Portugal was among several European countries reportedly targeted in a cyberattack on supermarket refrigeration systems, although no known incidents have been reported in the country.
According to CNN Portugal, cybersecurity expert Félix Aimé, from Sekoia Threat Detection and Research, confirmed that Portugal, Spain, Poland, Germany and Belgium were among the countries targeted.
The incident, which occurred overnight on Sunday, primarily affected supermarkets in France, where hackers reportedly gained remote access to refrigeration controls, causing temperatures in refrigerators and freezers to rise dramatically.
Around 150 Intermarché stores, 80 Carrefour supermarkets and approximately 25 Monoprix outlets were affected, forcing retailers to dispose of significant quantities of fresh and frozen food.
French authorities have launched an investigation into the attack, which reportedly exploited vulnerabilities in internet-connected refrigeration management systems.
The company said affected equipment was running outdated firmware and stressed the importance of keeping systems updated.
Separately, supermarket groups in Belgium and the Netherlands reported cybersecurity incidents affecting digital services, although a connection with the French attacks has not been established.
The incident highlights the growing importance of cybersecurity in supermarket operations, particularly as retailers increasingly rely on remotely managed equipment and interconnected digital systems.
Sources: CNN Portugal/Distribuicaohoje.com
Inês Lopes
Newspaper editor at The Portugal Resident