#but the truth is mundane

[agapi-kalyptei]

crowdstrike: hot take 1

It's too early in the news cycle to say anything truly smart, but to sum things up, what I know so far:

there was no "hack" or cyberattack or data breach*

a private IT security company called CrowdStrike released a faulty update which practically disabled all its desktop (?) Windows workstations (laptops too, but maybe not servers? not sure)

the cause has been found and a fix is on the way

as it stands now, the fix will have to be manually applied (in person) to each affected workstation (this could mean in practice maybe 5, maybe 30 minutes of work for each affected computer - the number is also unknown, but it very well could be tens (or hundreds) of thousands of computers across thousands of large, multinational enterprises.

(The fix can be applied manually if you have a-bit-more-than-basic knowledge of computers)

Things that are currently safe to assume:

this wasn't a fault of any single individual, but of a process (workflow on the side of CrowdStrike) that didn't detect the fault ahead of time

[most likely] it's not that someone was incompetent or stupid - but we don't have the root cause analysis available yet

deploying bugfixes on Fridays is a bad idea

*The obligatory warning part:

Just because this wasn't a cyberattack, doesn't mean there won't be related security breaches of all kinds in all industries. The chaos, panic, uncertainty, and very soon also exhaustion of people dealing with the fallout of the issue will create a perfect storm for actually malicious actors that will try to exploit any possible vulnerability in companies' vulnerable state.

The analysis / speculation part:

globalization bad lol

OK, more seriously: I have not even heard about CrowdStrike until today, and I'm not a security engineer. I'm a developer with mild to moderate (outsider) understanding of vulnerabilities.

OK some background / basics first

It's very common for companies of any size to have more to protect their digital assets than just an antivirus and a firewall. Large companies (Delta Airlines) can afford to pay other large companies to provide security solutions for them (CrowdStrike). These days, to avoid bad software of any kind - malware - you need a complex suite of software that protects you from all sides:

desktop/laptop: antivirus, firewall, secure DNS, avoiding insecure WiFi, browser exploits, system patches, email scanner, phishing on web, phishing via email, physical access, USB thumb drive, motherboard/BIOS/UEFI vulnerabilities or built-in exploits made by the manufacturers of the Chinese government,

person/phone: phishing via SMS, phishing via calls, iOS/Android OS vulnerabilities, mobile app vulnerabilities, mobile apps that masquerade as useful while harvesting your data, vulnerabilities in things like WhatsApp where a glitched JPG pictures sent to you can expose your data, ...

servers: mostly same as above except they servers have to often deal with millions of requests per day, most of them valid, and at least some of the servers need to be connected to the internet 24/7

CDN and cloud services: fundamentally, an average big company today relies on dozens or hundreds of other big internet companies (AWS / Azure / GCP / Apple / Google) which in turn rely on hundreds of other companies to outsource a lot of tasks (like harvesting your data and sending you marketing emails)

infrastructure - routers... modems... your Alexa is spying on you... i'm tired... etc.

Anyway if you drifted to sleep in the previous paragraph I don't blame you. I'm genuinely just scratching the surface. Cybersecurity is insanely important today, and it's insanely complex too.

The reason why the incident blue-screened the machines is that to avoid malware, a lot of the anti-malware has to run in a more "privileged" mode, meaning they exist very close to the "heart" of Windows (or any other OS - the heart is called kernel). However, on this level, a bug can crash the system a lot more easily. And it did.

OK OK the actual hot lukewarm take finally

I didn't expect to get hit by y2k bug in the middle of 2024, but here we are.

As bad as it was, this only affected a small portion of all computers - in the ballpark of ~0.001% or even 0.0001% - but already caused disruptions to flights and hospitals in a big chunk of the world.

maybe-FAQ:

"Oh but this would be avoided if they weren't using the Crowdwhatever software" - true. However, this kind of mistake is not exclusive to them.

"Haha windows sucks, Linux 4eva" - I mean. Yeah? But no. Conceptually there is nothing that would prevent this from happening on Linux, if only there was anyone actually using it (on desktop).

"But really, Windows should have a better protection" - yes? no? This is a very difficult, technical question, because for kernel drivers the whole point is that 1. you trust them, and 2. they need the super-powerful-unrestrained access to work as intended, and 3. you _need_ them to be blazing fast, so babysitting them from the Windows perspective is counterproductive. It's a technical issue with no easy answers on this level.

"But there was some issue with Microsoft stuff too." - yes, but it's unknown if they are related, and at this point I have not seen any solid info about it.

The point is, in a deeply interconnected world, it's sort of a miracle that this isn't happening more often, and on a wider scale. Both bugfixes and new bugs are deployed every minute to some software somewhere in the world, because we're all in a rush to make money and pay rent and meet deadlines.

Increased monoculture in IT is bad for everyone. Whichever OS, whichever brand, whichever security solution provider - the more popular they are, the better visible their mistakes will be.

As much as it would be fun to make jokes like "CrowdStroke", I'm not even particularly mad at the company (at this point - that might change when I hear about their QA process). And no, I'm not even mad at Windows, as explained in the pseudo-FAQ.

