CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity company, has issued an update that is causing widespread disruptions to its customers’ systems. The update, which was intended to improve the company’s antivirus software, has instead caused many computers to become unbootable or experience errors.

The issue is reportedly affecting multiple industries, including healthcare, finance, and transportation. Some airports have been forced to shut down their operations due to the outage.

CrowdStrike has acknowledged the problem and is working to resolve it as quickly as possible. In a statement, the company said that it was "aware of an issue with its antivirus software" and was "working to resolve the issue as soon as possible."

The US government’s cybersecurity agency, CISA, has also issued a warning about the outage, stating that malicious actors may try to take advantage of the situation by launching phishing attacks or other types of cyberattacks.

Rachel Tobac, a social engineering expert, has warned that criminals may attempt to use the IT outage as an opportunity to steal access, passwords, and codes. She advises people to verify the identity of individuals who claim to be from the IT department before taking any action.

Misinformation about the outage has already begun circulating on social media, with some people incorrectly believing that it was a cyberattack. TechCrunch is advising readers to check official sources for news and information.

Overall, the CrowdStrike update issue highlights the importance of proper testing and validation of software updates before they are deployed to customers’ systems. It also serves as a reminder of the potential risks associated with widespread disruptions to critical infrastructure, including transportation and healthcare services.

Here are some key points about the situation:

  • The outage is affecting multiple industries, including healthcare, finance, and transportation.
  • Some airports have been forced to shut down their operations due to the outage.
  • CrowdStrike has acknowledged the problem and is working to resolve it as quickly as possible.
  • CISA has issued a warning about the potential for malicious actors to take advantage of the situation.
  • Rachel Tobac, a social engineering expert, has warned that criminals may attempt to use the IT outage as an opportunity to steal access, passwords, and codes.