Supermarket Freezer Attacks Across Europe: What Is It And Could India Face A Similar Food Safety Threat?

Supermarket Freezer Attacks Across Europe (Credits: X)

A supermarket freezer is supposed to keep food safe, but hackers have now found a way to turn these essential appliances into potential food safety hazards. Supermarkets across several European countries have reported cyberattacks on their refrigeration systems, with temperatures in some freezers reportedly shooting up to 50°C, forcing retailers to discard large quantities of fresh and frozen food.

The latest incidents, reported on November 2, have affected supermarkets in Belgium, Sweden, Estonia, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Finland and Ireland. The attacks follow a similar incident in France on October 12, when hundreds of supermarket outlets were affected. French authorities reported that around 700 sites had been impacted, while retailers were forced to throw away food that could no longer be considered safe.

But what exactly are supermarket freezer attacks, and could something similar happen in India?

Unlike conventional cyberattacks that target computers, customer information or financial data, these incidents involve hackers gaining access to the digital systems that control physical refrigeration equipment. Modern supermarkets often use internet-connected refrigeration management systems to monitor temperatures, operate cooling units and manage automatic defrost cycles. If these systems have outdated software, weak passwords or unsecured remote access…

Original source: https://www.timesnownews.com/lifestyle