The ultimate hot take? If at all possible, don't rely on anything related to computers. Technical problems are caused by technical solutions.

[druid-for-hire]

[image id: a four-page comic. it is titled "immortality” after the poem by clare harner (more popularly known as “do not stand at my grave and weep”). the first page shows paleontologists digging up fossils at a dig. it reads, “do not stand at my grave and weep. i am not there. i do not sleep.” page two features several prehistoric creatures living in the wild. not featured but notable, each have modern descendants: horses, cetaceans, horsetail plants, and crocodilians. it reads, “i am a thousand winds that blow. i am the diamond glints on snow. i am the sunlight on ripened grain. i am the gentle autumn rain.” the third page shows archaeopteryx in the treetops and the skies, then a modern museum-goer reading the placard on a fossil display. it reads, “when you awaken in the morning’s hush, i am the swift uplifting rush, of quiet birds in circled flight. i am the soft stars that shine at night. do not stand at my grave and cry.” the fourth page shows a chicken in a field. it reads, “i am not there. i did not die” / end id]

a comic i made in about 15 hours for my school’s comic anthology. the theme was “evolution”

[leqclerc]

Signature. We're good.

[ebysse]

the snape living space

[mikeyisbrooklyn]

It’s Share A Song Sunday!! If you have trouble reading the caption for it, I brought up a playbill for Hadestown signed by the cast, gifted to me my ride or die, I love her so much💛.

Anywho, this one is called “Two Truths, One Lie”! Denial is a river in Eygpt, but I’m a terrible swimmer, so I’d rather play silly kids games with myself. Everyone’s played Two Truths, One Lie before, right? Right??

Link for those who want it: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPR3xuVct/

[the-golden-comet]

✨2 Truths and a Lie Tag🪽✨

Thank you very much for tagging me for this @musicismymoirail and @theink-stainedfolk !! 💛✨

I’ll come up with 2 truths and a lie for my cinnamon roll angel, Tenshi 🪽✨

Going to (gently) tag: @tragedycoded , @autism-purgatory , @finickyfelix , @wyked-ao3 , @clevah-girlboss , @gioiaalbanoart , @honeybewrites , @illarian-rambling , @willtheweaver , @aintgonnatakethis , @drchenquill , @ominous-feychild , @mysticstarlightduck , @indecentpause , @glasshouses-and-stones , @billybatsonmylove , @justabigoldnerd , @pippinoftheshire , @houseplantblank , @fantasy-things-and-such , @cybercelestian , @corinneglass , @mundanemoongirl , @minamaybe , @nczaversnick , @noxxytocin , @far-cry-from-finality , @kaylinalexanderbooks , @katenewmanwrites , @differentnighttale , @moltenwrites , @mauannacreates , @tildeathiwillwrite , @marlowethelibrarian , @sableglass , @cowboybrunch , @words-after-midnight , @rotting-moon-writes , @saturnine-saturneight , @davycoquette , @noxxytocin , @justabigoldnerd , @pippinoftheshire , +open tag for whoever wants to hop aboard! ✨

[onikiribattousai]

Did this aligmne chart meme again from pinterest

Base:

[thebirdsandthebats]

Bruce Wayne sits in his old man dad chair (you know the one) and falls asleep send tweet

[pomegranatet3a]

someone once said

“beautiful things don’t find empty people”

and my heart stopped

as i stared at the old swing on the orange tree

people will say the most profound,

the most soul shattering things

in the face of beauty

it all washes over our heads, doesn’t it?

like the waves in salty summer sun

i am the shell they pass over

one day i will break

for i am hollow

so they beauty of summer days

will continue to pass me by

as i drown in bubbles

[unproduciblesmackdown]

(genderly) chill as hell if i was only ever glimpsed / detected like this

[mythicamagic]

Hot take maybe but every time someone says Xiao should've died in the Chasm quest, we as a society become just a little bit dumber

[hyenagurl]

katy perrys attempted comeback failed so hard it almost makes me believe in the whole illuminati humiliation ritual shit lmfaooo

[cartoonfanaticmonsterrobotalien]

Solar Opposites: Unleashed Scene: The Truth About Terry

Human Yumyulack: Um Terry, take it easy-

Human Terry: Ugh! I had it with you people and your stupid conflicts?! When are you gonna- the screen suddenly went orange for a second as he suddenly found himself back on Shlorp What? The scene glitched as he saw a shadow of a monster with glowing orange hanging from the ceiling, another horned monster dead on the floor and baby Jesse crying in her crib. Clearly having a panic attack right now, Human Terry curled up on the floor with his hands over his ears, trying to block out this hallucination, but it wasn't off... And he was suddenly knocked back into reality screaming NNNNNOOOOO! breathing in and out frantically No…

Everyone seemed startled by this as they back away. Human Korvo gasp and comes up to his husband in concern.

Human Jesse: T-Terry? You okay?

Human Terry was shaking and practically sobbing at this point, unable to even form coherent sentences. Human Korvo then put his arms around Human Terry.

