The current targets are in Ireland, Sweden, Belgium, Luxembourg and EstoniaThe US military is investigating similar issues affecting six US basesOver 400 French supermarkets were attacked in October 2026 In October 2026 hundreds of French supermarkets lost food worth millions of euros after a cyberattack turned their freezers up to 120F (50C) — and it looks like it's happening again, this time in other European countries. This time the targeted supermarkets include Supervalu, which is one of Ireland's biggest supermarket chains, as well as the Swedish retailers Axfood and ICO and big-name supermarkets in Belgium, Luxembourg and Estonia.While the targets are different the method appears to be the same, with remote access turning the freezers into heaters and spoiling their contents.According to one retailer on Facebook, ICA Kvantum Sjöbo, "What shouldn't have happened has happened!"So what's happening?What's happening to the supermarket freezersThis most recent attack follows in the footsteps of the French hack and the more recent Pentagon investigation into refrigeration issues in US military bases. It could well be exploiting a very simple vulnerability, which is that remote refrigeration management systems have weak authentication and "dangerous" software flaws. Certainly in the case of the French supermarkets the BBC reported that the affected units were "older models whose security software could not be updated to ward off a risk" that the manufacturer had identified.The French hack affected over 400 stores, and while the numbers aren't in yet the new hack is likely to reach three figures too.As we noted in our report on the Pentagon investigation, the "Internet of Things" makes it easier for companies to manage large groups of devices automatically and remotely, but it also opens up a new way for hackers to cause trouble — and if the software isn't secure enough or updated when new threats emerge, it effectively puts up a welcome sign for cybercriminals.The European Food Commissioner Christophe Hansen posted on X that "food security requires more attention at all levels. Because the weaponisation of food has become a reality." He's not wrong: whether they're being exploited by cybercriminals looking for an easy payday, tech troublemakers or nation states waging hybrid wars, it's clear that the Internet of Things needs to take security much more seriously. Thinking of buying a new TV?Try our TV size and model finder! You tell it how far you sit from your TV, we'll tell you what size to buy based on viewing angle advice from image quality experts, and we'll recommend our three top TVs at that size for different prices.

'Heartwood' is a wood-based gaming PC that took seven years to buildIt's stunningly neat, and the hidden trick is that it routes the cooling and other cables outside the PCThose pipes and cables run underneath the desk, which the PC is effectively built into, and down into the basement below, where the full cooling system residesFancy custom PC builds come along with some regularity, but every now and then something really unusual presents itself — and I'd class this as the smartest and neatest desktop computer I've ever seen.Wccftech spotted the rig in question, which was posted in the PC build subreddit by Mithiral67. The gaming PC is called 'Heartwood', and it took a rather incredible seven years to build.It's based on an Inwin 909 case (which looks impressive in itself in brushed aluminum) using a semi-open concept, with the motherboard sitting in an empty space (there's no rear panel with the build here, as you can see in the YouTube video below that shows off this PC).This desktop looks incredibly neat and slick decked out in wood and aluminum, with the nifty lighting in the top of the case too, but where's the cooling and other cabling? That's when the full extent of this build becomes clear, because it also includes the desk underneath the PC.(Image credit: Mithiral67 on Reddit)What the maker has done is route the liquid cooling and power cables down through the bottom of the case and the desk, with these running around the underside of the desk, and then down a leg into the floor, to the basement of the house, where all the water-cooling gubbins (built around a Mora 400) resides.Not only was this build a time-consuming labor of love, it was also a very costly one. Another Redditor enquires about the price of the materials, and according to Mithiral67 the wood itself was around $4,000 – and they said they didn't even want to get into the cost of the woodworking tools.As for the components, the PC is built on a Ryzen 9800X3D processor plus Nvidia RTX 5090 GPU.Waiting out the GPU pricing nightmaresSo, this was a pricey build, and a complex one, but even then, seven years seems like a very long time for putting the PC together — it means Mithiral67 started their project before the pandemic.What gives? Well, as they explain: "For those asking, 7 years was mostly waiting for a GPU at MSRP, literally took 4 generations to get lucky at Micro Center."There you have it. Those hoping to feature an RTX 5090 in their custom build are looking at paying an absolute fortune currently, of course, and getting the Nvidia flagship at list price now seems almost as miraculous a feat as the construction and thoughtful crafting witnessed with this PC.Mind you, even then Mithiral67 had to buy the RTX 5090 as part of a full PC to get it at the equivalent of the sticker price (which worked out fine, as it meant they could use that other PC for playing games while they painstakingly finished off the work of art that is 'Heartwood').(Image credit: Mithiral67 on Reddit)As one admiring Redditor summed up nicely: "This is genuinely the most beautiful setup I've seen, in every aspect from the choice of wood, color, design, and function."There's no shortage of commenters approving of the build, or indeed those pointing out that Sam Altman doubtless disapproves of the amount of RAM used in this desktop, too. Don't you know that's memory which could have powered another AI agent from a data center somewhere?

