Uncool! Hacking refrigerators is a hint of threats to come

Employees empty perishable goods from freezers at a supermarket in Sjoebo, Sweden, on Monday after a hacker attack on refrigeration systems that affected several countries in Europe. | AFP-JIJI

Nov 4, 2026

Last week, Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange, revealed that it had been robbed of $6.36 billion, the largest hack in history. North Korea is accused of orchestrating the theft.

About the same time, Reuters reported that the Pentagon is investigating a possible hack of refrigerators on six military bases. I am more worried about the freezers than the finance. That is a hack of the Internet of Things (IoT), an example of how vulnerabilities in mundane devices littered across our daily lives can become national security threats. Spoiled food a national emergency: You scoff? Let me explain.

Last month, some 700 supermarket chains and food retailers across France reported problems with their refrigeration systems. Temperatures were raised to defrost items; food was spoiled and in some cases equipment caught fire. Losses reached into the millions of euros. Authorities believe it was done remotely. A Dutch chain was hacked at the same time as the French companies but it is unclear if the cases are linked.

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