Elding chief says customers need not fear appliance hackers

Hermann Winther, chief executive of appliance retailer Elding, says customers have no reason to worry about similar hacker attacks after freezer and refrigeration systems at retail businesses were targeted, KVF reports.

Winther said Elding had recently received more questions about whether appliances have Wi-Fi. The company sells refrigerators, freezers and other household appliances, including products that can connect to the internet.

He said the appliances come from well-known brands such as Samsung, Apple and Miele, which invest heavily in cybersecurity. Internet connectivity is optional in most cases, and devices generally are not connected unless customers choose to connect them.

Connected appliances can use apps to send maintenance reminders, such as when a filter needs replacing. They can also alert users if a freezer’s temperature is outside the normal range or if it has short-circuited, potentially allowing food to be saved before it is damaged.

Elding also sells appliances that cannot connect to the internet. Winther said that in most cases, appliances continue to work without an internet connection.