On 11 October 2026, an unknown party hacked into the refrigeration systems at hundreds of French supermarkets and set them to defrost mode overnight, causing them to overheat. The cold chain disruption forced supermarkets to discard vast stocks of refrigerated goods, resulting in losses estimated to total millions of euros . [ 1 ] [ 2 ]
On the night of 11 October 2026, over 300 Intermarché and Netto stores, 100 Coopérative U stores, 80 Carrefour stores, around 30 Monoprix stores, several E.Leclerc stores, and others were struck in an unprecedented [ 3 ] cyber attack. [ 4 ] The supermarkets' refrigeration systems were compromised and instructed to enter defrost mode, some for multiple cycles. Refrigerators overheated due to the continual defrosting, with some climbing up to 50°C (122°F) after six hours. In some locations fires were sparked by overheated machinery or melted. [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] Whole aisles of refrigerated produce and frozen goods were disposed of due to public health concerns. [ 8 ]
BFM TV initially reported that some locations could face losses in the tens of thousands; two outlets in Alsace alone reported a combined loss €270,000. The total damage is anticipated to amount to millions of euros. [ 9 ] [ 10 ]
Prime Minister of France Sébastien Lecornu instructed the Agence nationale de la sécurité des systèmes d'information (ANSSI) to investigate the cyber attack and coordinate with other European countries to prevent further hacks. [ 5 ] Investigators determined AK-SM800 and AK-SC355 refrigerator regulator systems by Danish manufacturer Danfoss to be the attack surface , with the company stating that the affected models ran on outdated firmware and were no longer supported. The company had previously advised its customers to keep the firmware updated or to replace the units. [ 11 ]
Investigations found the same vulnerabilities within refrigerators throughout Europe, including Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Poland, and Spain. [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 12 ]
Security expert Kevin Beaumont stated that not only were the refrigeration units' internet exposed, the username was set to "admin" and that the password automatically changed to the current date. [ 13 ]
European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen commented on the attack, saying that "Food security requires more attention at all levels". [ 6 ]
Coopérative U CEO Dominique Schelcher described the cyber attack as "unprecedented", "unacceptable," and "extremely serious". [ 3 ]
↑ " 'Unprecedented' cyberattack targets refrigeration units at hundreds of French supermarkets" . France 24 . 12 October 2026 . Retrieved 13 October 2026 .
↑ "Fridges in French supermarkets hit by cyber attack" . BBC . 12 October 2026 . Retrieved 13 October 2026 .
1 2 "Hundreds of French supermarkets hit by a cyberattack that turned up the heat in refrigeration systems" . DW . Retrieved 13 October 2026 .
↑ Chaperon, Isabelle; Leloup, Damien; Pinaud, Olivier; Rescan, Manon; Reynaud, Florian (13 October 2026). "A disastrous day for French supermarkets after massive cyberattack targets refrigeration systems" . Le Monde . ISSN 1950-6244 . Retrieved 13 October 2026 .
1 2 3 "Hackers force French supermarket fridges to heat up to 50C in 'unprecedented' cyber-attack" . The Guardian . 12 October 2026. ISSN 0261-3077 . Retrieved 13 October 2026 .
1 2 3 "French supermarkets suffer refrigerator shutdown after 'unprecedented' cyberattack | AFP.com" . AFP . Retrieved 13 October 2026 .
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↑ Kurdi, Mariam El (12 October 2026). "Cyberattaque de frigos : près de 300 magasins Intermarché touchés, des pertes de plusieurs millions d'euros redoutées" . Radio France (in French).
↑ "Cyberattack Hits French Supermarket Fridges, Spoiling Stock" . Gadget Review . 12 October 2026.
↑ "French supermarkets suffer refrigerator shutdown after 'unprecedented' cyberattack | AFP.com" . .
↑ Marchandon, Leo; Stargardter, Gabriel (12 October 2026). "Hackers heat French supermarket fridges, sparking fires and spoiling food" . Reuters . Retrieved 13 October 2026 .
↑ "Kevin Beaumont (@[email protected])" . Cyberplace . 2026-10-12 . Retrieved 2026-10-13 .
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