Reverberations from yesterday’s massive computer disruption caused by a bug in a software security update continue to be felt this morning worldwide.
Airports, banks, media outlets, grocery stores, government offices and internet service were all affected by the system crash.
In Austin, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles was forced to close its offices Friday.
Texas Military Department reported they were not affected by the outage because they primarily use Starlink, a satellite internet subsidiary of SpaceX owned by Elon Musk.
The Texas Department of Transportation said that none of its public-facing systems were affected by the outage. TxDOT did not specify whether its internal systems were affected.
Flights in and out of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport have largely returned to normal with only a few disruptions, mainly with Delta Airlines.
Windows terminals across the country experienced the “blue screens of death” (BSOD) rendering them inoperable. This was due to the cybersecurity firm CyberStrike’s attempt at updating its software. A bug in that update is reportedly what caused the meltdown of computer systems worldwide. The company was quick to claim it was not a cyberattack.
CyberStrike’s founder and CEO, George Kurtz issued the following statement…
I want to sincerely apologize directly to all of you for today’s outage. All of CrowdStrike understands the gravity and impact of the situation. We quickly identified the issue and deployed a fix, allowing us to focus diligently on restoring customer systems as our highest priority.
The outage was caused by a defect found in a Falcon content update for Windows hosts. Mac and Linux hosts are not impacted. This was not a cyberattack.
We are working closely with impacted customers and partners to ensure that all systems are restored, so you can deliver the services your customers rely on.
CrowdStrike, founded in 2011, made Austin its official headquarters in 2021 to meet requirements for the SEC.
What to know about CyberStrike. (KXAN-TV)
The outage highlighted the dependency on technology for everyday business. (KVUE-TV)
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, has died at the age of 74 after a battle with cancer, her family announced on Friday. (NBC News)
A second US Congressman from Texas has called for President Biden to step aside in his quest for reelection. (Austin American-Statesman)
A man with ties to Austin is on the Texas “most wanted” list. (KVUE-TV)
A Cedar Park man is going to federal prison for illegal firearms sales. (Fox7 Austin)
Inside the Texas crime lab that has cracked hundreds of cold cases. (Texas Monthly)
The Austin Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect involved in a robbery at a Family Dollar store on Airport Boulevard back on May 28. (Brenham Banner)
A survey about Austin’s Animal Service Office is open for public input through Aug. 14, part of ongoing changes at the animal services department and the Austin Animal Center, after a 2023 audit report detailed issues like operational shortfalls and divisions between city staff, residents and animal advocates. (Community Impact)
Austin Wildlife Rescue is housing baby birds injured and orphaned by Hurricane Beryl. (Austin American-Statesman)
Where did the “ATX” sign go on 5th and Lamar?
The unemployment rate in the Austin-Round Rock metro area increased slightly from May, 2024 to June, 2024. (KXAN-TV)
A new podcast has launched in Austin that will feature conversations about “politics, technology, food, culture, sports, news and more.” (KXAN-TV)
According to a new report, Austin ranks second in “the least-stressed cities in Texas”. San Antonio didn’t fare as well. (MySanAntonio)
Austin’s Paramount Theater celebrates fifty years of its Summer Classic Film Series.
Actor Glenn Powell, who resides in Austin and is starring in the current hit film “Twisters”, is returning to UT to finish his degree. (Austin American-Statesman)
The Texas Rangers were hammered with home runs by the Baltimore Orioles last night at Globe Life Field, 9-1. (Major League Baseball)
Meanwhile, the Houston Astros traveled west to face AL West-leading Seattle in the first game of a weekend series. After defeating the Mariners 3-0 last night, the Astros are now atop the standings.
Could the Austin-San Antonio region get an MLB expansion franchise? (Austin American-Statesman)
Austin FC is back in action tonight at Q2 Stadium to face Charlotte. (Austin FC)
Meanwhile, Austin FC fans misfire with a pregame aerial display. (Austin Chronicle)
They’re world famous. They are the bats under the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin.
