Hackers target supermarket systems in France, manipulate refrigerator temperatures and cause fire

Paris (The Uttam Hindu): A major cyber security incident has reportedly affected supermarket refrigeration systems in several European countries, including France. Hackers allegedly manipulated smart refrigeration systems, raising temperatures above 50 degrees Celsius and triggering fires in around 150 connected refrigerators. The Paris prosecutor's office has confirmed that connected refrigeration systems used by major food retailers in France were affected. Similar incidents have also been reported in Denmark, the Netherlands and Belgium, prompting investigations into a possible coordinated cyberattack and suspected links to Russian-backed hacking groups. According to media reports, France has ordered a high-level investigation with intelligence being shared among affected European countries.

Several major French supermarket chains, including Carrefour, Monoprix, Auchan, Intermarché and E.Leclerc, were reportedly targeted. According to The Guardian, Les Mousquetaires, the parent company of Intermarché, said some refrigerators continued heating to 50 degrees Celsius for approximately six hours. Preliminary findings suggest that attackers accessed central IT systems and forced refrigeration units into continuous defrost mode, disrupting their cooling functions. The temperature rise reportedly damaged stored food, forcing retailers to discard affected products over concerns about spoilage and food safety. The incident has raised concerns about the security of connected equipment used by large retail chains.

Danish refrigeration equipment manufacturer Danfoss reportedly said the affected units were running outdated firmware, highlighting potential weaknesses in their software security. The company said it had previously advised retailers and customers to update their systems and strengthen cyber security measures. Investigators are examining how the attackers gained access, the extent of the damage and whether the incidents across the four countries were connected. Authorities have yet to establish who was responsible for the attacks.