Hackers Turn Up the Heat On Europe’s Supermarket Freezers

Supermarkets across Europe threw away food after a suspected cyberattack raised temperatures in fridges and freezers overnight on November 2.

Carrefour reported disruption at 15 Belgian stores, while 13 SuperValu outlets in Ireland were affected.

The incidents followed a similar attack on French supermarkets in October.

Belgian prosecutors have opened an investigation.

The target was the equipment that controls the temperature.

Internet-connected controllers let technicians monitor cooling systems and adjust settings remotely.

In some Belgian stores, the systems were switched to defrost mode, a routine function that melts frost buildup. Used at the wrong time, it can leave frozen stock warming for hours before staff arrive.

Danfoss, which supplied software used in affected systems, urged customers to install security updates and keep controllers off the public internet.

The attacks expose a weak point in the cold chain, the network of refrigerated warehouses, trucks and shops that keeps perishable food safe.

A compromised controller can turn a security breach into a food safety problem before a shop opens.

For Nigerian supermarkets and cold-room operators using similar equipment, the lesson is practical.

Staff need independent temperature alarms and a way to check and operate cooling equipment on site if remote controls are compromised.