French fridge fright: Why supermarkets have become target for hackers

French supermarkets hit by cyberattacks, causing tonnes of food to perish.

The full report

More than 500 shops across France were hit in a major cyberattack targeting freezers, resulting in tonnes of food perishing. The attacks, which appeared to target internet-linked refrigeration systems manufactured by a Danish company, raised the temperature of fridges and freezers to as high as 50 degrees Celsius (122F) at more than 500 shops and supermarkets across the country.

Supermarkets confirmed the attacks on Monday. France's cybersecurity agency has advised companies operating affected freezer models to immediately disconnect them from the internet – or restrict access to them – and to perform software updates. It is unclear who may have been behind the attacks, but authorities say they have now launched an investigation.

Hackers gained internet access to the refrigeration systems and remotely cranked up temperatures in freezers and fridges to 50C during the night when shops were closed. Millions of euros worth of food was spoiled, according to retailers. In some cases, the raised temperatures sparked fires or melted equipment.

French supermarket groups E-Leclerc, Intermarche, Carrefour, Monoprix and Cooperative U were all hit. At least 300 of Intermarche's stores and its Netto brand were affected. Cooperative U said more than 100 of its supermarkets were targeted, while Carrefour said 80 supermarkets were affected and Monoprix reported that about 5 percent of its roughly 490 stores were hit.

The refrigeration models attacked included the AK-SM800 and AK-SC355, built by Danish manufacturer Danfoss. Danfoss told the AFP news agency that most of the affected control systems were

legacy

products that had

outdated firmware

. The company said it had previously advised supermarkets to update them.

The attacks come after President Emmanuel Macron ordered last month that the country's critical infrastructure be protected from Russian

hybrid attacks

. Yes. Attacks like these have been reported in other parts of Europe and in the United States.