Who is hacking Europe’s supermarket fridges and freezers, and why?

Supermarket refrigeration systems across seven European countries have been targeted in a second apparent cyber-attack in as many weeks, with thermostats remotely manipulated to reach temperatures as high as 50°C (122°F). The incidents have caused widespread equipment malfunctions and raised alarm over potential food spoilage and supply chain disruption. The European Union has condemned the attacks, describing them as “a deliberate attempt to disrupt our food supply chain and undermine consumers’ confidence in it.” The attacks highlight the vulnerability of Internet-connected industrial control systems used in retail and logistics. By exploiting weak security in smart refrigeration units, threat actors can cause physical damage, financial losses, and public safety risks. While no group has claimed responsibility, experts suggest motives could range from cyber extortion to state-sponsored disruption or hacktivism aimed at critical infrastructure. Supermarkets and refrigeration manufacturers are now under pressure to strengthen cybersecurity measures, including network segmentation, regular patching, and monitoring for anomalous temperature changes. The EU is considering stricter regulations for IoT devices in the food sector. As digital and physical systems converge, such attacks may become more frequent, making resilience a top priority for retailers and governments alike.