Tag: Microsoft

How a simple software update from CrowdStrike completely shattered the internet, explained

This is some legit Y2K stuff

The phrase “break the internet” has become something that we hear over and over again. But rarely do we see the internet actually broken.

Well, folks. Today is one of those days. The internet is actually broken!

Chances are that, today, you or someone you know woke up this morning completely locked out of your computer. At the very least, even if you could log on, some of the core functions of your computer were probably cooked. You probably saw the Blue Screen of Death.

Don’t worry — it’s not something you did. This is happening to everybody with devices using Microsoft Windows software.

Chaos has taken hold of our digital society because of a simple software update from a company called CrowdStrike.

Don’t know what that is? Don’t worry. You’re not alone. That’s exactly what I’m here for. Here’s everything you need to know about Microsoft and CrowdStrike giving you a bit of a reprieve from work today.

What the heck is CrowdStrike?

(Photo by Jung Yeon-je / AFP)

Simply put, CrowdStrike is a cybersecurity company based in Austin, Texas. Many businesses use its software to shield their online presence from hackers.

The company uses a cloud-based solution it calls “Falcon” to constantly monitor and prevent security threats for the various companies that hire Crowdstrike.

It’s been effective in the past. It played a role in investigating the Sony Pictures hack in 2014 and the cyberattacks on the Democratic National Committee in 2015 and 2015.

Over the years, it has become one of the most well-known cybersecurity firms in the world, and many companies have grown to depend on it.

That’s precisely how we got here.

How did it break the internet?

At the center of everything happening today is a CrowdStrike update called Falcon Sensor, which is simply a program that scans computers for intrusions.

The update the company sent out contained code that caused computers running Microsoft Windows software to crash. So, technically, this is not a Microsoft issue  — it’s a CrowdStrike issue. Something included in the CrowdStrike code sent out is breaking Microsoft’s software.

Now, let’s bring some numbers in. CrowdStrike has around 29,000 customers in over 170 countries, according to CBS News. Now, think about how ubiquitous Windows is. Microsoft data says that at least 1.4 billion devices used Windows 10 or 11 as their operating systems in 2022.

When you think about those numbers, you realize just how destabilizing this simple mistake from CrowdStrike actually is.

What’s been impacted

(Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images)

Everything. Airlines, hospitals, banks, broadcast systems. Even your computers at home. Here’s more from the New York Times:

“The fallout was immediate and harmful. CrowdStrike and Microsoft underpin many major businesses. Airlines canceled flights and airports fell into chaos in the United States, Europe and Asia. In the United States, operators of 911 lines in multiple states could not respond to emergencies. Parts of Britain’s National Health Service reported problems. New driver’s licenses could not be issued in some areas. Some television broadcasters could not go on the air.”

Airports around the globe are legitimately on gridlock.

Blue screens are everywhere.

This is what people thought Y2K would look like when the century turned over. It’s incredible to witness.

So is this getting fixed?

The company is currently working on a fix. President George Kurtz posted this statement online, clarifying the incident and the work being done to resolve it.

In short, the company has identified an issue and deployed a fix. It’s just going to take time to get to everyone’s devices. After all, we are talking about billions of devices that need fixing.

CrowdStrike also posted a manual fix on its website. It’s a lot of work, though, so good luck with this.

Wait! Do I…Do I get a day off because of this?

Well, folks, some of you almost certainly will because this probably won’t be resolved by the end of business today.

Unfortunately, the answer for many of you will be no. Mac and Linus users, you’re totally good. Your software is unaffected whatsoever.

And, on top of that, Microsoft Outlook and Teams both still work!

Good luck convincing your boss that you need a day, though.

Microsoft is banning some third-party Xbox controllers soon

Microsoft is starting to block third-party Xbox controllers, giving users two weeks to find something else for their Series X|S

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If you use a third-party Xbox controller, there’s a good chance you might have to switch to something else soon. Microsoft is starting to block third-party Xbox controllers, though why software giant opted to ban third-party accessories is a bit of a mystery (thanks, The Verge).

