Cyberattack targets refrigeration systems in seven European countries

Hackers disrupted refrigeration systems across at least seven European Union countries on November 2, 2026, by remotely manipulating temperatures. The incidents were reported in Sweden, Finland, Ireland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Estonia, and the Netherlands, according to Reuters.

Regional Impact and Temperature Fluctuations

Reports indicate significant temperature spikes in several locations:

• Sweden: The supermarket chain Coop reported disruptions at several stores. ICA reported that an ICA Nära store in Boda reached 55°C, while another ICA supermarket in Sjöbo reported temperatures of 50°C.
• Estonia: According to the Associated Press, attackers accessed a computer controlling refrigeration equipment at a Selver supermarket and set the temperature to 50°C.
• Belgium: Carrefour confirmed refrigeration problems at approximately 15 of its more than 700 stores. Ahold Delhaize reported an overnight IT incident affecting refrigerators and freezers at dozens of stores in Belgium and Luxembourg.
• Ireland: Musgrave Group stated that refrigeration systems at 13 SuperValu stores were affected, requiring the removal of chilled and frozen products from sale.
• Finland: Public broadcaster Yle reported that Kesko detected temperature problems at several smaller K-food stores. The company stated it was investigating the cause and had not ruled out interference through network connections.
• Netherlands: NL Times reported, citing equipment supplier Danfoss, that refrigeration and freezer systems at at least 17 businesses were targeted overnight.

Technical Vulnerabilities

Some of the compromised systems utilized remote-control technology. Danfoss stated that some systems targeted in the Netherlands remained connected to unsecured networks and were still using default passwords. Equipment from manufacturer Copeland was also reported affected in Belgium.

This incident follows a similar cyberattack in France approximately three weeks prior. Reuters reported that around 700 stores were affected in that instance, with attackers pushing temperatures above 50°C. The Record concluded that the French attacks affected controllers from multiple manufacturers, including older Danfoss and Copeland systems, some of which had reached the end of their supported life and no longer received security updates.

Security Concerns

Cybersecurity expert Tom Hegel said that "Changing a setting can destroy physical inventory, not just disrupt computer systems."

In the UK, researchers at UK Cyber Defence identified more than 800 refrigeration and building control system interfaces related to UK retailers that can be accessed via the public internet. The UK's National Cyber Security Centre said it is working with international partners and the industry to understand the situation, but has found no impact on the UK so far.

No one has publicly claimed responsibility for the November 2 incidents, and authorities have not identified the attackers or established a motive.

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Sources

• bbc.com (in Chinese): If hackers can control supermarket freezers, how vulnerable are other tech devices? - BBC News Chinese
• united24media.com: Hackers Raise Supermarket Freezers to 55°C as Cyberattack Spreads Across Seven EU Countries — UNITED24 Media

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.