Cyberattack on cooling systems may have affected more than 12 European countries

Stores in at least twelve European countries appear to have been affected by the cyberattack on refrigeration systems that took place overnight from Sunday to Monday. Supermarkets in Italy, Romania, and Germany, among other countries, are now also reported to be affected.

France may also be affected

In addition to the previously mentioned countries— Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Sweden, Estonia, Ireland, and Finland—stores in Denmark, Germany, Italy, Romania, and Portugal are also reported to have felt the effects of the cyberattack on refrigeration systems. The update was reported on X by GeoInsider, a platform that analyzes online news coverage. According to GeoInsider, France may also have been affected, but this has not yet been confirmed.

Hackers managed to infiltrate the operating systems of refrigeration systems and were able to activate the defrost function, causing temperatures to rise and rendering the food unsellable. Following the large-scale hack in France three weeks ago, many retailers did implement updates and adjustments, which helped limit the damage overall; however, a number of older or poorly secured systems were still compromised. In Belgium, 76 stores were affected; in the Netherlands, 17; and in other countries, the numbers are reportedly even lower.

The perpetrators and their motives remain a mystery. Meanwhile, most of the affected retailers report that all stores are operating normally again and are being restocked.