a cyber-attack that affected their refrigerators and freezers. Around 40 Delhaize supermarkets in Belgium and Luxembourg were affected. A smaller number of shops were hit in Sweden, Ireland, the Netherlands, Estonia and Finland. At several ICA grocery stores in Sweden, freezers had to be emptied after the attack. Sabcobel, a Belgian company that manufactures the affected refrigeration systems, is among the parties involved in the response. Details of the attacker and the full scope of the disruption have not been confirmed.
A fresh wave of cyberattacks has hit Europe’s supermarket refrigerators, destroying food across countries
This is the second wave of cyberattacks to hit supermarket refrigerators in a month, spoiling food and disrupting supplies. In Brief Posted: 6:08 AM PST · November 2, 2026 Image Credits: Mouneb Taim / Anadolu / Getty Images A second wave of cyberattacks is suspected to have hit supermarket refrigerators across Europe, causing fridges to increase temperatures and spoil food at dozens of stores across Belgium, Ireland, Luxembourg and Sweden. Supermarket giants Ahold Delhaize and Colruyt confirmed the hacks overnight, with one Belgian company that operates Delhaize’s systems saying that the hackers had changed the settings to defrost, per Reuters . Stores have experienced heavy food losses from the cyberattacks, forcing supermarkets to throw out goods that had defrosted or were otherwise no longer consumable. The cyberattacks follow earlier refrigerator hacks across in France last month that caused food spoilage at hundreds of supermarkets by deliberately raising the temperature on the units. Security researchers said that the cause of the hacks were internet-connected refrigerators made by Danish company Danfoss, which was no longer providing security updates. Security company Claroty warned back in August that those refrigerator units were at risk of remote hacks and outages. The freezer hacks underscore how cyberattacks can have real-world effects, including on the food supply .
Cyberattacks Spoil Food as Supermarket Fridges Across Europe Fail Again
A second wave of suspected cyberattacks has struck supermarket refrigerators across Europe, causing units to warm and food to spoil. The incidents have affected dozens of stores in Belgium, Ireland, Luxembourg and Sweden. Supermarket groups Ahold Delhaize and Colruyt confirmed the disruption. The attacks are the second such wave in roughly a month, and they have also disrupted supplies. The disruption shows how connected store equipment can be targeted to damage inventory. Investigators have not publicly named a responsible party in the source material.