Dozens of supermarkets in Sweden and Belgium have been targeted in cyberattacks that caused freezer systems to overheat and spoiled food worth millions of euros.
On Monday, freezer temperatures at ICA and Coop stores in Sweden rose as high as 55°C. Supermarkets belonging to the Ahold Delhaize group were also affected in Belgium. The reported wave extends to Luxembourg, although the available information does not specify which establishments were targeted there.
The incidents occurred several weeks after hundreds of supermarkets in France suffered similar attacks. In that case, the temperature of one refrigeration unit reportedly reached 80°C.
Experts have repeatedly warned that cyberattacks can damage critical infrastructure, including power plants and food retailers. They have linked the vulnerability of these systems to weak cybersecurity and the use of outdated software.
No government authority has so far indicated what type of entity may be behind the attacks.
Sources: La Vanguardia.