Science & Tech · Cybersecurity · 2 hrs ago
Hacked supermarket fridges raise alarm over Europe's cyber defenses
Hackers broke into supermarket fridge controls across Europe and raised the units’ temperatures, affecting hundreds of devices.
The attacks involved supermarkets in several countries, though it is not known whether the same people were behind them all.
Weak security made the attacks simple: hackers used manufacturers’ standard passwords to access the controls.
France said Iran was responsible for an October attack on 800 supermarkets in 24 hours, but the attackers behind incidents in other countries remain unclear.
The risk extends beyond supermarket fridges to systems connected to the internet, including blood supplies, power and heating.
Swedish cybersecurity expert Fredrik Blix says hidden threats may already be inside critical systems and could be activated later.
Blix says Europe needs to act now to improve cybersecurity before attacks cause greater harm.
Hackers used manufacturers’ default passwords to raise the temperatures of supermarket refrigeration systems, according to cybersecurity expert Fredrik Blix.
The attacks affected hundreds of refrigeration units across Europe, but it is not clear whether they were carried out by the same attackers.
France said Iran was responsible for an attack in October, while the identities of those behind attacks in Sweden and other European countries remain unknown.
Experts warned that internet-connected systems in other industries could also be vulnerable.
Blix said the attacks should be a wake-up call for Europe to improve its cybersecurity.
- Who
- Hackers targeted supermarket refrigeration systems. The attackers’ identities are not known in several countries.
- What
- Hackers accessed refrigeration controls and raised temperatures. Experts warned that similar vulnerabilities may affect other internet-connected systems.
- When
- France experienced an attack in mid-October; attacks in several European countries were reported in November.
- Where
- Supermarkets in France, Sweden and other European countries.
- Why
- The attackers’ motives are unclear. Blix said the October attack may have been intended to deter or influence European policy.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Wind and solar installations in Poland were disabled, and a combined heat and power plant was attacked.
An attack in France affected 800 supermarkets within 24 hours, according to Blix.
Refrigeration systems were attacked in several European countries; in Sweden, 30 systems were affected.
- France
- 800 supermarkets attacked within 24 hours in mid-October
- Sweden
- 30 systems affected in November
- Attack method
- Hackers used manufacturers’ standard passwords to access controls
- Attribution in France
- France blamed Iran; Blix said confidence in the attribution appeared high
- Other European attacks
- The attackers’ identities remain unclear
3 sources
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What people are saying
It is better to act now, before even greater costs arise.
These cyberattacks were only the beginning, and they should be a wake-up call for Europe.
This is completely transferable to other industries, to smart homes, and to a wide range of devices connected to the internet.