VLAN

FBI and Partner Agencies Urge Supermarkets to Disconnect Refrigeration Systems from the Internet

The FBI, alongside CISA and multiple U.S. departments, has issued an urgent advisory directing supermarkets and other organizations using refrigeration systems to immediately remove these installations from internet access. The warning follows successful attacks on European supermarket cooling systems that were left publicly reachable, used default passwords, and lacked critical security updates. Attackers altered temperature settings, forcing stores to discard large quantities of perishable food. The agencies highlight risks including shortened equipment lifespan, potential fires, and consumer illness from spoiled products. Recommended actions include isolating control systems behind firewalls, creating dedicated VLANs for OT environments, replacing default credentials with strong unique passwords, applying patches without delay, and monitoring for suspicious activity.