Windows 3.1, launched in 1992, is likely not getting any updates. So, when CrowdStrike pushed the faulty update to all its customers, Southwest wasn’t affected (because it didn’t receive an update to begin with).
Aside from Windows 3.1, Southwest also uses Windows 95 for its staff scheduling system.
One X user suggested that the company switch to Windows XP—it’s also no longer updated, and it can run Windows 3.1 applications via compatibility mode.
It’s a news article of a tweet that was originally a joke on a year-old article which says some were still on 3.1.
That’s harder extrapolation than my grade-school essay assignments.
I couldn’t find any sources either. In 2022, they had issues that were attributed to aging technology and reluctance to go digital on their processes, but nothing to suggest Windows 3.1
The was a quote from a union rep that said their programs “looked like they were designed on Windows 95”.
The tweet is from the founder of Android Authority and APKMirror, so while it’s indeed filmsy sourcing, the credibility hasn’t completely vanished.
I’m not sure what is more terrifying - one company screwing up global economy with a single update, or airlines running on windows 3.1
The Amish also were not affected.
Amish, to the computerized world: “Think you’re really righteous? Think you’re pure of heart? Well, I know I’m a million times as humble as thou art!”
That’s why Southwest is so cheap. They never sprang for the Win95 site license.
Now that this is known the hackers will come.
They’re infamous for it, and it’s bitten them in the ass before.
Once upon a time I couldn’t understand why companies and governments still used ancient computer systems running DOS, Win3.1, or 9x, or computers like C64s. “Upgrade! Your new systems will be far more powerful and efficient; and that means they’re better!” -teenage me at some point, probably.
However, as I’ve gotten older I’ve realized that it’s because “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. While Southwest may spend more money than necessary on maintenance due to the ancient systems needing now-specialized skills, those systems are also time-proven to be as functional and dependable as they need them to be. Ironically, they might actually be more secure than most modern systems due to a combination of decades of specialized security/stability patches they’ve probably had and simple security-through-obsolescence.
Edit: misremembered the phrase, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.
It becomes an issue when hardware is involved. I’ve seen industrial machines with 386 based touchscreens. Things as simple as a PS2 keyboard start getting hard to find and downtime costs a lot.
Are there PS2 to USB dongles?
They exist, but they might not work with all hardware and keyboards. The problem with the industrial space is that nobody really thinks to keep something around like that just in case. Something stops working and then it’s a scramble to get it back up and running again.
You just helped me realize all the people that make a big deal out of getting monthly “security” updates for their phones are probably just dumb teenagers!
I hate mandatory updates with a fiery passion
They were talking about major and feature updates. Security updates are actually pretty important.
To be fair to the kids, they are an entire generation indoctrinated with the religion of mobile devices being replaced annually and constant updates to everything to keep that dopamine hit as high as possible. They’ve been manipulated by big tech for profit.
While Southwest may spend more money than necessary on maintenance due to the ancient systems needing now-specialized skills, those systems are also time-proven to be as functional and dependable as they need them to be.
So they spend more on maintenance, but the system is also dependable? That seems contradictory.
Not really. A machine that only breaks down every 10 years but is expensive to repair could be considered dependable and expensive to maintain. Similarly, a machine that has expensive parts which rarely fail within their expected lifespan could be considered dependable and expensive to maintain.
Edit: you’re also ignoring the cost of finding and hiring people who know how to maintain the systems. The systems themselves could be dependable, but the skills required to maintain them are expensive.
Auto mechanics were also not affected, since they’ve been using the same computers since the Carter administration.
Gotta rock that cold war era rig.
Haha that’s not true. My computer was down, I am a diesel tech
Not sure if because Crowdstrike wasn’t successful in selling a custom solution to Southwest, or Southwest said “nah we don’t need bloated endpoint security because we use old windows”.
i’m pretty sure falcon only runs on windows 7 and above lol
They upgraded from that lone C64 in the Tuscon warehouse?
Of course they did. Nobody wants to run outdated software.
Anyone using linux also wasnt effected.
Anyone using Windows, but not CrowdStrike was also unaffected. CrowdStrike had released crashy updates for Linux before.
I don’t get the downvotes other than we were affected fixing windows machines all day…
People who try to position this as a “Windows is bad” thing fail to realize that CS could just have easily released a bugged update for their Linux agent instead.
Not only could they, they did, months ago.
I think its probably windows users who have heard us go on about linux and now would prefer to suffer the consequences than admit they where wrong.