Lego Advent calendars might be the best type of Advent calendar there is. Behind each door you'll find a Lego character or mini build to complete. Unlike chocolate (gone in seconds), these daily treats stick around throughout the festive season and for years to come — Lego has also got creative with the boxes, transforming them into game boards or scenes where the behind-door builds can live, and turning them into a part of your seasonal decor.I've been holding off placing my order, but now is the time to take the plunge — the full range of 2026 calendars is discounted right now, with at least 20% off list price. And there's plenty of time for it to arrive before Advent begins. I'll be picking up the Lego City set, which the classic festive option and includes everything you need to make a Santa's workshop. However, there are also Marvel and Star Wars calendars (which put a Christmassy twist on your favorite characters), as well as Disney Princess and kid-focused Lego Friends sets.I've rounded up all your deal options below, as well as some bonus discounts on alternative festive Lego sets you might want to throw into your shopping trolley at the same time. Lego 2026 Advent calendar deals Lego City 2026 Advent Calendar 60510 Lego Marvel 2026 Advent Calendar 76340 Lego Star Wars 2026 Advent Calendar 75456 Lego Disney Princess 2026 Advent Calendar 43298 Lego Friends 2026 Advent Calendar 42698 More festive brick bargains Lego Botanicals Wreath, Festive Home Decor Set 10340 Lego Disney Frozen Olaf and Bruni's Picnic Fun Set 43287 Lego Ballerina and Nutcracker Scene 40701 Lego Snowman Ornaments 40812 Lego Gingerbread At-At Walker 40806 Lego Up-Scaled Santa Minifigure 40820 Lego Christmas Table Decoration 40743 Lego Creator Winter Holiday Train 40700 Lego Nutcracker 40640 Lego Wintertime Polar Bears 40571 Lego Icons Santa's Visit 10293

Applebee’s fixes mobile app flaw that exposed customer data through hardcoded database credentialsResearchers found access to personal information including names, contact details, birthdays, and account metadataNo evidence of abuse was found, but the incident highlights the persistent risk of hardcoded secrets in softwareApplebee’s has fixed a serious flaw in its mobile app that exposed sensitive customer information to pretty much anyone. Whether or not anyone malicious actually found this vulnerability and exploited it is not known at this time.The chain has an Android mobile app that allows customers to browse the menu, customize meals, place orders for delivery or pickup, save their favorites, or receive personalized food recommendations. A security researcher from What Security called Robert Wiggins, used AI to analyze the source code of the app and found a gaping hole - hardcoded credentials for a company database.Notifying the businessThe database contained plenty of sensitive information: customer names, their email addresses (both verified and unverified ones), dates of birth, phone numbers, ZIP codes, veteran status, the number of logins, dates of account creation, and the IP address of the most recent login session. We don’t know exactly how many people had their sensitive data exposed that way, but the app has more than a million downloads on the Google Play Store. Wiggins soon realized that there was no way to report the issue either to Applebee’s itself or to its parent company, Dine Brands, so he reached out to TechCrunch. The publication verified his claims by finding the exposed credentials itself, and even created a new entry which Wiggins was later able to extract, and also confirmed the credentials allowed users to modify database entries.TechCrunch managed to get ahold of Dine Brands, who plugged the hole and thanked everyone involved: “We appreciate TechCrunch and the security researcher for bringing this matter to our attention,” the company said. “Our security team promptly launched an investigation and has not currently found any evidence of unauthorized access.” “Our investigation is ongoing, and we will take appropriate steps based on our findings,” the company added. Hardcoded credentials are a very common mistake that sometimes has dire consequences. During production, software developers would leave login credentials inside the code to work faster, allowing the app to skip the tedious process of identifying every single time. However, the credentials are supposed to be temporary and are usually removed from the code before launch. Sometimes, though, the credentials don’t get spotted during final code review and end up in the live version. Crooks who scan the