Cyberattack Disrupts Supermarkets' Refrigeration Systems Across Europe

• •Cyberattack on refrigeration systems affected supermarkets in at least nine European countries.
• •Temperatures in freezers were manipulated, leading to significant food spoilage.
• •The attacks highlight vulnerabilities in outdated, internet-connected refrigeration controllers.

On November 3, 2026, a cyberattack targeted refrigeration systems in supermarkets across at least nine European countries, including Belgium, Sweden, and Ireland, causing significant food spoilage. The attack followed a similar incident in France three weeks prior, where around 700 supermarkets were affected. Retailers like Carrefour and Coop reported that temperatures in freezers were manipulated to as high as 50 degrees Celsius, leading to the disposal of perishable goods. The attack exploited vulnerabilities in internet-connected refrigeration controllers, which are often outdated and lack proper security measures. EU officials have deemed these incidents a deliberate attempt to disrupt the food supply chain. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, and investigations are ongoing. The situation has raised alarms about the security of critical infrastructure and the potential for further attacks on food supply chains and other civilian infrastructure.