The problem started showing up sporadically on Resetera, as users reported receiving an unusual message when they plugged in their controllers. 

“So I bought a third-party Hall Effect controller compatible with Xbox Series X/S and I plugged in the wireless dongle and it says come November Microsoft will be blocking ‘unauthorized accessories,’” one user wrote. “So now I’m returning the controller and my wife is going to open up our current controller and try and fix the stick drift.”

“Authorized” third-party controllers are those you’ll find in the “Designed for Xbox Hardware Program from some of the bigger names in third-party console accessories, including 8BitDo, Nacon, and Razer. The Verge speculates Microsoft wants to cut down on cheating from devices such as the Cronus Zen, though it leaves some players who just want an alternative to the official Xbox controller out in the cold. 

A common threat in Resetera comments is how less expensive third-party controllers offered a better alternative to the more expensive Xbox controller, which also tends to suffer from stick drift pretty frequently. It presents a problem for the fighting game community as well, a group that almost always uses third-party options that don’t come from the Xbox Partner program – and are usually more affordable.

“This is essentially a death sentence for local fighting game events that run on Xbox, much less, others that can only afford one arcade stick,” Maximillian Dood, a popular YouTuber and fighting game enthusiast, wrote on Twitter.

Microsoft made no official announcement about it, aside from a brief blurb on the Xbox support website.

“From the moment you connect an unauthorized accessory and receive error code 0x82d60002, you’ll have two weeks to use the accessory, after which time it will then be blocked from use with the console,” the note reads. At that time, you’ll receive error code 0x82d60003. We encourage you to contact the store or manufacturer where you obtained the accessory to get help with returning it.”

Written by Josh Broadwell on behalf of GLHF

Microsoft completes its $69 billion Activision Blizzard acquisition

Microsoft completed its $69 billion Activision Blizzard acquisition, over 18 months after first announcing the deal

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Microsoft completed its nearly $69 billion Activision-Blizzard acquisition following approval from U.K. regulators, over 18 months after first announcing the deal. The news comes as the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority reversed its stance on the acquisition’s anti-competitive nature and cleared the way for the deal to close. 

The European Union approved the deal with little hesitation, but the CMA originally blocked the deal over concerns about dampening innovation in cloud gaming. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission sued to stop the deal and the potential negative effects the buyout might have on innovation in the games space before approving it after weeks of hearings. 

CEO Bobby Kotick will remain in his position until the start of 2024 and report to Phil Spencer, after which Kotick will depart with a roughly $400 million payout from the deal.

Kotick remained company CEO following calls for his removal after allegations surfaced that he covered up evidence of sexual harassment at the company, and he reportedly led union-busting efforts in 2021 as Activision Blizzard employees organized a workers’ alliance.

Xbox head Phil Spencer told staff in an internal memo that Xbox management would share plans about integrating Activision Blizzard games into Xbox Game Pass. Meanwhile, Spencer will visit Activision Blizzard campuses in the coming weeks.

“Today, we officially welcome Activision Blizzard and their teams to Xbox,” Spencer said in a post on Xbox Wire. “They are the publishers of some of the most played and most beloved franchises in gaming history across console, PC and mobile. From Pitfall to Call of Duty, World of Warcraft to Overwatch, Candy Crush Saga to Farm Heroes Saga, their studios have pushed the boundaries of gaming for players around the world.”

“I’ve long admired the work of Activision, Blizzard, and King, and the impact they’ve had on gaming, entertainment, and pop culture.”

The Communication Workers of America published a statement saying they believe the deal will benefit workers, thanks to Microsoft’s neutral stance on labor.

“Microsoft President Brad Smith has said that he wants to make it ‘simpler, not more difficult’ for employees to choose whether to join a union, and the company’s actions show that they mean it,” the CWA said on their website for Activision Blizzard employees. “Microsoft has a legally binding agreement with CWA for a fair, streamlined process for union representation. Now is the time to join together at Microsoft/Activision Blizzard!”

