Cyber Experts Warn US Utilities of Trojan Horse Threat After 100F French Freezer Hack
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 18
Cyber Experts Warn US Utilities of Trojan Horse Threat After 100F French Freezer Hack
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 18
Summary
Hundreds of French supermarket freezers were remotely pushed above 100 degrees Fahrenheit overnight, causing millions of dollars in spoilage and prompting warnings that similar attacks could hit U.S. utilities and food systems.
John Walsh of IGEL said the bigger risk is legacy operational technology—often 15 to 20 years old—that remains online because operators avoid costly shutdowns needed for upgrades and security fixes.
Walsh argued utilities should shift from trying to keep attackers out to building resilience, assuming intruders may already be inside and limiting the "blast radius" if a dormant Trojan horse is activated.
The warning extends beyond grocery chains to water, wastewater, oil, pharmaceuticals and the power grid, with Walsh citing a 2026 coordinated attack on Minnesota water systems as evidence of U.S. exposure.
He said recent incidents in France, the U.S. and the UK suggest adversaries may be rehearsing methods on real targets, increasing pressure for stronger governance and mandatory protections across critical infrastructure.