A widespread global outage has disrupted operations across several major industries, including banks, airlines, telecommunications companies, TV and radio broadcasters, and supermarkets.
Major US Airlines Grounded
The outage has caused significant disruptions in the aviation sector, with major US airlines being forced to ground their flights. Passengers have been left stranded as airlines struggle to restore their systems.
Widespread Impact
The outage appears to be affecting Windows PCs globally, causing businesses to go offline. Users from various countries, including India, the United States, and New Zealand, have reported issues. The cyber security firm Crowdstrike’s subreddit has been flooded with reports from affected users.
Early Reports from Australia
Users in Australia were among the first to report problems early on Friday, stating they had been locked out of their workstations. This initial wave of reports has since expanded, revealing the true scale of the outage.
Businesses Hit Hard
Banks have been unable to process transactions, telecommunications companies are struggling with connectivity issues, and supermarkets have reported problems with their payment systems. TV and radio broadcasters are also experiencing disruptions, leading to a blackout of certain services.
Official Responses
As of now, there has been no official statement from Microsoft regarding the cause of the outage. Businesses are working to mitigate the impact and restore services as quickly as possible. The cyber security community is closely monitoring the situation to identify and address any potential vulnerabilities.
What Users Are Saying
Users on various platforms, including social media and forums, have been sharing their experiences and frustrations. Many have expressed concerns over the potential security implications of such a widespread outage.