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Global Chaos: Windows 10 Users Hit by Massive Outages Due to Crowdstrike Update “A recent Crowdstrike update has caused widespread disruptions, leaving Windows 10 users stranded on the recovery screen. The issue has resulted in significant outages affecting various sectors worldwide, including airports, businesses, financial institutions, and government agencies, with reports indicating a substantial impact on global operations.” Article: https://lnkd.in/dvvvqb-Z #CrowdStrikeUpdate #CrowStrike #ITOutage #Windows10 #Vulnerabilities #CyberSecurity

Is your organisation still relying on outdated Windows operating systems? Ok, nobody uses Windows 95 anymore but you get the point! It's time to address the risks. Despite the evolution of Windows OS since 1985, many businesses are stuck in the past, leaving themselves vulnerable to cyber threats. Official figures from the UK Government show that cybersecurity breaches remain a significant concern, with outdated systems among the top culprits. But why do organisations cling to old tech? Here are some common reasons: Legacy software compatibility: older systems may be necessary to support custom or proprietary software, creating compatibility challenges with newer operating system versions and hardware upgrades. Budget constraints: upgrading IT infrastructure can be costly, from software licenses to staff training. But the expense of a breach far outweighs the cost of prevention. Risk concerns: fear of disruptions and data loss during migration may lead some to resist upgrading, but the risk of cyberattacks on outdated systems is real and costly. The challenges of migration: migrating to a new operating system isn't simple. It requires accuracy, downtime, and staff training, but the benefits of enhanced security are worth the effort. While old systems may seem cost-effective and familiar, they come with significant security vulnerabilities, performance issues, and compliance risks. It's time to balance legacy needs with modern security demands. We can help you to upgrade your systems and adopt a cloud migration strategy for a secure and efficient future. #CyberSecurity #WindowsUpgrade

https://lnkd.in/dKN26PJU As usual, good analysis of Kevin Beamon: "Customers should demand their vendors: - Provide more transparency about how endpoint security updates are tested and rolled back. - Disclose where they have potentially risky interactions with the Windows kernel, and develop a roadmap to safer drivers. - Provide more transparency around their own security, including a promise to disclose all security incidents impacting the managed platforms promptly, so customers can make an informed choice about temporarily suspending connectivity - Disclose, in advance, if they are subject to national security laws in their regions of operation, which could allow access to customer data. When a bad update is published, a promise of a report with full transparency explaining what happened, why it happened, and steps taken to remediate it in the future."

Is your organisation still relying on outdated Windows operating systems? Ok, nobody uses Windows 95 anymore but you get the point! It's time to address the risks. Despite the evolution of Windows OS since 1985, many businesses are stuck in the past, leaving themselves vulnerable to cyber threats. Official figures from the UK Government show that cybersecurity breaches remain a significant concern, with outdated systems among the top culprits. But why do organisations cling to old tech? Here are some common reasons: Legacy software compatibility: older systems may be necessary to support custom or proprietary software, creating compatibility challenges with newer operating system versions and hardware upgrades. Budget constraints: upgrading IT infrastructure can be costly, from software licenses to staff training. But the expense of a breach far outweighs the cost of prevention. Risk concerns: fear of disruptions and data loss during migration may lead some to resist upgrading, but the risk of cyberattacks on outdated systems is real and costly. The challenges of migration: migrating to a new operating system isn't simple. It requires accuracy, downtime, and staff training, but the benefits of enhanced security are worth the effort. While old systems may seem cost-effective and familiar, they come with significant security vulnerabilities, performance issues, and compliance risks. It's time to balance legacy needs with modern security demands. We can help you to upgrade your systems and adopt a cloud migration strategy for a secure and efficient future. #CyberSecurity #WindowsUpgrade

Widespread Outages! Faulty CrowdStrike Update Crashes Windows Systems Businesses around the world were left scrambling yesterday as a faulty update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike caused widespread crashes on Windows workstations and servers. This blog post dives into the details of this incident,offers tips to prevent similar disruptions in the future, and provides recovery steps for impacted systems. CrowdStrike Update Gone Wrong On July 19th, 2024, CrowdStrike unintentionally pushed out a defective update for its Falcon sensor, a core component of their endpoint security solution. This update contained a bug that caused a critical system error, leading to a "blue screen of death" (BSOD) on affected Windows machines. The Domino Effect: Global Disruption The faulty update triggered a cascading effect, causing numerous organizations to experience system outages. Reports indicate that airports, hospitals, TV stations, and emergency services were among those impacted. This incident highlights the potential consequences of security software malfunctions and the importance of robust disaster recovery plans. Cause of the Crash: Unintended Bug CrowdStrike has confirmed that the issue was caused by a bug in the update, not a malicious cyberattack. They have since identified the faulty component, rolled back the update, and released a fix. However, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential pitfalls of automated updates. Read More: https://lnkd.in/gfdwz3bv #CrowdStrike #WindowsCrash #Cybersecurity #TechAlert #cyberalert #SystemOutage

