French Supermarkets Hit by Cyberattacks: Hackers Raise Fridge Temperatures, Spoiling Tons of Food

Hundreds of French supermarkets have been subjected to unprecedented cyberattacks, leading to the spoilage of tonnes of food and sparking concerns about the vulnerability of food systems to advanced technology. The attacks, which appear to have targeted internet-connected refrigeration systems manufactured by Danish company Danfoss, caused temperatures in fridges and freezers to rise as high as 50 degrees Celsius (122F) in over 500 shops and supermarkets nationwide. Supermarket chains, including E-Leclerc, Intermarche, Carrefour, Monoprix, and Cooperative U, confirmed the attacks on Monday. France’s cybersecurity agency has recommended that companies operating affected freezer models immediately disconnect them from the internet or restrict access, and perform necessary software updates. The perpetrators of these attacks remain unknown, and authorities have launched an investigation.

What Happened?

Hackers gained remote internet access to the refrigeration systems, artificially increasing temperatures in freezers and fridges to 50C during overnight hours when stores were closed. Retailers estimate that millions of euros worth of food was spoiled. In some instances, the extreme temperatures reportedly caused fires or damaged equipment. Intermarche reported that at least 300 of its stores and its Netto brand were affected. Cooperative U stated that over 100 of its supermarkets were targeted, Carrefour reported 80 affected supermarkets, and Monoprix indicated that approximately 5 percent of its nearly 490 stores were impacted.

Officials are actively investigating the identity of the attackers and the methods employed. French television channel BFM reported that the attackers may have remotely activated a forced defrosting function within the refrigeration systems. According to France’s government cybersecurity agency, the targeted systems include Danfoss models AK-SM800 and AK-SC355. Danfoss informed AFP news agency that many of the affected control systems were older,