codes for vulnerabilities can then use the information for unauthorized access. A common errorUnfortunately, it is a very common problem. In March 2025, security researchers from Cybernews analyzed more than 156,000 iOS apps and found more than 815,000 hardcoded secrets, thousands of which were “very sensitive and could lead directly to breaches or data leaks.” It’s worth mentioning that in this case, a “secret” means more than just passwords - it also includes API keys and encryption keys. The average app's code exposed 5.2 secrets, and 71% of apps leak at least one secret, Cybernews reported at the time.A few months later, in July, HPE patched a similar bug in Aruba Instant On Access Points, and at roughly the same time, a similar flaw was found in Cisco’s Unified CM, enterprise-grade IP telephony call control platform providing voice, video, messaging, mobility, and presence services. The leaks continued in 2026 - in February, news broke of Chinese state-sponsored threat actors abusing hardcoded credentials found in Dell’s RecoverPoint for Virtual Machines.Applebee’s did not notify its customers about the incident, and it did not publicly disclose it on its website or social channels, at press time. Also, there are no indications that any threat actors exfiltrated this data or leaked it to the dark web.

AI innovation took center stage at IFA Berlin this year, with unprecedented solutions operating alongside vastly enhanced products powered by AI. Exhibitors showcased everything from advanced humanized assistants designed for daily chores to AI-driven robotic pets offering emotional companionship. It will take time for these products to be honed and readily available for consumers, but many innovations are already here. Hisense demonstrated its AI companion suite, which will transform user interaction while Miele’s flagship lineup highlighted the role AI, advanced sensors and connected systems can play in minimizing decision-making in daily tasks.While these products may be received well by tech loving audiences, not all consumers are convinced. When these products make it to market, brands and retailers are likely to be faced with cynicism, safety concerns and complexity-driven confusion. To overcome these challenges, innovators must consider the customer experience.Overcoming the information gapWhen it comes to big-ticket tech purchases, consumers want to understand what they are paying for. High spec products are increasingly complex, and many consumers do not have the technical know-how to understand the differences between products and the potential benefits of new AI-enabled features. In product descriptions and marketing campaigns, brands often prioritize the ‘cool factor’, focusing on innovative new features. While techy audiences take this in their stride, this often alienates consumers who are less confident in their knowledge. These audiences need straightforward explanations of what the product does, how AI or tech has been incorporated and how it can enhance their lives – but they are often hard to find. Unfortunately, some companies take advantage of limited understanding, slapping misleading ‘AI’ labels on their products, which ultimately do not deliver. This disappointment and negative word-of-mouth these customer experiences generate, along with high-profile hacking horror stories and broader concerns about data security, have impacted trust – and a lack of transparency and information only adds to the nagging feeling that companies have something to hide. Companies that are honest and open about how their products incorporate AI, the benefits these features offer and how data is used and stored, can start to rebuild trust and earn the respect of consumers. While exciting high-tech features remain an important marketing tool, a ‘back to basics’ approach that offers easy-to-find answers to common questions and addresses concerns in clear, accessible language can help consumers to understand if a product meets their needs and to feel more comfortable making a purchase.Consider all channels in the retail ecosystemAlthough discovery and research often take place online, more than four in five (85%) consumers prefer to buy electronics in-store. Bricks-and-mortar locations provide the opportunity to see or trial products in person, receive answers to unresolved questions and seek advice from sales assistants – and demand will only increase as products become more complex. While consumers may have a good idea of their preferred product when they enter a store, their decision can change quickly if the