Greece Reports Supermarket Refrigeration Hack as 300 Systems Face Cybersecurity Risk

by · Greek City Times

A butcher’s 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.

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.

According to Greek media reports published on Tuesday, November 3, refrigeration equipment manufactured by Dixell was compromised at a butcher’s shop in Kifisia, in the northern suburbs of Athens.

Further details about the incident, including the extent of the damage and whether any food products were affected, have not yet been disclosed.

Read more: Hackers Hit Supermarket Freezers Across Europe as Greece Warns of Exposed Systems

The reported attack comes as Greece’s National Cybersecurity Authority warns that hundreds of industrial systems across the country remain exposed to potential cyber threats.

More than 300 systems exposed in Greece

On October 14, the National Cybersecurity Authority identified more than 300 industrial systems in Greece that were directly accessible through the public internet.

Most were controllers used in commercial refrigeration systems manufactured by Danfoss, Copeland/Dixell and Carel.

These devices regulate the temperature and operation of refrigeration equipment in supermarkets, warehouses, butcher shops, food-processing businesses and other facilities.

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.

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.

It also advised operators to change default passwords, install security updates and replace equipment that is no longer supported by manufacturers.

Hackers target supermarket refrigerators across Europe

The warning comes amid a series of cyber incidents affecting food retailers in several European countries.

On November 2, major supermarket operators reported problems with refrigeration systems across Belgium, Luxembourg, Sweden, Ireland and other European markets.

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.

In Belgium, around 40 Delhaize stores and approximately 15 Carrefour locations reported refrigeration problems. Five Colruyt-operated stores were also affected.

In Sweden, seven Coop stores reported problems, while ICA confirmed that a limited number of its locations had experienced an incident.

Irish wholesaler Musgrave also reported refrigeration problems at 13 SuperValu stores, forcing the removal of some chilled and frozen products from sale.

A Belgian butcher reported losses of approximately €15,000 after refrigeration temperatures rose to 18 degrees Celsius.

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.

Food safety becomes a growing concern

The attacks highlight the potential consequences of cybercrime beyond stolen information and disrupted computer networks.

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.

If refrigeration systems fail to maintain safe temperatures, businesses may be forced to discard large quantities of food to protect consumers.

The European incidents have already resulted in significant food losses, with retailers removing affected products from sale.

Older refrigeration software under scrutiny

Older software versions and outdated refrigeration controllers have emerged as a particular security concern.

France’s 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.

The agency subsequently updated its guidance, warning that cyberattack campaigns targeting these devices could still be ongoing.

It advised businesses to remove exposed equipment from the internet, secure remote access, update firmware and replace unsupported systems.

The reported incident in Kifisia adds another dimension to Greece’s cybersecurity concerns, highlighting how vulnerabilities in industrial equipment can potentially affect everyday businesses and the country’s food supply chain.

Source: Reuters, Greek media reports, CERT-FR and the National Cybersecurity Authority of Greece.

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