On July 19, 2024, the world experienced the biggest cyber attack in history. This massive cyber assault is spreading quickly across the globe, causing widespread chaos. The attack is so severe that it has taken down numerous systems, including critical emergency services and hospitals. About 75% of 911 systems cannot answer calls, creating a dangerous situation.
Companies Affected
The cyber attack has hit many major companies and services, causing major disruptions. Here are some of the companies affected:
- Microsoft: Many of Microsoft’s services, like Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Store, and Microsoft 365, are down, affecting millions of users.
- Foxtel: The Australian pay TV company is experiencing major service interruptions.
- Amazon: The global online shopping giant is facing widespread problems, impacting deliveries and services.
- National Broadband Network (NBN): Australia’s broadband network has major outages, causing internet issues across the country.
- Commonwealth Bank: One of Australia’s big banks is struggling with serious operational issues.
- NAB (National Australia Bank): Another major Australian bank is dealing with the fallout from the cyber attack.
- Delta Air Lines: The American airline is experiencing disruptions, affecting flights and passenger services.
- ABC: The Australian Broadcasting Corporation has been hit, impacting news and broadcasting.
- Sportsbet: The online betting company is facing significant service outages.
- Plentyoffish: The online dating platform is also affected.
Impact on Emergency Services
The most worrying part of this cyber attack is its impact on emergency services. Hospitals and other critical health services are at risk of going offline, which could have serious consequences for patient care and public safety. With 75% of 911 systems unable to answer calls, this attack poses a huge threat to emergency response and public safety.
Closing Remarks
This cyber attack shows how vulnerable our digital systems are and the huge impact such attacks can have. Companies and governments are rushing to respond and fix the damage. This attack highlights the need for better cybersecurity to protect against future threats. The full extent of the damage and recovery efforts will become clearer in the coming days, but the immediate impact is already being felt around the world.