On Friday the 19th, Kiwis faced the repercussions of a global tech outage. Originating from a Windows routine software update pushed out by CrowdStrike, a U.S. cyber security technology company. Basically, the update that was pushed out attempted to do something Windows couldn’t process due to it having problematic content. CrowdStrike later stated they have a “content validator” that would usually review software before launch, eliminating a situation like this happening. However, unfortunately due to the presence of a software bug, the program completely overlooked the problematic content resulting in Friday’s absolute chaos!
What was affected in New Zealand?
Many things were affected by the tech outage on Friday. Some continued to a have a flow on effect throughout the following weekend. Credit, debit card and contactless payment methods went offline. Supermarkets experienced effects on their online order and delivery systems. Both emergency and health services were disrupted with call-taking and ambulance dispatch facing minor impacts. As well as this, flights were delayed and cancelled due to problems with bookings, check-in and the issuing of boarding passes.
These are just some of the more notable effects of Friday’s tech outage.
Our tips for being better prepared for a ‘next time’
Although there isn’t much you can do about global tech issues like these, you can ensure you are better prepared should they happen again in the future. Which is always a possibility, due to causes such as human error (everyone makes mistakes), hardware failures, malware or virus attacks and more.
Keep cash on hand
In the event of a tech outage, those with cash on hand were undoubtedly better off than those without. Even though debit cards continued to work manually, those with only credit cards and/or digital cards found themselves in a difficult situation. Additionally, those who needed to access their internet banking for transfers were in a bit of a bind. Therefore, it’s worth keeping some emergency cash on hand as a back up plan.
Don’t become reliant on PayWave
During the tech outage, contactless payments were also disrupted. This left many Kiwis scrambling to remember their debit card details! With the convenience of PayWave and digital cards being available on our devices, we’ve become overly reliant on contactless technology. As a result, we often forget our card PINs when we need them most. To avoid this, it’s a good idea to occasionally use your cards chip. This way you’re not left scratching your head if you’re amidst any tech outages again.
Watch out for aftermath scams
Global tech outages can be a major inconvenience but also prime opportunities for scammers. Scammers may exploit the situation with hotfixes (a software update that is released outside the normal update cycle) containing viruses or malware, banking scams, and phishing attempts. So, in the wake of a tech outage, we’d strongly advise avoiding emails or messages claiming to be from companies. Instead, visit the company’s official website to check for updates.
Don’t panic
Tech outages can be frustrating and often occur at the most inconvenient times. Our most important tip for managing them is to stay calm. These issues are usually resolved quickly, so there’s no need to panic. Remember, you’re not alone—everyone else is likely facing the same or similar difficulties as you, so we’re all in this together!
If you need further assistance or advice on staying safe and secure online, don’t hesitate to give Geeks on Wheels a call. We’re here to help you stay connected and be prepared for whatever the digital world throws at you!
