Many Microsoft (MSFT) Windows users worldwide are facing the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error, leading to unexpected system shutdowns or restarts. Reports indicate that a recent update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike (CRWD) is likely the cause of this issue.
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Wondering what the BSOD error is? A BSOD is a stop error or black screen error, which occurs when a critical issue forces Windows to shut down abruptly to prevent further damage. You might see a message like “Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.”
Potential Cause and Impact
The outage appears to be linked to a technical issue with CrowdStrike Falcon, a key product that provides endpoint protection for Windows systems.
Importantly, the issue is reported to have impacted several sectors, including banking institutions, supermarkets, and media companies. Even Apple Pay transactions have been disrupted. Further, low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines had to cancel some flights due to their systems being impacted by the Microsoft 365 issues.
Both Companies Acknowledge the Issue
Both Microsoft and CrowdStrike have acknowledged the issue and are actively investigating the cause of the problem.
Further, CRWD has assured users that its engineers are actively working to resolve the issue. The company is expected to announce a resolution soon.
Is CrowdStrike a Buy or Sell?
It should be mentioned that yesterday, Redburn Atlantic analyst, Nina Marques, downgraded the rating on Crowdstrike stock to Sell from Buy and lowered the price target to $275 (19.8% downside) from $380. The analyst raised concerns about the stock’s valuation and the difficulties in breaking into the large enterprise market.
Nevertheless, the company’s strong position in the cybersecurity space keeps Wall Street analysts bullish about its prospects. It has a Strong Buy consensus rating based on 30 Buy and one Hold recommendations. The analysts’ average price target on CRWD stock is $397.07, implying a 15.75% upside potential from current levels.
