News by Levels · Level 1 · Student worksheet

Attacks Make Shop Fridges Warmer

In this lesson: Connect a cyberattack with a physical effect and distinguish known damage from an unknown cause.

Name: __________________________ Date: __________________

Read the story

Some food shops in Europe had problems with their fridges and freezers on November 2. The cooling machines became warmer after cyberattacks. Some food was spoiled.

Shops in countries including Sweden, Belgium and Ireland reported problems. In Ireland, the SuperValu chain said 13 of its stores were affected.

The attacks followed an earlier incident involving fridges in France. Officials are investigating who was responsible and why.

Source: Sky News, 2026-11-02. https://news.sky.com/story/hackers-target-refrigerators-in-ireland-and-european-countries-in-new-wave-of-cyber-attacks-13607013

Read and practise

1. What happened to the cooling machines after the attacks?

   1. They became warmer.
   2. They became colder than usual.
   3. They stayed at their usual temperatures.

2. What were officials still investigating?

   1. Whether any stores reported a cooling problem
   2. Who was responsible and why
   3. Whether some food had spoiled

Your turn

Explain how an attack on a computer-connected system affected food in shops.

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Read online: https://newsbylevels.com/news/europe-supermarket-fridge-freezer-cyberattacks-november-2026/level-1/