Hackers took over French retailers' smart fridges using weak passwords

Criminals took control of smart fridges at French retailers, and the head of France's cyber security agency says the cause was simple. In remarks reported by the Financial Times, the official pointed to weak passwords and a lack of protection, calling them basic security flaws rather than the work of advanced hackers.

What happened

According to the report, attackers were able to seize control of systems because they were poorly protected. Passwords were weak, and other basic safeguards were missing. The agency chief did not describe a clever new attack. The message was that the doors were left easy to open.

Why a fridge matters

A smart fridge is a fridge connected to the internet, often so staff can monitor it from afar. That connection is also a possible way in for attackers. Any device linked to the internet, even a fridge, can become a path into a company's wider systems if it is not secured.

What is not known yet

The material available does not say which retailers were hit, how many fridges were affected, or what the attackers did once they had control. It also does not give dates for the break-ins or say whether any customer data or stock was harmed. Those details have not been confirmed here.

What to do

The lesson applies to any business with connected equipment, from fridges to cameras to thermostats.

• Change any default or simple password on connected devices.
• Use a different strong password for each device.
• Keep device software updated.
• Keep a list of every connected device you own.