November 3, 2026, 3:33 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
Cyberattacks on networked refrigeration systems are now causing problems in German supermarkets as well. Attackers can apparently manipulate the temperature remotely, potentially leading to all food needing to be discarded.
First Cases in Germany
In October, hackers had already manipulated the refrigeration systems of hundreds of supermarkets in France. Now, similar cases are occurring in Germany. At a CAP market in Wuppertal, the cooling system became too warm after unauthorized access. A CAP branch in Wetter-Volmarstein and a Rewe market in Raesfeld also reported issues.
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A particularly notable incident occurred at an Edeka market in Reisbach, Bavaria. There, the refrigeration system was suddenly set to 50 degrees on the night of November 2, according to Bayerischer Rundfunk. Such manipulations can spoil large quantities of food, which then must be discarded.
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Hackers Use Remote Access to Refrigeration Technology
Apparently, the perpetrators access the systems’ controls via the internet. According to the Belgian refrigeration company Sabcobel, attackers activated the defrost function, which is normally used to remove ice from the system but also causes the temperature to rise.
Other European countries are reporting similar incidents. Affected locations include branches in Luxembourg and Ireland. Additional reports have come from Sweden, the Netherlands, Italy, and Portugal. In many cases, food had to be discarded due to the increased temperatures.
How Extensive Is the Damage in Germany?
It is not yet known how many supermarkets in Germany have been affected by the attacks. Authorities also do not yet know the extent of the damages incurred. Additionally, it remains unclear who is behind the attacks and whether the individual incidents are connected.
According to the French cybersecurity agency CERT-FR, systems are particularly at risk if their operators connect the controls directly to the internet. Older systems without current security updates also pose an additional risk. The Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) also warns of further attacks. It recommends that operators shield their refrigeration systems from direct internet access, protect remote access, and quickly install available security updates.