This global Microsoft Outage

[SSpratt]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cnk4jdwp49et

Any worries? It is chaos out there by the look of the news.

My experience is that I’m not able to work today and had trouble using my debit card this morning. The transaction eventually went through but it’s not showing on my account.

DP got booked on another flight out of Schipol but that has now been cancelled. They’re handing out info about hotels. He thinks he will book a hotel and try again tomorrow when hopefully things have settled down. I know it’s stupid in the grand scheme of things but I am so upset - he’s been away a fortnight and I was so looking forward to him getting home!

Is your patch dry?

Ok keep telling yourself that.

1. Centralised system.
2. The always online structure.

One of the other issues is legacy systems, as in old versions of operating systems. I wouldn't put the idea past some massive organisations still using Windows 3.1 for their backbone. On the other hand, the irony of those companies using old tech likely aren't prone to these issues. Newer isn't always better, it's sometimes a lot worse.

They do, but they require that the computer can at least boot up and connect to the network. In this particular case the PCs aren't booting so the server can't connect to them to tell them to rollback.

It's affected quite a few things for me personally; I didnt have cash on my person this morning so had to leave the shop empty handed. Trying to book shifts (I'm a bank NHS worker) - couldn't as the booking system is down. Unable to book my grans GP appt for her as their booking system is down.

None of it was a really big deal for me, I just popped home and got some cash for the shop, I can browse and book shifts when it's up and running, same with the GP appt. I can imagine it's caused other people/businesses quite a bit of inconvenience though. As a pp has said, it highlights the need for a back up plan.

On a slightly less serious note, we were on holiday last week in North Yorkshire. I was joking to DH that the Russians just need to scramble everyone's satnavs to cause global chaos. Then again, having to dig the motoring atlas out might be inconvenient, but at least we'd be able to chat, listen to music etc. without the robot lady interrupting with "At the roundabout, take the third exit onto B3570...."

Out of interest, what's your experience and expertise in the IT security industry?

I'm WFH and can't connect to the VPN. I can receive and respond to emails so I'm focusing on that but I can't access any of my case files (solicitor) or raise any bills. It's a bit of a pain as I'm having a busy spell and needed today to get things done but I can't complain. Hearing about the NHS not being able to access medical records put it in perspective.

Luckily I'm an old gimmer and always keep some cash so I can tootle down to Tesco later if I can't place an online order.

Son is apoplectic as his new girlfriend (lives abroad) is coming to stay tomorrow and he's panicking that her plane will be cancelled.

Also outsourcing to save money. If you don't want to spend the money, you should expect cheap, unreliable crap.

It only affected systems run on Microsoft, not Linux or Apple. So in this case I do believe it was caused by incompetence or poor/no testing.

The points made about keeping cash as an option and of having some level of food stock at home I think are well made.

On another note, if systems are down, how would this affects flights which are mid air? Air traffic control etc?

GPS jamming is a definite thing. Russia's been doing it around Ukraine.

I’m in a cafe and can pay on my card ok.

but I’m Trying to amend my Sainsburys order and I’m not getting the security code by email which I need

We’ve been told by the solicitors that they’re not experiencing any problems currently. Just waiting for funds to reach our solicitors 🤞🏼🤞🏼

I think there’s a procedure for landing them “manually “. But guess it’ll take longer as they need longer gaps between planes.

@GoldieLocks09 fingers crossed for you 🙏💕💐 good luck in your new home 🏡

Sorry to hear that..

Not sure If KLM are involved but it does look they are one of the operators most affected by the outage, some others are still getting away relatively unscathed though often with delays down to manual processing of things such as boarding cards.

https://nltimes.nl/2024/07/19/klm-halts-flights-due-worldwide-windows-outage

Step 1 - you have in house IT
Step 2 - some new manager looks at how much in-house IT costs, goes golfing with some outsourcer, and decrees that outsourcing will save money as well as being more flexible and resilient
Step 3 - everything gets outsourced
Step 4 - users start noticing that service is poor, outages are widespread, customisation is harder, and prices are going through the roof
Step 5 - Some new manager looks at how much they're paying for outsourced IT, goes golfing with some hardware supplier, and decrees that doing it in-house will save money as well as being more reactive and resilient
Step 6 - go to Step 1

It's a cycle that's been going on since the 1970s.

😂 You must live in a very worried, scared little world.

I’m in a technical team at an affected company, and this is what we’re doing to fix the affected machines.

I have been been doing admin and meetings (via Teams) all morning. I haven't experienced any issues with any MS related software so far.

I can remember asking a question a while ago on here about how susceptible the cloud was to hacking or simply breaking in some manner and how vulnerable we are. My DH keeps laughing at my stocks of water, tinned food, cash, batteries, water purifying tablets and wind up torch, radio and solar charger…..

We are very vulnerable everything relies of technology- once again we can see how vulnerable that technology is.

No it is because you probably don't use two factor authentication to log on so someone cracked your password.

I’m totally baffled as to why I’m being chided for saying people should keep cash to buy perishable essentials and/or fuel. Neither of which can be stored long term.

I’ve not heard of the aircraft handling side of ATC being affected.

Ironically the flight tracking sites are still “up”, at least on some devices, and approach spacing into places like Heathrow looks perfectly normal to my eye.