FBI warns of cyber threats as Spain raises hybrid war fears

American investigators warn of growing cyber threats to essential services as bomb alerts reach British broadcasters and Spain’s Foreign Minister raises concerns about psychological warfare across Europe.

Passengers have faced flight diversions, television staff have been evacuated and businesses across Europe are being warned that hackers could interfere with equipment protecting food and medical supplies. Now the FBI has issued an international cybersecurity warning, while Spain’s Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, has suggested that the wave of disruption could be part of a wider campaign of hybrid aggression and psychological warfare. With Britain’s Sky among the broadcasters receiving threats on Friday, November 6, the concerns extend well beyond airports and computer networks.

FBI warns hackers could disrupt essential services

In an official warning issued on November 5, FBI Cyber Division chief Brett Leatherman urged businesses to strengthen security around industrial refrigeration and temperature monitoring systems used to protect food, medicine and other essential supplies. Investigators highlighted outdated equipment, exposed internet connections and unchanged factory passwords as weaknesses that could allow attackers to manipulate temperatures remotely, potentially destroying valuable stock and disrupting vital services.

The warning follows attacks already affecting European businesses and medical facilities, including the incident involving three French blood service sites previously covered in Euro Weekly News’ investigation into the blood bank cyberattack. Rather than focusing on that incident again, the FBI’s latest message is about prevention, urging organisations to restrict remote access, update vulnerable equipment and ensure temperature alarms can alert staff before serious damage occurs.

Bomb threats spread to British and European broadcasters

The cybersecurity warning comes as European authorities investigate a separate wave of bomb threats that has disrupted passenger flights and reached television stations. On Friday, Ireland’s RTÉ, Britain’s Sky and Bulgaria’s Nova TV received threats, prompting evacuations and security investigations. According to Reuters, RTÉ temporarily suspended normal programming, while the alerts followed several days of aviation disruption involving flight diversions and emergency security checks. No explosives were discovered in the reported incidents, and investigators have not established who was responsible.

Spain’s Foreign Minister raises fears of psychological warfare

Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares has raised the possibility that the bomb threats are part of something more deliberate. Speaking to Spanish broadcaster RTVE on November 6, he described the aviation alerts as a possible form of hybrid aggression and psychological warfare, suggesting that spreading fear and disrupting everyday life could be among the objectives. His remarks, reported by Reuters, come as European authorities investigate whether the incidents share a common origin.

The developments add urgency to concerns previously examined in Euro Weekly News’ report on hybrid warfare and security threats across Europe. However, the FBI has not established any connection between the refrigeration attacks and the bomb alerts, and investigators have not identified a government or organisation responsible for the wider incidents.

For people living in Britain, Spain and elsewhere in Europe, the immediate concern is how quickly everyday services can be disrupted, whether through hackers exploiting vulnerable technology or security threats that force authorities to take precautionary action. The FBI’s warning is a reminder that protecting essential infrastructure is no longer just a concern for governments and major corporations, but also for the businesses and services millions of people depend on every day.