European cyber chief warns of attacks on household appliances
EU cybersecurity chief Juhan Lepassaar has warned that internet-connected home appliances are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks. This follows reports of a large-scale hacking operation targeting refrigeration systems across Europe, including in the Netherlands, which authorities have linked to groups in Iran.
Juhan Lepassaar, the head of the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity, has warned that internet-connected household appliances face an increasing risk of cyberattacks. Items such as smart televisions, thermostats, and routers are vulnerable entry points that require manufacturers to prioritize better security measures. Lepassaar emphasized that while comprehensive protection is possible, it demands significant financial investment to secure the region's digital infrastructure against potential threats from sophisticated actors.
This warning arrives after French officials linked the Iranian group Shahid Kaveh, allegedly connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, to a recent wave of attacks that compromised supermarket refrigeration systems across twelve European countries. In the Netherlands, several major supermarkets as well as local butchers and small shops were affected by these hacks. While Lepassaar refrained from commenting on specific allegations, he noted that intelligence confirms hackers from countries like Iran and Russia are actively targeting European interests, prompting ongoing criminal investigations and legal actions in France.
Based on reporting by nu. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.
