Global IT outage affects daily life

If you’ve been having trouble with your media, banking, and flight apps, don’t rush to blame your network provider. A worldwide glitch has hit several industries, with the airline industry bearing the brunt of it. So, if you’re flying today, we recommend getting to the airport a bit earlier and keeping a close eye on updates from your airline.

This outage occurred on Friday and is linked to Microsoft’s apps and services. It has also affected users of Microsoft’s Azure and Office365 services around the globe. The first reports of the problem came in around 18:00 ET on Thursday, or midnight CET on Friday.

Early reports suggest that the IT glitch was caused by an update to antivirus software from global security firm, CrowdStrike. This has resulted in computers and phones becoming “bricked”, or unable to function properly due to corrupted software.

Over on Reddit, users in the CrowdStrike community have been sharing what seems to be a company advisory. They’re suggesting that the issue is related to something called the Falcon Sensor, which is a tool from CrowdStrike that helps keep your device safe from threats.

CrowdStrike has acknowledged that customers are experiencing repeated instances of the Blue Screen of Death (BSODs) and are unable to reboot their devices. If you’re not familiar with the term, the Blue Screen of Death is a full-screen error that appears on Windows devices when there’s a serious problem, usually forcing a restart.

So, if your device has been acting up, showing you a blue screen, it could be due to this issue. But don’t worry, the tech experts at CrowdStrike are on the case. So, hang tight as they work to resolve this issue. Stay tuned for updates!

What can you Do?

While the tech experts at CrowdStrike are working hard to resolve this issue, there are a few things you can do to keep your digital life running smoothly:

Stay informed: Keep an eye on updates from CrowdStrike and Microsoft. They’ll likely be the first to announce when the issue has been resolved.

Use alternatives: If possible, try using alternative apps and services that aren’t affected by the outage. This could be a good time to explore other options that you might not have considered before.

Backup your data: If you haven’t already, now might be a good time to backup your data. This can help prevent any potential loss if problems persist.

Stay secure: While CrowdStrike works on a fix, ensure your device’s security by not downloading any suspicious files or visiting untrusted websites.

Remember, this is a global issue affecting many users. You’re not alone, and help is on the way!