Pro-Russian hackers claim responsibility for attacks on refrigeration systems in European supermarkets
Two pro-Russian hacker groups have claimed responsibility for cyber attacks against cooling and freezing systems in European supermarkets. The Danish Centre for Cyber Security has warned that similar attacks could strike Denmark.
Pro-Russian hacker groups claim responsibility for attacks on supermarket refrigeration systems
Two pro-Russian hacker groups claimed on Thursday on social media platforms that they were behind a series of cyber attacks against cooling and freezing systems in European supermarkets. This has been reported by the Danish Centre for Cyber Security, which has closely monitored the attacks in cooperation with relevant authorities.
According to B.T., several supermarket chains began reporting problems with their refrigeration systems from Monday onwards.
"At this point in time, it is too early to say whether the two hacker groups have played a role," writes the Centre in a press release.
The Centre emphasises that similar attacks could hit Denmark, and urges authorities, companies and organisations to review the security of their refrigeration and freezing systems.
In parallel, the French regional bank Crédit Mutuel Arkéa reported a separate cyber attack involving transfers of approximately 747 million kroner — no one has yet claimed responsibility for this attack.
The situation must be seen in light of an escalated threat picture. The Danish Police Intelligence Service (PET) stated on 5 September that it is seeing concrete Russian planning and preparation of sabotage directed at Denmark. The Danish Defence Intelligence Service (FE) followed up in the same month with an assessment that Russia will intensify its hybrid warfare against the West in the coming months "with greater consequences for the affected countries than previously".
Against this background, the Danish Centre for Cyber Security raised the threat level for destructive cyber attacks against Denmark from "medium" to "high".
The Centre notes in general that pro-Russian hacker groups frequently claim responsibility for cyber attacks, and that the reporting itself can serve as a means to create insecurity and uncertainty in society.
Source: B.T.