Websites Disabled in Microsoft Global Outage Come Back Online
Websites disabled during a recent Microsoft global outage have successfully returned to service. The disruption, attributed to “DNS issues,” created significant challenges for users worldwide.
Key Details of the Outage
– Timeframe: The outage began at 16:00 GMT, with many websites regaining functionality by 21:00 GMT.
– Impact on Websites: Notable sites affected included:
– UK: Heathrow, NatWest, Asda, M&S, O2
– US: Starbucks, Kroger
– Microsoft 365 Problems: Users experienced delays, particularly with Outlook services.
– Error Notifications: Many accessed web pages displaying messages like Uh oh! Something went wrong with the previous request.
– Communication Response: Microsoft used a thread on X to provide updates after users reported difficulties accessing the service status page.
Business and Consumer Reactions
– NatWest’s website faced temporary issues; however, mobile banking, web chat, and customer service remained operational.
– The consumer organization Which? emphasized the need for businesses to keep clients informed during service restoration and to consider compensations for affected customers. Lisa Webb, consumer law expert, advised:
– Keep records of failed or delayed payments for potential claims.
– Contact companies regarding any missed bills to request fee waivers.
Legislative Impact
The outage also halted business at the Scottish Parliament due to issues with its online voting system, delaying critical debates over land reform legislation which could alter property management practices in Scotland.
Understanding Azure’s Role in the Outage
Microsoft’s Azure platform is a significant player in the global cloud market, holding approximately 20%. The company indicated that the disturbance arose from “an inadvertent configuration change,” underscoring the interconnected nature of modern internet infrastructure.
Dr. Saqib Kakvi from Royal Holloway University noted the concentrated risk posed by relying heavily on a few large cloud service providers:
– Consolidation of Resources: Economic factors drive organizations to consolidate online assets with dominant players like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google.
– Vulnerability: An outage could have widespread implications, affecting thousands of applications and systems.
Engineering professor Gregory Falco from Cornell University highlighted the Internet’s fragile infrastructure, emphasizing that large platforms rely on countless interconnected components, managed by various entities.
The recent Microsoft outage serves as a stark reminder of our reliance on major tech companies for essential online services. As the digital world continues to evolve, the need for diversified, resilient systems becomes increasingly crucial to prevent such widespread disruptions in the future.