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A butcher\u2019s shop near Athens has reportedly been hit by a cyberattack targeting refrigeration systems, raising fresh concerns about food safety after Greece identified more than 300 industrial refrigeration controllers exposed to the internet.<\/strong><\/p>\n Greece is facing growing cybersecurity concerns following a wave of attacks targeting commercial refrigeration systems across Europe, with reports now indicating that hackers have also struck a business in the country.<\/p>\n According to Greek media reports published on Tuesday, November 3, refrigeration equipment manufactured by Dixell was compromised at a butcher\u2019s shop in Kifisia, in the northern suburbs of Athens.<\/p>\n Further details about the incident, including the extent of the damage and whether any food products were affected, have not yet been disclosed.<\/p>\n Read more: Hackers Hit Supermarket Freezers Across Europe as Greece Warns of Exposed Systems<\/p>\n The reported attack comes as Greece\u2019s National Cybersecurity Authority warns that hundreds of industrial systems across the country remain exposed to potential cyber threats.<\/p>\n On October 14, the National Cybersecurity Authority identified more than 300 industrial systems in Greece that were directly accessible through the public internet.<\/p>\n Most were controllers used in commercial refrigeration systems manufactured by Danfoss, Copeland\/Dixell and Carel.<\/p>\n These devices regulate the temperature and operation of refrigeration equipment in supermarkets, warehouses, butcher shops, food-processing businesses and other facilities.<\/p>\n Authorities stressed that internet exposure does not automatically mean a system has been compromised. However, unsecured access could allow hackers to interfere with equipment settings and potentially disrupt the refrigeration process.<\/p>\n The authority recommended that businesses immediately remove these systems from the public internet and allow remote access only through secure VPN connections and multi-factor authentication.<\/p>\n It also advised operators to change default passwords, install security updates and replace equipment that is no longer supported by manufacturers.<\/p>\n The warning comes amid a series of cyber incidents affecting food retailers in several European countries.<\/p>\n On November 2, major supermarket operators reported problems with refrigeration systems across Belgium, Luxembourg, Sweden, Ireland and other European markets.<\/p>\n According to Reuters, the incidents affected more than 100 retail stores, with hackers allegedly manipulating refrigeration controls and causing temperatures to rise inside refrigerators and freezers.<\/p>\n In Belgium, around 40 Delhaize stores and approximately 15 Carrefour locations reported refrigeration problems. Five Colruyt-operated stores were also affected.<\/p>\n In Sweden, seven Coop stores reported problems, while ICA confirmed that a limited number of its locations had experienced an incident.<\/p>\n Irish wholesaler Musgrave also reported refrigeration problems at 13 SuperValu stores, forcing the removal of some chilled and frozen products from sale.<\/p>\n A Belgian butcher reported losses of approximately \u20ac15,000 after refrigeration temperatures rose to 18 degrees Celsius.<\/p>\n The latest incidents follow a similar cyberattack in France in October, when refrigeration systems were reportedly manipulated, with temperatures reaching as high as 50 degrees Celsius in some cases.<\/p>\n The attacks highlight the potential consequences of cybercrime beyond stolen information and disrupted computer networks.<\/p>\n By gaining access to refrigeration controllers, hackers can potentially interfere with the temperatures needed to safely store meat, dairy products, frozen foods and other perishable goods.<\/p>\n If refrigeration systems fail to maintain safe temperatures, businesses may be forced to discard large quantities of food to protect consumers.<\/p>\n The European incidents have already resulted in significant food losses, with retailers removing affected products from sale.<\/p>\n Older software versions and outdated refrigeration controllers have emerged as a particular security concern.<\/p>\n France\u2019s national cybersecurity agency, CERT-FR, issued an alert on October 12 warning of multiple compromises involving remote refrigeration controllers manufactured by Danfoss, Copeland and Dixell.<\/p>\n The agency subsequently updated its guidance, warning that cyberattack campaigns targeting these devices could still be ongoing.<\/p>\n It advised businesses to remove exposed equipment from the internet, secure remote access, update firmware and replace unsupported systems.<\/p>\n The reported incident in Kifisia adds another dimension to Greece\u2019s cybersecurity concerns, highlighting how vulnerabilities in industrial equipment can potentially affect everyday businesses and the country\u2019s food supply chain.<\/p>\n Source: Reuters, Greek media reports, CERT-FR and the National Cybersecurity Authority of Greece.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\nMore than 300 systems exposed in Greece<\/h2>\n
Hackers target supermarket refrigerators across Europe<\/h2>\n
Food safety becomes a growing concern<\/h2>\n
Older refrigeration software under scrutiny<\/h2>\n