Security researchers find leak in thousands of ‘smart’ fridges and freezers

Security researchers have managed to penetrate the systems of refrigerators and freezers that can be adjusted remotely. This makes it possible, for example, to have the freezers defrosted and products to spoil.

These are systems made by the company Resource Data Management, reports TechCrunch. The tech website spoke to one of the security researchers who found the vulnerability. It turns out that it is possible to log in to the refrigerators and freezers remotely via a standard URL, which, according to the researchers, is quite easy to find. Although the webpage in question is secured, in many cases the default password can be used to gain access.

About seven thousand refrigerators and freezers were found that could be read and manipulated remotely. These are industrial devices that are used, for example, in shops or restaurants. Hackers can therefore cause major damage, for example by defrosting products in freezers.

Resource Data Management responded to the report by stating that it advises customers to change the default password. The company points out that this is the responsibility of the users of the refrigerators and freezers.