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A global failure in Microsoft Windows systems, potentially linked to a CrowdStrike software update, has disrupted critical services worldwide, causing widespread outages in banks, airlines, and other sectors.
The outage began late on July 18 and continued into the next day, affecting various critical services globally, including emergency services, banks, airports, and broadcasters. According to a Forbes report, the disruption appears to be connected to CrowdStrike’s cybersecurity software, leaving many institutions struggling with significant operational challenges.
Microsoft acknowledged the issue in a post on X on July 18 at 11:41 pm UTC, stating that it was investigating a problem “impacting users’ ability to access various Microsoft 365 apps and services.” By 7:55 am UTC, Microsoft reported “improvements in availability” as it continued to troubleshoot the problem.
The banking sector has been particularly hard hit by this Windows failure. Online banking services have been severely disrupted, with customers worldwide experiencing issues logging in and performing transactions. Downdetector, a service outage tracking website, reported a significant increase in disruptions to banking services.
In the United Kingdom, customers attempting to log into two major banks found themselves unable to access their accounts, causing widespread frustration and anxiety. Similar issues were reported in banks across the United States, Australia, and India, underscoring the global impact of the disruption.
Airlines have also been affected by the outage, leading to grounded flights and disrupted schedules. Passengers faced delays and cancellations as systems used for bookings, check-ins, and flight operations experienced failures.
Microsoft’s latest update indicated that it was making progress in restoring services but acknowledged that many services were still experiencing issues. The company continues to work on resolving the problem to minimize further disruptions.
The incident highlights the vulnerabilities in relying on centralized software systems and the cascading effects that such failures can have on critical infrastructure and services worldwide. As Microsoft and affected institutions work to restore normalcy, the event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust cybersecurity measures and contingency planning.
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