Science & Tech · Cybersecurity · 1 hr ago
Cyberattack defrosts refrigerators at hundreds of French supermarkets
Hackers remotely triggered the defrost systems in supermarkets across France overnight on Sunday.
Intermarché said 150 to 200 of its shops were affected, while almost 100 Coopérative U outlets were also hit.
Other chains may have been affected, but the reports differ on which stores were targeted and the companies have not all confirmed it.
The affected systems control refrigeration equipment used to keep fresh and frozen food cold.
Stores said they would have to discard spoiled products, and officials reported fires at some locations.
The attack also caused financial losses and raised concerns about the security of connected equipment used in food supply systems.
Paris prosecutors have opened an investigation to identify the victims and assess the reported losses and fires.
A cyberattack remotely triggered defrost cycles in refrigeration systems at hundreds of French supermarket stores.
Intermarché and Coopérative U confirmed that their stores were affected, while reports also named other chains.
The incident caused fresh and frozen food to spoil and was linked by authorities to outbreaks of fire.
The Paris prosecutor’s office opened an investigation into the attack and reported damage.
The attackers’ identity and the method used to access the refrigeration controllers have not been established.
- Who
- Intermarché and Coopérative U confirmed they were affected; reports also named other supermarket chains.
- What
- A cyberattack remotely triggered defrosting in supermarket refrigeration systems, spoiling food and reportedly causing fires.
- When
- The attack began on Sunday night and was reported on Monday, October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Supermarkets across France.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The cyberattack began affecting refrigeration systems at supermarket stores.
Intermarché and Coopérative U reported the attack, and the Paris prosecutor’s office opened an investigation.
- Intermarché
- An estimated 150–200 shops targeted
- Coopérative U
- Almost 100 outlets targeted
- Affected stores
- Reports put the total at between 250 and 350 stores
- Refrigeration controllers
- Danfoss AK-SM800 and AK-SC355 systems were identified as affected in CNET
- Investigation
- Opened by the Paris prosecutor’s office
What people are saying
Targeting equipment essential for preserving fresh produce and supplying food to the French people is an extremely serious matter and is unprecedented. It is unacceptable.
the large-scale cyber-attack affecting the refrigerators of several major food retail chains across France
We are working with affected customers to implement appropriate mitigation measures, including firmware updates where available, stronger network protections and removing direct internet exposure where applicable,
Posts on X
Je confirme qu’une cyberattaque touche depuis cette nuit les installations de production de froid de plusieurs magasins de notre réseau @CooperativeU. Nos équipes sont pleinement mobilisées, en lien avec les frigoristes, pour rétablir la situation au plus vite. Une enquête devra
Je condamne fermement la cyber attaque visant des produits alimentaires chez @intermarche @CooperativeU @Leclerc La sécurité alimentaire nécessite plus d’attention à tous les niveaux. Car l’instrumentalisation de l'alimentation est devenue une réalité. @UEFrance
On compte 2752 "systèmes" Danfoss en ligne. On va faire un thread vite et mal à l'ancienne. 1ere observation : 1590 "systèmes" sur 2752 sont en France
Sources
フランスのスーパー数百店舗で冷蔵設備にサイバー攻撃 温度が最高50度に上昇し食品大量廃棄に
Explicador: ¿Qué falló en el hackeo a refrigeradores en Francia?
Hintergründe unklar – Cyberangriff stört Kühlanlagen französischer Handelsketten
Cyberattack Targets French Supermarket Refrigerators, Forcing Mass Food Disposal
Un ciberataque a los sistemas de refrigeración estropea grandes cantidades de producto en supermercados de Francia
Business-Ticker: Cyberangriff stört Kühlanlagen französischer Supermärkte
Schwere Cyber-Attacke in Frankreich - Hacker legen Kühlung in Supermärkten lahm
Millionenschaden in Frankreich: Cyberangriff legt Kühltruhen in Supermärkten lahm
Lebensmittel: Cyberangriff stört Kühlanlagen französischer Handelsketten
Cyber-attack defrosts refrigerators in two French supermarket chains
Cyberattack shuts down refrigerators at French supermarkets
Frankreich: Brände und verdorbene Lebensmittel – Cyberangriff auf französische Supermärkte
Hacker heizen Kühltruhen auf: Tonnenweise Lebensmittel verderben
France supermarkets say cyberattack forced defrosting of refrigerators in over 200 stores
Cyberaanval laat koelingen Franse supermarkten ontdooien
French supermarket chains say cyberattack forced refrigerator shutdown
Hackers laten koelinstallaties van Franse supermarkten op hol slaan, ook in België problemen
Cyberattack disrupts refrigeration at hundreds of French supermarkets
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