Recently, a widespread issue has paralyzed computers globally, initially mistaken for a cyber attack. Speculations pointed fingers at Microsoft, as only Windows systems seemed affected. However, the real culprit was CrowdStrike, a major cybersecurity firm renowned for its endpoint protection services, akin to antivirus for corporate fleets of computers. The problem stemmed from an automatic update pushed by CrowdStrike, designed to enhance security through its endpoint sensors. Unfortunately, a critical bug slipped into the update, causing affected computers—running CrowdStrike's software—to crash irreparably. Since the sensors operate at a deep system level, the glitch caused entire systems to enter a continuous cycle of crashes, known ominously as the "blue screen of death." CrowdStrike quickly acknowledged the issue and provided a fix, albeit a cumbersome one. Affected PCs must be manually booted into safe mode to remove specific files, a process that needs to be r...
I am a technology writer with a focus on cybersecurity. I cover topics such as malware, vulnerabilities, exploits, and security defenses, as well as research and innovation in information security.