experience falls short of their expectations. When shoppers go into a store and cannot find anyone to assist them, they may abandon their purchase or feel undervalued. Despite the importance of the in-store experience, many tech brands are leaving a gap in the funnel. Once goods reach a physical store, the retailer is often trusted to convert intention into action. However, with physical retail coming under pressure due to rising operational costs, many are reducing headcount, which makes it harder for consumers to get the help and advice they came for.Lean into education and advocacyAs AI makes products more complex, availability of information and access to in-depth knowledge is becoming a necessity rather than a nice-to-have. When consumers are uncertain, sales will falter and there is a far higher risk of buyers’ remorse. Retailers must be equipped to convert the confusion of the average shopper into purchases, but training budgets are being cut alongside headcount, with in-person practical training being replaced by online learning. Digital updates can provide a solid foundation, but surface-level modules do not inspire teams’ confidence or build their ability to sell. Many retailers are unable to fund and provide the training required, but brands have an opportunity to step in. Brands with more complicated products should consider placing brand ambassadors in store or providing additional training to stockists’ staff to ensure that someone is on hand to answer challenging questions, reassure shoppers and help them find the model that will strike the best balance between their needs and their budget.Experience is make-or-break for tech brandsBrand equity and goodwill are vital for long-term commercial success. Negative experiences detract from trust in both the retailer and the brand, while positive interactions help to solidify it. Brands should monitor sales and reviews closely, identifying areas for improvement, and work closely with retail partners to address any potential issues at the point of sale. The cost of providing accurate, helpful information online or in-store is negligible, while the cost of ambassadors and training far outweighs the cost of potential failure and subsequent delisting of a brand and its products. Failure to offer in-depth details, expertise and advice can have a sizeable impact on the bottom line: making customers feel comfortable is the only way to ensure AI-enhanced products deliver the expected returns.We've listed the best online courses for learning Word, Excel, HTML, JavaScript, SQL and Python.This article was produced as part of TechRadar Pro Perspectives, our channel to feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today.The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/pro/perspectives-how-to-submit

If you picked up a new TV in the Black Friday sales or over Christmas and you're looking for the next piece to upgrade your home theater, then Sonos Beam is a great place to start. And, right now, you can get the excellent Sonos Beam (Gen 2) at Amazon for $369 (was $499).The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is our pick for the best mid-range Sonos soundbar – maybe a little hardcore for newbies, but a decent upgrade without as high a price tag as the premium Sonos Arc Ultra.It's especially worth considering if you don't have much space to spare, since its 26-inch long body can fit onto small TV stands and tables. Or, if you'd prefer a wall mount, you can get that for $50 extra.Today's best Sonos Beam soundbar dealThe Sonos Beam Gen 2 is the latest version of one of the best compact soundbars you can buy. In our review, we praised its "wide soundstage" and "hi-res audio compatibility" along with Dolby Atmos support for better surround sound. You can fit its 26-inch-long body onto most TV stands and tables, or you can buy a wall mount for $50 so that it doesn't sit on a surface at all.View DealIn our Sonos Beam (Gen 2) review, we gave it four out of five stars for its audio quality and how it builds on the design of the original Sonos Beam. It keeps the same compact size, upgrades to a faster processor, and adds Dolby Atmos audio and HDMI eARC.As a plus, it integrates well with other Sonos devices like the Sonos Sub and Sonos One speakers. Those changes come with a higher price tag, but this discount on the Gen 2 makes it a lot easier to stomach.Sonos has more than just the Sonos Beam to choose from. For more, look at the difference between the Sonos Ray and Sonos Beam (Gen 2) or explore more options in our guide to the best soundbars and speakers.