Freezers across Europe targeted

Supermarkets in seven European countries have been hit by a suspected cyber-attack affecting their fridges and freezers, raising concerns about vulnerabilities in internet-connected hardware.

Any connected device can be exploited

Smart devices including fridges, central heating and washing machines can be remotely controlled when connected to the internet, but any device online can potentially be exploited by malicious actors.

Past vulnerabilities in smart devices

In two thousand fifteen, researchers demonstrated how a vulnerability in a Samsung smart fridge could allow them to intercept internet traffic. But there is no evidence domestic appliances are being targeted in the current attacks.

Manufacturers must do better

Ciaran Martin, former chief executive of the UK's National Cyber Security Centre, says manufacturers need to demand safer devices. He advised consumers to keep devices updated and enable multi-factor authentication wherever possible.

“There's a lot more that we need to demand of big tech to give us safer devices and products in the first place.”

Hundreds of UK retail systems exposed

Researchers from UK Cyber Defence identified more than eight hundred refrigeration and building-control interfaces associated with British retailers that can be accessed over the public internet, potentially exposing them to attackers exploiting weak passwords.

Ransomware hit UK supermarkets in May

When M&S and the Co-op were targeted by ransomware hackers in May two thousand twenty-five, the retailers struggled to stock shop shelves with fresh deliveries.

Attackers can weaponise normal functions

Tom Hegel, researcher at SentinelOne, says retailers must clarify who owns equipment security. Once attackers control systems, legitimate functions like defrosting become tools for disruption that can destroy physical stock, not just interrupt computers.

“Once an attacker can operate those controls, legitimate functions such as defrosting become tools for disruption.”