Written by Josh Broadwell on behalf of GLHF

Microsoft and Porsche are giving away a limited-edition Xbox Series X

Porsche and Microsoft are teaming up and giving away a small number of limited-edition Xbox Series X consoles

Porsche and Microsoft are teaming up and giving away a small number of limited-edition Xbox Series X consoles based on some of Porsche’s iconic car designs. The Xbox Porsche collaboration is meant to celebrate the car maker’s 75th anniversary, including appearances in several racing games, with 75 consoles in development, though only six are being given away.

The sweepstakes is open now through Oct. 1, 2023, and you can enter by filling out a form on the giveaway’s website.

Entrants can submit one entry per day until the time the sweepstakes closes. A drawing will take place on Oct. 3, 2023, where the contest runners will draw six winners at random from the pool of eligible entry submissions. Winners will receive one of the 75 limited-edition Xbox consoles and a wireless controller.

The guidelines didn’t mention whether the controller matches the console design, though, so you might get something multicolored and fancy or just a plain black or white controller.

Which pattern you get seems to be random, though these are the ones up for grabs:

  • Salzburg (1970)
  • “Hippie” (1970)
  • “Pink Pig” (1971)
  • Porsche Racing Edition (1978)
  • 911 GT1 (1998)
  • 75th Anniversary / Porsche 963 (2023)

75 isn’t very many consoles, and six is even fewer, though considering you only need to enter your name and email – and be over 18 years of age – there’s really no harm in trying to get your hands on one.

Written by Josh Broadwell on behalf of GLHF

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Microsoft is raising Xbox Game Pass prices for console and Ultimate

Microsoft announced an increase in the Xbox Game Pass price for console and ultimate subscribers starting in July 2023

Microsoft announced an increase in the Xbox Game Pass price for console and ultimate subscribers (thanks, The Verge). The price change goes into effect on July 6, 2023, for anyone who isn’t a Game Pass subscriber, while current subscribers will start paying more on Aug. 13, 2023.

The console Game Pass price will increase from $9.99 to $10.99, while console ultimate subscribers will be paying $16.99 instead of $14.99. This increase marks the first time Xbox has raised the price of its subscription service since the platform launched in 2017.

“We’ve held on our prices for consoles for many years and have adjusted the prices to reflect the competitive conditions in each market,” Kari Perez, Xbox’s head of communications, told The Verge. “These Game Pass price adjustments are not related to the Activision Blizzard deal, and are intended to match local market conditions.”

The news comes a few months after PlayStation raised the price of its consoles in countries outside the United States, after which Xbox said it wouldn’t be raising the price of its products – for the time being. Console prices are increasing in Europe and elsewhere, though for now, the cost of the Xbox Series X|S remains the same as when the consoles first released.

Written by Josh Broadwell on behalf of GLHF

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The FTC has filed an injunction against the Xbox-Activision deal

The FTC is reportedly preparing to file an injunction to block the Microsoft-Activision deal from closing before the August hearing date

Update: June 12, 2023

The FTC has filed its injunction against the Microsoft-Activision deal. Microsoft president Brad Smith issued a short statement in response.

“We welcome the opportunity to present our case in federal court,” Smith said in the statement that Microsoft provided to GLHF. “We believe accelerating the legal process in the U.S. will ultimately bring more choice and competition to the market.”

Original Story

The FTC is reportedly preparing to file an injunction to block the Microsoft-Activision deal from closing, a source familiar with the matter told CNBC. The injunction is intended to stop the deal before its intended July 18, 2023, closing date and ahead of the FTC’s planned evidentiary hearing in August 2023.

The report comes a few weeks after the European Union approved the acquisition, citing Microsoft’s partnerships with several platforms as satisfactory proof that the deal wouldn’t harm cloud gaming. Some of those deals include a partnership with Nvidia GeForce Now, which Microsoft announced will also include support for PC Games Pass during the Xbox Games Showcase, and a 10-year deal to provide Call of Duty on Nintendo platforms. 

