A global IT meltdown caused by a faulty update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike severely disrupted services worldwide, grounding flights, delaying banking transactions, and affecting healthcare systems. The issue stemmed from an update to CrowdStrike's 'Falcon Sensor' for Microsoft Windows, leading to widespread crashes and operational stoppages. Critical infrastructure such as 911 services and hospitals were impacted, raising concerns about national security and emergency responses. Experts emphasize the necessity for robust continuity plans and thorough testing of software updates to prevent such disruptions. CrowdStrike has since deployed a fix, but the fallout may affect payroll processing and other services for weeks. The incident also led to increased caution against potential scams exploiting the situation.