European Grocery Chains Hit by Cyberattacks Targeting Freezers and Fridges
European grocery chains have experienced cyberattacks that altered the temperature settings of their freezers and refrigerators, leading to food spoilage.
European grocery chains have recently fallen victim to a series of cyberattacks that targeted the temperature settings of their freezers and refrigerators, resulting in significant food spoilage. The attacks, which reportedly affected smaller stores within these chains, saw temperature settings altered, causing a notable impact on the freshness and safety of stored goods.
According to reports, the situation was largely contained and under control, with Coop stating that the issue was manageable. However, specific instances of the impact were noted, such as Carrefour reporting that 15 out of 700 stores were affected, and Musgrave, the owner of Irish grocery chain SuperValu, noting 13 stores impacted. Additionally, Danish manufacturer Danfoss reported that seventeen facilities using its refrigeration systems were affected by the temperature spikes.
The timing of these incidents is noteworthy, as they occurred less than a month after French supermarket chains faced a similar issue. In that case, French chains E. Leclerc, Intermarché, and Cooperative U reported a cyberattack, and Ahold Delhaize had also reported a cybersecurity incident to Dutch police in October. Furthermore, Belgian refrigeration company Sabcobel linked the temperature issues to a cyberattack, mobilizing technicians at 1 a.m. to address the situation.
Danfoss’s refrigeration control systems were specifically targeted in the previous French incident, indicating a pattern in the choice of targets. Despite the widespread impact, no claim of responsibility has been made for the hacks targeting grocery retailers in Europe, leaving the motive behind these cyberattacks unexplained.
These recent events highlight the vulnerability of critical infrastructure in the retail sector to cyber threats, underscoring the need for robust security measures to protect not just data, but also the physical conditions necessary for safe storage of perishable goods.
What we know
- - European grocery chains' freezers and refrigerators were targeted in apparent cyberattacks. 12
- - Temperature settings were altered, leading to food spoilage. 12
- - Smaller stores within the chains were primarily affected. 1
- - Coop stated the situation was contained and under control. 1
- - Carrefour reported 15 out of 700 stores were affected. 1
- - Musgrave reported 13 stores affected. 1
- - Danfoss reported seventeen facilities using its refrigeration systems affected. 1
- - Temperature spikes occurred less than a month after French supermarket chains faced a similar issue. 2
- - French chains E. Leclerc, Intermarché, and Cooperative U reported a cyberattack last month. 2
- - Ahold Delhaize reported a cybersecurity incident to Dutch police in October. 2
- - Sabcobel linked the temperature issues to a cyberattack. 2
- - Sabcobel mobilized technicians at 1 a.m. to address the situation. 2
- - Danfoss's refrigeration control systems were targeted in the previous French incident. 2
- - No claim of responsibility has been made for the hacks targeting grocery retailers in Europe. 2
Verification report
Partly unverified — probability of truth 64%, weighted across 23 claims from 2 independent outlets.
- confirmed European grocery chains' freezers and refrigerators were targeted in apparent cyberattacks. (85%)
- confirmed Temperature settings were altered, leading to food spoilage. (85%)
- likely Smaller stores within the chains were primarily affected. (71%)
- likely Coop stated the situation was contained and under control. (71%)
- likely Carrefour reported 15 out of 700 stores were affected. (71%)
- likely Musgrave, owner of Irish grocery chain SuperValu, reported 13 stores affected. (71%)
- likely Danfoss reported seventeen facilities using its refrigeration systems affected. (71%)
- likely Temperature spikes occurred less than a month after French supermarket chains faced a similar issue. (71%)
- likely French chains E. Leclerc, Intermarché, and Cooperative U reported a cyberattack last month. (71%)
- likely Ahold Delhaize reported a cybersecurity incident to Dutch police in October. (71%)
- likely Belgian refrigeration company Sabcobel linked the temperature issues to a cyberattack. (71%)
- likely Sabcobel mobilized technicians at 1 a.m. to address the situation. (71%)
- likely Danish manufacturer Danfoss's refrigeration control systems were targeted in the previous French incident. (71%)
- likely No claim of responsibility has been made for the hacks targeting grocery retailers in Europe. (71%)
- unverified The cyberattacks affected refrigerator and freezer systems in several European countries including Belgium, Sweden, Ireland, The Netherlands, and Estonia. (50%)
- unverified ICA and Coop in Sweden reported incidents in some of their stores. (50%)
- unverified ICA reported an 'incident overnight affecting a small number of ICA stores operating outside ICA’s central network'. (50%)
- unverified Seven out of over 800 Coop stores were affected. (50%)
- unverified Three European countries experienced unexpected temperature spikes in refrigerators and freezers. (50%)
- unverified Netherlands-based Ahold Delhaize and Belgium's Colruyt reported issues in Belgium and Luxembourg. (50%)
- unverified Swedish chains ICA and Coop also reported similar temperature spikes. (50%)
- unverified ICA reported a limited number of its stores were affected, without specifying the exact number. (50%)
- unverified Coop reported six of its approximately 800 stores had issues with refrigeration. (50%)
Sources
- ABC News — European grocery chains' freezers, refrigerators targeted in apparent cyberattacks
https://abcnews.com/International/european-grocery-chains-freezers-refrigerators-targeted-apparent-cyberattacks/story?id=137769974 - CBS News — More European grocery stores hit by apparent fridge-freezer hacks
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/europe-grocery-store-refrigerator-freezer-cyberattack-hack-food-wasted/