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French Blood Storage Hit by Freezer Hacks
Confirmed
In Short: French authorities say hackers targeted fridges storing blood donations, but no health impact has been reported.
The French Blood Establishment (EFS) confirmed that hackers targeted cold rooms storing blood donations, setting temperatures to rise but were thwarted by staff intervention.
Cyber-security researchers are examining evidence from 'honeypots'—digital decoys designed to lure hackers—to uncover clues about the culprits.
Three separate cyber-security firms have deployed fake freezer software traps to monitor hacker activity.
French authorities noted that fridges used in medical facilities were impacted, adding to the list of affected supermarkets where food had to be discarded due to temperature spikes.
Sekoia, a French cyber-defence firm, noted scanning activity prior to the attacks but dismissed it as possibly non-malicious.
No health impact has been identified, and no loss of blood products has been reported by the EFS.
What's confirmed
- The French Blood Establishment (EFS) confirmed that hackers targeted cold rooms storing blood donations, setting temperatures to rise but were thwarted by staff intervention.
- Cyber-security researchers are examining evidence from 'honeypots'—digital decoys designed to lure hackers—to uncover clues about the culprits.
- Three separate cyber-security firms have deployed fake freezer software traps to monitor hacker activity.
- French authorities noted that fridges used in medical facilities were impacted, adding to the list of affected supermarkets where food had to be discarded due to temperature spikes.
- Sekoia, a French cyber-defence firm, noted scanning activity prior to the attacks but dismissed it as possibly non-malicious.
- No health impact has been identified, and no loss of blood products has been reported by the EFS.
What's still developing
- In cyber-security, a "honeypot" is a digital decoy - such as a fake computer network or file - deliberately set up to look like a vulnerable target to lure and trap hackers.
- Cyber-security researchers at multiple firms are poring over evidence gathered from so-called "honeypots" to provide clues as to who is behind the waves of freezer hacks.
- Last month, as many as 700 French supermarkets had to throw out frozen and refrigerated food after a cyberattack caused cooler temperatures to reach 122°F.