Britain's cyber chief confirms hackers have hit UK supermarket freezers after Europe-wide attacks and backs calls to stockpile
Empty refrigerated counters inside an Auchan supermarket in Olsztyn, Poland, as Sweden's national cyber-security centre confirmed it was working multiple cases simultaneously following the overnight attacks.Seven European countries were struck overnight by hackers who remotely cranked supermarket freezer temperatures to 50C, following an almost identical attack on up to 700 French supermarkets last month that triggered fires and food losses running into tens of millions of euros.
Dr Richard Horne, head of the National Cyber Security Centre, confirmed that hackers have exploited "vulnerable technology" at a handful of UK organisations, with some meat suppliers already discarding spoiled stock. The NCSC worked through the night alerting businesses to exposed systems, warning that AI in the hands of adversaries now makes outdated infrastructure dangerously easy to target. Horne backed existing government advice to stockpile essentials, telling listeners: "It's your life, choose wisely."
Refrigeration units across Europe were driven to peaks of 55C, with hundreds of stores affected in a single night.
Before seizing control of thermostats, hackers knocked out temperature alarms, meaning store managers had no warning until food had already spoiled.
Technology executives in Estonia and Belgium say the latest attack carries the "same signature" as a similar strike weeks ago.
