If hackers can take control of a supermarket freezer, how vulnerable is other tech?

Supermarkets across Europe have been hit by a suspected cyber-attack affecting their fridges and freezers, and raising concern about the vulnerabilities of internet-connected hardware from industrial machinery to humble domestic appliances.

Smart devices which are connected to the internet can include fridges, central heating, and even washing machines.

And while that makes them easier to control remotely, in theory, any device which goes online can potentially be exploited by malicious actors.

However, that doesn't mean hackers can easily take control of it, and big brands generally go to great lengths to make sure their tech is secure.

Exploits have been found before in some devices. In 2015, researchers demonstrated how a vulnerability in a Samsung smart fridge could allow them to intercept internet traffic.

But there's no evidence domestic appliances are being targeted in the cyber-attacks which targeted supermarkets in November.

Ciaran Martin, former chief executive of the UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) says manufacturers needed to do more to make connected devices secure.

"There's a lot more that we need to demand of big tech to give us safer devices and products in the first place," he said.

He advised consumers to keep devices updated and enable multi-factor authentication wherever possible.

"I know it's a pain, but it only takes a few seconds," he said.

Since April 2024, UK law has required manufacturers of certain consumer smart devices to meet minimum cyber security standards, including requirements around passwords and security updates.

The NCSC said it was working with international partners and industry to understand the supermarket incidents, but it was unaware of any impact on the UK.

However, researchers from UK Cyber Defence have identified more than 800 refrigeration and building-control interfaces associated with British retailers that can be accessed over the public internet.

That doesn't necessarily mean they can be hacked, but it could leave them exposed to attackers exploiting weak passwords or software vulnerabilities.

The government has already held talks with senior food retailers about cyber resilience, following earlier attacks on supermarkets.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, has said cyber incidents are a major concern for retailers, with businesses working alongside the NCSC to share intelligence and strengthen their defences.

It would not be the first time that hacks have raised concern about impact on food supply.

When UK supermarkets M&S and the Co-op were targeted by ransomware hackers in May 2025, the retailers struggled to stock some shop shelves with fresh deliveries.

Customers across the UK complained of empty shelves in the days following the attack.

Tom Hegel, a researcher at cyber-security firm SentinelOne, said retailers must be clearer about responsibility.

"The question retailers need to answer is who owns the security of that equipment, not just who repairs it," he said.

He said internet connectivity can make everyday technology more convenient, but security needed to keep pace.

"Once an attacker can operate those controls, legitimate functions such as defrosting become tools for disruption," he said.

"Changing a setting can destroy physical stock, not just interrupt a computer system."

Could cars, power plants and water supplies be vulnerable?

Outside of the home, connected tech is used to remotely manage industrial machinery and vehicles.

Cyber security expert Ken Munro pointed to a 2015 demonstration in which researchers remotely hacked a Jeep through its internet-connected entertainment system, prompting improvements in vehicle security.

"Fortunately, the vehicle industry woke up to this and fixed the problem," he said.

Mobile connections are also widely used to monitor equipment in power plants and water networks, allowing engineers to manage systems remotely.

Munro said UK utilities were generally good at securing these connections, but standards varied around the world.

His biggest concern was smaller, poorly funded utility companies which may still be relying on older, vulnerable equipment.

Without proper protections, "any factory or equipment" connected to the internet - ranging from carmakers to electricity or transport infrastructure - could face similar risks, said Olivier Daloy, a cybersecurity expert at Zscaler.