Hackers Strike European Supermarkets Again, Spoiling Millions in Food

Original article here

Hackers have again hit supermarkets across Europe, remotely switching internet-connected freezers to defrost and destroying millions of euros’ worth of food.

More than 100 supermarkets and food suppliers were affected in Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Ireland, Finland, Luxembourg and Estonia. Chains hit included Carrefour, EDEKA, Spar, Intermarché, ICA Group, Colruyt, Axfood, Delhaize and IKEA.

The attack began late Sunday night. Freezers that normally run below zero were pushed as high as 50 degrees Celsius, or 122 degrees Fahrenheit. A few cases were caught quickly, but most were not, leaving large amounts of food unfit to eat. Some stores rushed frozen goods into refrigerated trucks, while others brought in dumpsters and called staff in overnight to clear the shelves.

EU Agriculture and Food Commissioner Christophe Hansen called the attacks a deliberate attempt to sabotage Europe’s food supply and shake public confidence. The European Union says it will investigate. No one has been identified as responsible.

Stephan Moelans, CEO of fridge maker Sabcobel, told the BBC his company is working around the clock to disconnect affected units from the internet, and that many will need physical changes, not just software updates. “The simplest solution is to manage the fridges over a secure internet connection,” he said.

In Britain, a small number of meat suppliers were hit for the first time, according to trade publication The Grocer. Tony Goodger of the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers said British firms appear to have been “collateral” in an attack aimed at European supermarkets. His group has reported the incidents to the National Cyber Security Centre and is weighing whether anti-meat activists could be behind them. The NCSC has urged food companies to update fridge and freezer software immediately, The Times reported.

An earlier wave hit more than 700 supermarkets, mostly in France, by exploiting outdated smart fridge software. The Pentagon is also investigating whether refrigeration failures affecting U.S. troops’ meals were sabotage.