Last week, Alex Pearce noticed something unusual at his fruit and vegetable wholesale business in London. The defrost lights on his refrigeration units were on, and the temperatures were soaring to 150°C. Pearce quickly unplugged the internet connection, suspecting a cyber-attack. His instincts were correct. Similar incidents were reported across Europe, with refrigerators and freezers in shops reaching up to 50°C (122°F). Pearce later reflected that if this had happened on a weekend, it could have led to a fire.
This attack was one of three significant cyber incidents in recent days. On 30 October, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, lost $6.3bn (£4.7bn) in a record heist. On 1 November, hackers targeted Ukraine’s emergency alert app, sending fake nuclear strike warnings to people in Kyiv. The head of the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), Richard Horne, warned that these incidents are just the beginning of a new hacking landscape, with AI technology exposing vulnerabilities in IT systems.
The NCSC highlighted that geopolitical tensions and AI advancements are driving these attacks. Experts suggest that the fridge attacks bear Russian hallmarks, while the Binance hack has been linked to North Korea. The NCSC also warned that AI-powered malicious software is likely to be used in attacks against critical infrastructure like power stations, airports, and hospitals by 2028. However, some experts downplay the severity, noting that similar waves of cyber-attacks have occurred in the past.
The fridge attacks targeted outdated systems that were no longer receiving security updates. Danfoss, one of the affected system providers, advised customers to install updates or replace obsolete software. The NCSC emphasized the need for manufacturers to invest in securing internet-connected devices and for consumers to keep their products updated. Pearce acknowledged the vulnerability in his fridge monitoring system, installed in 2018, and recognized the importance of being more mindful of such risks.