If you have a windows 11 computer or tablet, you might be affected by the "blue screen of death" outage which has affected airports, hospitals, emergency services, the telephone network, the internet and other critical infrastructure in the US and elsewhere. If you use an older version of Windows you should be OK but over the next few days I will be posting tips& tricks on how to solve the problem! #cybersecurity #infosec #Windows11 #CrowdStrike https://lnkd.in/ghzvtK3Z

Imagine you've installed a new deadbolt lock for your house (Crowdstrike update). It's supposed to keep you safe, but accidentally jams the entire door shut (Windows crashes). That's what happened today (19 July 2024) with a security update from Crowdstrike causing widespread IT problems on Windows machines. Crowdstrike protects businesses from cyberattacks, but this incident highlights the potential downside of updates. They're crucial, but unforeseen glitches can disrupt operations. Crowdstrike will need to regain user trust by ensuring future updates are rigorously tested. Since Windows is the dominant business operating system, the faulty Crowdstrike update had a ripple effect. Businesses relying on both for security and functionality were significantly impacted. This is a reminder of why robust compatibility testing between security solutions and popular operating systems is essential. Both Microsoft and Crowdstrike are working on a fix. Stay tuned for official updates and mitigation strategies. It's also a good reminder to have backup plans for unforeseen IT emergencies, and to continually test those backup plans, just like having a spare key for your house! #Cybersecurity #WindowsOutage #ITResilience

Huge Microsoft Outage Linked to CrowdStrike Takes Down Computers Around the World Cybersecurity software like CrowdStrike’s has broad privileges to run across a computer system, including into sensitive areas. That means when errors occur, the ripple effect can be significant. CrowdStrike updates its security software automatically and silently. It seems that a flawed update on Friday morning, of its Falcon Sensor software, resulted in crashes of machines running Microsoft Windows operating system and caused the worldwide chaos. The incident, so far, appears to only be impacting devices running Windows and not other operating systems. The CrowdStrike update that was issued and says the file isn’t properly formatted and “causes Windows to crash every time.” Beaumont says, in further posts, that it appears there isn’t an automated way to fix the issues, at least currently. Brody Nisbet, the director of overwatch at CrowdStrike, also posted on X indicating the workaround fix the company had issued involves booting up Windows machines into safe mode, finding a file called “C-00000291*.sys,” deleting it, and then rebooting the machine normally. 

The Great Windows Reboot: A Security Update or a Marketing Opportunity? The internet nearly ground to a halt yesterday with a global IT outage. While initial panic ensued, the culprit turned out to be a faulty update from cybersecurity giant CrowdStrike impacting primarily Windows machines. This, however, presents a golden opportunity for businesses to re-evaluate their IT infrastructure and enhance their cybersecurity posture. Why This Matters to Your Business? The outage exposed a critical truth: most businesses are overly reliant on a single operating system. This creates a vulnerability that could be disastrous in the event of a real cyberattack. Security Doesn't Have to Mean Sacrifice. We all know Windows. It's user-friendly, has a vast software library, and runs like clockwork for most tasks. But let's face it, security hasn't always been its strongest suit. The good news? You don't have to ditch the familiarity and functionality of Windows entirely. The Future is Multi-Platform This is a wake-up call for businesses to diversify their IT infrastructure. Consider incorporating Linux or Mac workstations for tasks requiring enhanced security. Don't worry, transitioning doesn't have to be a nightmare. With the right partner, you can seamlessly integrate these platforms while maximizing existing Windows functionality. Investing in Resilience is Investing in Growth The CrowdStrike outage may have caused temporary disruption, but it also highlighted a crucial opportunity. By prioritizing a multi-platform approach and robust security measures, you're not just safeguarding your data – you're building resilience and future-proofing your business. #CrowdStrikeUpdate #SecurityFirst #MultiPlatformSolutions #Cybersecurity #WindowsSecurity #ITResilience

Active Directory (AD), a Microsoft Windows directory service, helps maintain a robust security perimeter within enterprise environments. It helps your business enforce security policies, assign permissions and mitigate security risks within the network. Let’s say your business’s IT infrastructure is a fortress, wherein AD acts as the gatekeeper controlling who enters and what they have access to. Just like a fortress, your IT kingdom needs strong overall security to safeguard your valuable digital assets like data, applications and IT systems. But what if your gatekeeper (AD) is compromised?