A new wave of cyberattacks has disrupted refrigeration systems at dozens of supermarkets across Europe, with retailers removing chilled and frozen products from sale as a precaution. The incidents, reported on November 2, involved altered temperature settings and affected chains in Sweden, Belgium, Luxembourg, Ireland and Estonia.
- ICA in Sweden confirmed that a limited number of stores were affected, with at least four locations reported. At one store, freezer temperatures were reported to have been set to 50°C. ICA said it was supporting stores as they handled the incident.
- Coop in Sweden initially confirmed six affected stores. Staff began emptying refrigerated equipment while the company assessed the scale of losses.
- Delhaize, part of Ahold Delhaize, reported temperature-control problems at about 40 stores in Belgium and Luxembourg. The company said it had taken action to keep stores operating while it investigated.
- Carrefour said 15 stores in Belgium were affected, although it described the impact as very limited and said not every refrigerator at those locations was involved.
- Spar, part of Colruyt’s network, was reported by Belgian media to have five stores affected by refrigeration incidents.
- Intermarché was reported to have about 15 affected locations in Belgium. Stores in the chain had also been targeted in France.
- SuperValu in Ireland reported incidents at 13 stores and withdrew refrigerated and frozen goods as a precaution.
- Selver in Estonia confirmed one affected store. Attackers changed the setting to 50°C, but a rapid intervention limited the actual temperature increase to only a few degrees and prevented food losses.
The latest cases follow attacks on stores in France during October. Investigators have not identified the attackers or established whether the November incidents are connected to the earlier French campaign.