It wasn’t enough for the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority, however. The CMA blocked the deal in the United Kingdom over concerns that it would give Microsoft too much influence in shaping cloud gaming and may stymie competition.

While seeking injunctions isn’t a strategy the FTC commonly employs, the commission says on its website that it sometimes files injunctions to stop a merger from proceeding until all parties can gather and present evidence – which, if CNBC’s source is correct, is exactly what the FTC will do in this situation.

Written by Josh Broadwell on behalf of GLHF

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The FTC issued Xbox with a hefty fine for collecting children’s data

The FTC fined Xbox $20 million for illegally collecting data from children under 13 years old without parental consent

The FTC fined Xbox $20 million for illegally collecting data from children under 13 years old without parental consent, which the agency says is a violation of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Xbox users are required to register an account before they can play games on their console, and until 2021, the process involves providing the user’s full name, a date of birth, and an email address. Xbox notifies users under 13 to get parental consent before continuing – but only after receiving and storing their personal information.

The registration process also asked users under 13 to provide phone numbers and consent to sharing their data. The FTC said the U.S. Department of Justice filed a complaint with similar allegations.

 “Our proposed order makes it easier for parents to protect their children’s privacy on Xbox, and limits what information Microsoft can collect and retain about kids,” Samuel Levine, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said in a statement. “This action should also make it abundantly clear that kids’ avatars, biometric data, and health information are not exempt from COPPA.”

The FTC also found that Microsoft retained children’s data for longer than necessary, even when a parent didn’t complete the registration process.

In addition to the $20 million fine, the FTC ordered Microsoft to change its privacy policies and extend COPPA protections to the data it shares with third-party publishers. 

A federal court must approve the order before it goes into effect. However, Microsoft already issued a statement outlining some changes Xbox has already made in compliance with the FTC’s orders, which include asking a user’s age before they input their name and contact information. Microsoft also said it never shared or sold any of the data collected.

The FTC fined Fortnite maker Epic Games $550 million in December 2022 for violating COPPA and “tricking” children into making purchases in the in-game store.

The FTC’s lawsuit against Microsoft over its acquisition of Activision Blizzard remains ongoing, with evidentiary hearings expected to begin in August 2023.

Written by Josh Broadwell on behalf of GLHF

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EU commission approves Microsoft’s Activision-Blizzard acquisition

The EU anti-competition commission has approved Microsoft’s purchase of Activision-Blizzard and believes it will boost the cloud sector

The EU anti-competition commission has approved Microsoft’s purchase of Activision-Blizzard. Following the Xbox maker’s commitment to remedies the EU proposed, the commission believes the deal will help spur growth in the cloud gaming sector.

“The Commission’s in-depth market investigation indicated that Microsoft would not be able to harm rival consoles and rival multi-game subscription services,” the commission said in a press release. “At the same time, it confirmed that Microsoft could harm competition in the distribution of games via cloud game streaming services and that its position in the market for PC operating systems would be strengthened.”

One of the EU’s proposed remedies is free license for consumers to stream any Activision-Blizzard game they own on whatever cloud platform they preferred, and a corresponding license for cloud platforms to host these games. The EU said in its statement that this license extends to any provider – not just the handful of cloud businesses that Microsoft made 10-year deals with – and Microsoft agreed to the terms.

“The European Commission has required Microsoft to license popular Activision Blizzard games automatically to competing cloud gaming services,” Microsoft president Brad Smith said on Twitter. “This will apply globally and will empower millions of consumers worldwide to play these games on any device they choose.”

The EU’s investigation concluded that Activision-Blizzard would not have provided its games to cloud services without the acquisition. Cloud providers that the commission surveyed also said they believed access to these games would help boost their business.

