Dozens of supermarkets in Belgium, Sweden, and Luxembourg have been impacted by a suspected cyberattack that raised the temperature of freezers to as high as 55 degrees Celsius, resulting in significant food spoilage. Approximately 40 Delhaize stores in Belgium and Luxembourg, several ICA and Coop locations in Sweden, and 13 SuperValu shops in Ireland were affected. One ICA store in Sjöbo, Sweden, reported temperatures reaching 50°C (122°F). Losses are estimated in the millions of euros, with one Delhaize branch in Hoeilaart, Belgium, reporting a loss of €100,000, not including further losses from closure. The attacks, which mirror similar incidents in France last month, appear to target refrigeration units by remotely activating defrost modes. Sabcobel, a refrigeration fitter in Belgium, estimates at least twenty units are affected across Belgium, impacting Delhaize, Carrefour, and Spar stores. ICA and Coop in Sweden report a small number of affected stores, while Carrefour states 15 of its Belgian stores were affected. Cybersecurity agencies in Belgium and Sweden are monitoring the situation. Ahold Delhaize is working to disconnect affected units and switch to secure internet connections, a measure taken by many following the French attacks. Stephan Moelans, CEO of a related company, stated physical modifications to units are required for full protection. The proliferation of AI agents is noted as a potential factor in the increase of cyber intrusions into the physical world, with a recent incident in South Korea involving AI-assisted data theft.
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