Subj : Southwest Airlines avoided CrowdStrike-Microsoft outage because i
To   : All
From : TechnologyDaily
Date : Sat Jul 27 2024 14:15:05

Southwest Airlines avoided CrowdStrike-Microsoft outage because its still 
running Windows 3.1  fourth-largest US airline remained free of BSoD errors 
because its OS hasn't been updated in decades

Date:
Sat, 27 Jul 2024 13:03:36 +0000

Description:
Southwest Airlines avoided CrowdStrike-Microsoft outage due to running 
Windows 3.1 and Windows 95.

FULL STORY
======================================================================

A recent global IT outage saw a problematic CrowdStrike update cause millions 
of Windows computers to fall foul of Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) errors 
worldwide, affecting airlines, hospitals, banks, and businesses. While 
thousands of flights by United, Delta, and American Airlines into and out of 
the US were canceled due to the failure, Southwest Airlines reportedly 
continued operations seemingly unaffected. 

The problem did not impact the airline in the same way it did its rivals, not 
because it was running Linux or employing a robust protection method, but 
because Southwest was still using Windows 3.1, which obviously never received 
the problematic CrowdStrike update. 

To give you an idea of just how outdated this operating system is, Windows 
3.1 was originally launched in 1992, and Microsoft ended support for it on 
December 31, 2001, except for the embedded version, which was officially 
retired in 2008. Windows 95 similarly unaffected 

 Toms Hardware reports while other airlines struggled with operational 
disruptions due to their reliance on more modern computing systems, 
Southwest's continued use of Windows 3.1 spared it from similar issues. The 
airlines outdated technology, often the subject of ridicule, ironically 
served as a buffer against the widespread system failures affecting others. 

Despite Southwests systems running just fine, other airports faced issues so 
that indirectly impacted the airline's operations, just not as much. 

Southwest isnt entirely reliant on Windows 3.1 (that would be ridiculous) as 
the airline also reportedly uses Windows 95 for staff scheduling, another OS 
that never received the problematic CrowdStrike update. 

Although running outdated software saved the day this time- or at least put 
the airline in a better position than its contemporaries - Southwest will 
eventually need to update its operating systems, as newer computers will 
struggle to run them. 

One X user suggested that the company switch to Windows XP because, while it 
also no longer receives updates, its newer (relatively speaking) and can run 
Windows 3.1 software in compatibility mode. More from TechRadar Pro 
CrowdStrike outlines just what went wrong with its update Cloud exploitation 
is up 95%. What should you do about it? Microsoft Teams was down in the big 
CrowdStrike outage  but bad news, it seems to be back up



======================================================================
Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/southwest-airlines-avoided-crowdstrike-
microsoft-outage-because-its-still-running-windows-31-fourth-largest-us-airlin
e-remained-free-of-bsod-errors-because-its-os-hasnt-been-updated-in-decades


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