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As several supermarkets across Europe suffered major damage from what is believed to be a cyberattack targeting refrigerators and freezers, concerns are growing about the vulnerabilities of internet-connected devices, from industrial machines to everyday home appliances.
Refrigerators, central heating systems, and even washing machines are connected to the Internet and operate as smart devices.
This makes remote control more convenient, but theoretically any device connected to the Internet can be a target of malicious attacks.
But that doesn't mean hackers can easily take over your devices, and large companies are generally working hard to secure their technology.
In fact, vulnerabilities have been discovered in some devices before in the past. In 2015, researchers demonstrated that Internet connections could be intercepted by exploiting vulnerabilities in Samsung smart refrigerators.
However, there was no evidence that home appliances were targeted in recent cyberattacks targeting supermarkets.
Ciaran Martin, former director of the UK's National Cyber Security Center (NCSC), emphasized that manufacturers should make more efforts to strengthen the security of devices connected to the Internet.
“(Consumers) need to be more rigorous in demanding that large technology companies strengthen the security of their devices and products from the beginning,” he explained.
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"I know it's annoying, but it only takes a few seconds," he said, adding that consumers should also keep their devices up to date and enable multi-factor authentication whenever possible.
Meanwhile, in the UK, from April 2024, relevant laws will require manufacturers of certain consumer smart devices to meet minimum cybersecurity standards, including password and security updates.
The NCSC said it was cooperating with overseas organizations and industry officials to determine the truth about this supermarket incident, but explained that no damage in the UK has been confirmed to date.
However, experts from UK Cyber Defense, a private cyber security company, confirmed that over 800 refrigeration and building control interfaces related to British retailers were accessible through the public Internet network.
This doesn't necessarily mean it can be hacked, but it can be the target of cyberattacks that exploit poor passwords or software vulnerabilities.
The UK government has already discussed cybersecurity issues with officials from major food retailers.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Council, said cyber incidents were a major concern for retailers and that companies were working with the NCSC to share information and strengthen their security systems.
Meanwhile, this is not the first time concerns have been raised about the impact of cyberattacks on the food supply.
In May 2025, British supermarket chains 'M&S' and 'Co-op' experienced difficulties in supplying fresh products to some stores due to a ransomware attack.
For several days at that time, customer complaints about empty shelves continued to rise across the UK.
Tom Hegel, a researcher at cybersecurity firm Sentinel One, advised that retailers need to be clearer about who they are responsible for.
“Retailers should be more concerned about who is responsible for securing the equipment rather than who will service it.”
He also emphasized that although Internet connectivity increases convenience in daily life, security must also be strengthened to keep pace.
“Once an attacker takes control, even normal functions such as defrosting can be exploited to cause chaos.”
“Changing the settings not only crashes your computer system, but can also damage the actual goods inside your device.”
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Are automobiles, power plants, water supply facilities, etc. also vulnerable?
Meanwhile, Internet of Things (IoT) technology is used not only at home but also to remotely manage industrial machines and vehicles.
Ken Munro, a cybersecurity expert, mentioned a demonstration that took place in 2015. At that time, researchers succeeded in remotely hacking a Jeep vehicle through an entertainment system connected to the Internet. It is said that vehicle security has improved through this.
“Fortunately, the auto industry recognized this problem and took action,” Monroe explained.
Also, in power plants and water networks, engineers manage equipment and systems remotely through wireless connections.
Munro pointed out that UK utilities generally manage their networks securely, but that security standards vary around the world.
His biggest concern is small, underfunded utilities that may still be relying on outdated and vulnerable equipment.
Olivier D'Aloy, a cybersecurity expert at security platform Zscaler, warned that without proper protection, "any plant or equipment" connected to the Internet, from car manufacturers to power and transportation infrastructure, could be exposed to similar risks.