Human Korvo: Oh Terry, is everything alright?! What’s wrong?!

Human Terry: tearfully Wh-what the fuck was that?

Human Korvo: Oh dear. Let’s go home, AISHA might have the answers to this. Come along kids.

Joan: Wait, what about-

Phoebe MacCarthy: We’re not helping you!

Some of the group gasp.

Barry B-but what about it-

Human Jesse: No forget it! If you guys are just gonna keep fucking throwing each other off the bus, then we’re not helping you. Come on guys. Let’s go home.

Caitlin: Wait! Come back! reaching out her hand

But it was too late. The Human Solars left as the group looks down sadly. Then it shows The rest of the gang, who have watched the whole argument, look sadly as they watch their friends leave.

Miss Frankie: Is Terry going to be okay?

Ms. Perez: Hopefully...

Randall: I sure hope so.

Then, when the Human Solars got home, Aisha is shocked to see Human Terry so vulnerable.

Aisha: Damn, what happened to you Terry?

Human Terry: shaking I-I don’t know. One minute, I fucking snapped because of this whole tension going on around about the epidemic. The next thing I know is that my eyes flash back to Shlorp 13 years ago.

Human Korvo, Human Yumyulack and Human Jesse: What?!

Sonya: Your home planet?!

Phoebe MacCarthy: Aisha! Maybe you can scan Terry! That could help why he acted like that back there.

Aisha: Got it Phoebes!

Aisha starts scanning all over Human Terry’s body until she gasp in horror and looks down.

Human Terry: What?! What is it?!

Aisha: sighs Terry, there is something you should know. It’s time I tell ya the truth about your family’s history…

Human Terry: M-my birth family?

A flashback occurs which shows Shlorp years ago and it shows Terry’s mother Jessica slowly dying from a plague as the doctor packs up his stuff..

Aisha: For the past years, your family was gifted with an amazing beast that is part of their life sources… the Mundane! These beasts are sadly beasts that came out from suicidal thoughts and depression, but luckily, the Wearspreadas were a let to master their beast by realizing how strong and brave they are and the love of the people who care about them, including their friends and family. Your mother was one of them, but tragically the plague took her slowly…

Doctor: closing his suitcase; to Teraformus You must leave! Now!

As the doctor leaves, a baby crying was heard. Teraformus looks at his dying wife one more time as she looks at him smiling.

Jessica: Quickly, before it takes him too.

Teraformus tearfully nods. Then, before she dies, Jessica kiss a pacifier slowly. Then it shows baby Terry crying as Teraformus picks him up and puts him in a basket as he took him to an orphanage. Teraformus looks at baby Terry one more time as he leaves. The head orphan leader picks up baby Terry and takes him inside. The scene cuts back to the present as Human Terry gasp.

Human Terry: Wh-what? I’m a half monster?

Aisha: I’m sorry Terry. It’s true. After your father created me, he told me not to tell you until you are older. Because, the first time a Wearspreada transforms into Mundane, they don’t have any control, which makes the, go berserk and out of control. Even might hurt other people. Also, they’ll lose their sanity if they don’t have any control… even forgetting about the ones they love…

Overwhelmed and distraught, Terry turns back to his normal Shlorpian self as he falls on his knees and breaks down in tears. Korvo, Yumyulack, Jesse and Pupa turns back into their normal alien selves. Then, they, Sonya and Phoebe hugs Terry as he kept crying.

Korvo: Shh. Oh Terry, there there. It’s gonna be okay. Even you transform into your Mundane for the first time, we’ll still be with you no matter what.

Jesse: Yeah. You’ll still be our dad!

Yumyulack: It’ll be okay man.

Sonya: Yeah, even if you turn into a monster like Mr. Korvo, you’ll always be the Terry we know and love.

Pupa: Terry…

Phoebe MacCarthy: And if they dare get on your bad side, I’ll be sure to kick their fucking assess!

Terry kept crying as his family pull him close.

Terry: tearfully O-okay. I’ll try to-to control it! I-I don’t wanna lose my family. I’m so s-s-sorry…

The rest of the family continues to comfort Terry as he breaks down in tears more, now completely afraid of the other side of himself.

[outstanding-quotes]

I learn that there is no superhuman happiness, no eternity outside the sweep of days. These paltry and essential belongings, these relative truths are the only ones to stir me.

Albert Camus, “Summer in Algiers”

[paperandpencilsandskips]

my grandpa told me about how his father was kiled by a duck footed witch, and i remmeber a story he told me about being abducted by demons and getting teleported inside a mountain

i think my grandpa had such a storyteller's soul

[the-golden-comet]

Thank you for the mention, @finickyfelix !

Rules: post a 24 hr poll for a character from your story/WIP, giving 2 truths and 1 lie

Two Truths and a lie about Ali from Your Wish Is My Command

Tagging (no pressure): @fortunatetragedy , @taranorma , @orions-quill , @scribble-dee-vee , @far-cry-from-finality , @glasshouses-and-stones , +open tag for whoever wants to play!