Unprecedented hacker attack causes millionaire losses to more than 500 supermarkets in France

The attack spoiled food and damaged refrigerators and freezers. Some equipment even caught fire - which triggered the fire system, causing flooding inside the stores. Across France, losses are estimated at millions of euros.

The cybercrime agency opened an investigation. Experts explained that, nowadays, household appliances, such as refrigerators and freezers, use computer programs connected to the internet and are therefore exposed to intrusions. According to a manufacturer of these programs, some devices are obsolete and can no longer receive security updates.

The cyber attack against supermarkets in France is unprecedented. The government is in contact with other European authorities. At least five more countries would have been hit.

In September, President Emmanuel Macron ordered increased security in France's critical infrastructure to protect it against possible hybrid attacks from Russia. So far, no one has claimed cyber intrusion into supermarkets.