The commission also said that, even if Microsoft tied Call of Duty to the Xbox ecosystem, other console makers wouldn’t suffer, as the FPS game series isn’t a significant player in the European Economic Area. That statement seems at odds with Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2’s momentous sales in Europe and the series’ usually strong performance in the region, though.

In April 2023, the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority arrived at the opposite conclusion. The CMA argued the deal would give Microsoft too much influence to dictate how the cloud sector grew, likely in a way that benefited Xbox more than other providers. The CMA posted a short thread on Twitter reaffirming its commitment to that decision. 

The FTC’s lawsuit intended to block the acquisition remains ongoing, with an evidentiary hearing scheduled for Aug. 2, 2023.

Written by Josh Broadwell on behalf of GLHF

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The UK CMA has blocked Microsoft’s Activision-Blizzard deal

The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority blocked the Microsoft-Activision deal, citing concerns over cloud gaming

The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority blocked the Microsoft-Activision deal, citing concerns over negative effects the deal might have in the nascent cloud gaming sector. Other concerns the CMA previously outlined, including giving Microsoft too much influence in the console and mobile games spaces, did not factor into the decision.

“The UK cloud gaming market is growing fast,” the CMA said in its statement. “Monthly active users in the UK more than tripled from the start of 2021 to the end of 2022. It is forecast to be worth up to £11 billion globally and £1 billion in the UK by 2026. By way of comparison, sales of recorded music in the UK in 2021 amounted to £1.1billion.”

For reference, consumer spend on video games during 2022 in the United States alone totaled $56.6 billion, substantially more than the forecast global value of cloud gaming.

“Microsoft has a strong position in cloud gaming services and the evidence available to the CMA showed that Microsoft would find it commercially beneficial to make Activision’s games exclusive to its own cloud gaming service.”

The CMA said that evidence suggested Activision would provide its games, including Overwatch and World of Warcraft, via other cloud platforms in the future, though it didn’t name platforms or share what that evidence was.

Microsoft set out to appease regulators with a stream of 10-year deals, promising Call of Duty on Nintendo Switch and Xbox Game Pass and cloud platforms, including Nvidia’s GeForce Now. However, the CMA said these proposed remedies left other important issues unaddressed, such as barring publishers from offering games on non-Windows platforms and standardizing how cloud games were made available – namely, through Microsoft-owned services.

Microsoft and Activision promised to fight the decision and push for a repeal, stating the CMA’s decision will undermine innovation and harm the U.K.’s future as a place of business.

Meanwhile, the European Union has yet to issue its ruling, and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s lawsuit to block the deal remains ongoing.

Written by Josh Broadwell on behalf of GLHF

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The European Union delayed its ruling on the Microsoft-Activision deal

The European Union’s competition regulator delayed ruling on the Xbox-Activision deal after Microsoft proposed remedies to its concerns

The European Union’s competition regulator delayed ruling on the Xbox-Activision deal after Microsoft proposed remedies to its concerns, according to a new report from Reuters. The commission will now make its decision by May 22, 2023. 

The EU filed a report saying Microsoft offered a set of potential actions that would help allay fears of harming competition in the games sector and cloud-based gaming.

The news comes after Xbox announced multiple deals with partners ranging from Nintendo and Nvidia to lesser-known platforms, such as Boosteroid. These agreements guaranteed, among other things, access to and content parity for Call of Duty and access to Xbox Game Pass games on non-Xbox cloud platforms, though the EU filing didn’t mention whether these were the remedies that convinced the EU to delay its ruling.

Sources with knowledge of the situation previously suggested the EU planned to permit the deal without requiring Microsoft to make any concessions. The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority has, so far, been the only regulatory body to suggest blocking the deal unless Microsoft sold off parts of Activision Blizzard – something Microsoft said it wouldn’t even consider.

The CMA is still expected to issue its ruling sometime in April. Meanwhile, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s lawsuit to block the deal is ongoing.

Written by Josh Broadwell on behalf of GLHF

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