Cyberattacks on supermarket fridges and bomb threats test Europe

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Nov, 20:27 · Archive

Hackers have remotely sabotaged refrigeration systems at supermarkets across Europe, forcing food disposal and prompting an FBI warning.

Hackers remotely manipulated refrigeration systems at supermarkets across Europe last week, setting temperatures at facilities in Belgium, Luxembourg, Sweden and the Netherlands to as much as 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit). Retailers including Ahold Delhaize, IKEA, Colruyt Group and Carrefour were forced to discard spoiled food. French blood-bank refrigeration systems were subsequently targeted in what appeared to be a similar incident.

A wave of suspected hoax bomb threats disrupted dozens of flights across the continent, forcing diversions and, in some cases, fighter jet escorts. Bomb threats also targeted European news outlets, including Sky News in the UK and Irish public broadcaster RTÉ. The FBI has issued a public warning following the incidents, urging US grocers and cold storage facilities to strengthen security, noting that cyber-attackers are targeting industrial refrigeration and cold-chain monitoring systems around the world.

Authorities have not established who was behind the attacks or whether they were connected. Defence and security experts warn that disruption to everyday services can have serious consequences. Sidharth Kaushal, a research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, suggested that if Russia were responsible, such attacks could be intended to demonstrate the costs of Europe's continued support for Ukraine. Russia did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

How it is being reported

• FBI warns cyberattackers could strike US supermarket freezers following hacks in Europe — here’s what shoppers need to knowThe FBI warning comes after a string of freezer and fridge hacks in Europe — leading to widespread food spoilage in grocery stores.New York Post · 9 Nov, 20:06
• From supermarket fridges to passenger flights, a wave of threats is testing Europe's defensesCyberattacks on fridges in supermarkets and a wave of bomb threats are testing Europe’s ability to withstand disruption to crucial infrastructure.CNBC · 9 Nov, 05:00

In this story: Europe · Belgium · Luxembourg · Sweden · Netherlands · France · FBI · Russia

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log