Windows PCs around the world are experiencing crashes due to an issue with CrowdStrike’s Falcon Sensor software. CrowdStrike is a cybersecurity company that offers software designed to prevent cyber attacks. The company recently issued a warning to its users, stating that Windows systems are experiencing a bugcheck/blue screen error related to the Falcon Sensor. Although the company rolled back the update that caused the issue, many machines are still affected.
It’s important to note that this issue only affects Windows machines, while Mac and Linux computers are unaffected. CrowdStrike has been working closely with Microsoft to resolve the issue, but it’s worth mentioning that CrowdStrike doesn’t have a direct relationship with Microsoft. However, CrowdStrike is a popular cybersecurity company, especially for large businesses and institutions, and it runs on many Windows machines.
The blue screen of death is a critical error that halts the computer’s operations and displays an error report on a blue screen. This error is often associated with Windows PCs.
The issue with CrowdStrike’s software has caused widespread outages across various platforms, including Amazon Web Services, Microsoft 365, Azure, Instagram, eBay, Visa, and AT&T. Banks such as Chase, Wells Fargo, TD Bank, and US Bank have also experienced issues. The problem has even grounded airlines like Delta, American, RyanAir, and United Airlines due to communication problems related to the outage. Sky News was unable to broadcast live TV, and electronic payment systems in some supermarkets were down as well.
For users experiencing issues with CrowdStrike software, it is recommended to report the problem to their system administrator and wait for resolution. CrowdStrike has assured users that their engineers are aware of the issue and actively working on it. Users can visit CrowdStrike’s Support Portal for further assistance or join the discussion on Reddit.
Fixing the issue is not always straightforward, as many affected systems crash right after booting up, resulting in an endless boot loop. Manual application of the fix is necessary for each affected system, which can take hours in large companies. CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz stated that the issues could persist for some time, and Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella acknowledged the problem and is working with CrowdStrike to bring systems back online.
In conclusion, the widespread crashes caused by CrowdStrike’s Falcon Sensor software have impacted various platforms and industries. Both CrowdStrike and Microsoft are actively working to resolve the issue, but the manual application of the fix may result in a longer resolution time for some systems.