A cyberattack targeting a specific model of refrigerators has forced 13 Supervalu stores across Ireland to remove chilled and frozen products from sale as a precaution. The incident is affecting shops operated by Cork-based Musgrave Group, which is working closely with cybersecurity specialists to resolve the issue.
Attack Details and Response
The attack saw cybercriminals hack a specific model of refrigerators that is only used in certain supermarkets. As a result, products are now being removed from sale while staff work to address the problem.
A spokesman told CorkBeo: "As a precaution, chilled and frozen products in the affected stores have been removed from sale, and all other products remain available as normal."
Customer Safety Priority
The spokesman added: "Customer safety is our first priority, and customers can be confident that products on sale in our stores have been stored at safe temperatures. We are working closely with the suppliers of the affected refrigeration equipment and with cybersecurity specialists to resolve the issue and restore normal operations as quickly as possible."
Wider Cyberattack Impact
Supermarkets in France were also hit by a cyberattack last month, affecting hundreds of stores and leading to significant quantities of food being thrown away. Shops in Belgium and Sweden have also been affected, with hackers targeting Dutch company Delhaize and ICA and Coop stores in Sweden.
Similarly to previous attacks, hackers raised the temperature of the online-controlled refrigerators to 50C, compromising food likely worth millions of euros. In Belgium, the attack was first noticed on Sunday night, with affected supermarkets including Delhaize, Carrefour and Spar.
