A tech meltdown disrupted airlines, banks, hospitals and other services on Friday, July 19. Microsoft users reported suddenly finding themselves knocked offline, apparently due to a cybersecurity company, CrowdStrike, which had a routine software update malfunction, reports say.
Major airlines issued ground stops for flights due to the computer outages. A fix was released by Crowdstrike, but the damage was done and the implementation of the fix was taking time. “CrowdStrike is actively working with customers impacted by a defect found in a single content update for Windows hosts,” the company said in a statement. Those using Mac and Linux operating systems were not impacted, Crowdstrike said.
CrowdStrike said it was not a cyberattack, but a software glitch. Unfortunately for travelers, Delta Airlines, United Airlines and American Airlines grounded all flights temporarily while the fix was being implemented.