Cyberattacks Target Supermarket Fridges Across Europe, Greece Warned

Hackers attacked refrigeration systems at supermarket chains in several European countries, changing temperature settings and causing large quantities of food to spoil. In France, hundreds of stores belonging to major retail chains were hit in October 2026, with temperatures in cold rooms reportedly reaching 50 degrees Celsius.

A new wave of attacks on 2 November struck businesses in Belgium, Sweden, Ireland, Luxembourg and Estonia. Major retail chains confirmed problems with their cooling systems, and some stores had to remove products from refrigerators and freezers to keep food safe.

“The absence of a financial motive or claim of responsibility distinguishes the attack from the usual practices of criminal groups.”

Earlier attacks affected about 40 Delhaize stores in Belgium and Luxembourg, as well as a smaller number of shops in Ireland, Sweden, Estonia, Finland and the Netherlands. No clear financial motive has been identified, and no hacker group has claimed responsibility.

Greece was also affected. Hackers targeted supermarket refrigerators and a butcher shop in Kifisia, and the National Cyber Security Authority identified more than 300 exposed systems in the country.

US authorities issued a warning on 5 November about continuing threats to industrial refrigeration systems, saying exploitation of vulnerabilities in internet-connected temperature controllers could cause serious damage, product losses and disruption to critical facilities.

Security experts warn the supermarket attacks may only be the beginning. They say almost any internet-connected device could become a target, with consequences depending on the system breached. Some experts are examining whether the incidents fit a broader sabotage programme by a state actor, though no link has been confirmed.

US authorities are also investigating refrigeration malfunctions recorded at US military bases in August. It remains unclear whether those incidents are connected to the European attacks.