Did Windows 3.1 Save Southwest Airlines During Microsoft Outage?
All global airline services were affected on July 19, 2024, due to a Microsoft Office 365 outage.
Southwest Airlines, the fourth-largest airline in the United States, was spared from the chaos caused by the Microsoft Office 365 outage allegedly due to CrowdStrike cybersecurity software updates!
But how? It is simple. Southwest Airlines used Windows 3.1
Southwest Airlines was saved during the notorious Microsoft Office 365 outage because they used Windows 3.1.
Released in 1992, this 32-year-old operating system did not receive updates, making it immune to CrowdStrike's faulty update.
As a result, Southwest’s systems continued to function normally, while other airlines that used current (new) Windows versions were forced to ground their flights, resulting in passengers' suffering.
Screenshot source.
Microsoft 3.1 was outdated, yet reliable!
Southwest Airlines has been criticized for its outdated systems, but Windows 3.1 proved to be a reliable savior during the black day of the Microsoft Office 365 service outage.
The airline’s staff scheduling system, which runs on Windows 95, is also outdated but still functional.
While many employees have complained about the older technology, the global CrowdStrike outage may provide an argument for Southwest not to update its systems.
The question is, why do people discard an old OS and go for a new one?
I'm unsure what its poor clients can do if Microsoft can't provide the support.
Where is the silver lining?
The recent incident highlights the unexpected benefits of sticking with an older and outdated OS, which was a well-tested OS.
In this situation, Windows 3.1 has become an unlikely hero for Southwest Airlines, saving the airline from the disruptions that affected its competitors.
Although people may still criticize the airline for its outdated technology, the CrowdStrike outage has temporarily relieved the pressure to modernize.
<> Initially published in my Publish0x blog.
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I practice STEM—science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. I secretly add the arts, literature, music, fine art, and movies to my list of interests. So, my new interest acronym becomes Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, or STEAM.
I work to develop solutions in cybersecurity data privacy solutions, especially authentication technology and password security.
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