Hackers forced internet-connected fridge and freezer controllers at hundreds of French supermarkets into defrost mode, spoiling food and triggering some fires. The attack hit several grocery chains and exposed weak points in food-supply systems.
01Summary
- 01Hundreds of supermarkets in France were hit early on Monday in a coordinated cyberattack.
- 02E. Leclerc, Intermarche and Cooperative U said hackers forced fridges and freezers into defrost mode for several hours.
- 03The temperatures reportedly rose to 50 degrees Celsius, causing food to spoil and, in some cases, fires to break out.
- 04Danfoss said the affected AK-SM800 and AK-SC355 controllers were running outdated firmware.
- 05Dominique Schelcher of Cooperative U said an investigation was under way and called the attack “of extreme gravity and ... unprecedented”.
02Why it matters
The attack shows how connected refrigeration systems can be disrupted remotely, with direct consequences for food safety and store operations. It also highlights wider risks to other networked industrial systems that keep essential services running.
Pulse AIAsk about this story
Answers are generated by AI from the story summary; they are not investment, health or legal advice.
