Airports

AppWizard
December 8, 2024
New Mexico has allowed residents to store their driver’s licenses and state IDs in Google Wallet, becoming the sixth state to do so after California, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, and Maryland. Physical identification is still necessary for law enforcement and age verification, but many businesses and TSA checkpoints are using the NM Verifier app for smartphone-based verification. Google Wallet will soon introduce digital passport IDs, enabling users to store a digital version of their U.S. passport. Users can create a digital U.S. passport ID by selecting the option in Google Wallet and following on-screen instructions. Travelers are advised to continue carrying physical IDs until digital IDs are more widely accepted and to check the TSA’s map for supported states and airports when planning domestic flights.
AppWizard
November 19, 2024
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 has been officially launched by Asobo Studio and is now available on Xbox Game Pass for Ultimate and PC subscribers. The game features enhanced visuals, including detailed ground elements, animal herds, dynamic migrations, ship traffic, oil rigs, glider airports, and helipads. New activities include a World Photographer mode, Challenge Leagues, and an Aviation Careers mode. Xbox achievements for the game are expected to be released later today.
AppWizard
November 9, 2024
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 will be released on November 19 and allows players to control over 65 aircraft from more than 50 airports. It will be available on PC and Xbox Series X/S, with a price of .99 and premium editions like the Aviator Edition priced at .99. The game will also be accessible on Xbox Game Pass from day one. Minimum system requirements include Windows 10, AMD Ryzen 5 2600X or Intel Core i7-6800K CPU, 16GB RAM, AMD Radeon RX 5700 or Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 GPU, and 50GB storage. Recommended requirements are Windows 10, AMD Ryzen 7 2700X or Intel Core i7-10700K CPU, 32GB RAM, AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT or Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 GPU, and 50GB storage. The game supports comprehensive controller options, and a flight stick is recommended for enhanced immersion. Compatibility with the Steam Deck is uncertain.
AppWizard
July 31, 2024
Microsoft is experiencing service outages affecting its cloud-based offerings, impacting products like Outlook, Xbox Live, and Minecraft. The outages began around 7:45 a.m. ET, attributed to an "unexpected usage spike" in Azure cloud services. Reports peaked for Minecraft around 9:30 a.m. ET, with improvements noted after 10 a.m. ET, but no estimated time for complete resolution was provided. This incident follows a significant outage caused by a software update from CrowdStrike that affected approximately 8.5 million PCs worldwide. The previous outage disrupted operations for airlines and airports, leading to potential legal action from Delta Airlines against CrowdStrike. Microsoft’s VP for Windows services emphasized the need for "mission critical resiliency" and a shift from on-premises solutions to cloud management alternatives.
Tech Optimizer
July 30, 2024
Cybersecurity is a significant concern in the digital world, with antivirus software being essential for protecting data from cyber threats. Tech expert Krishi Chowdhary notes that effective antivirus solutions provide real-time protection against various threats, including malware, spyware, and ransomware. Antivirus protection is crucial in several scenarios: 1. Using Public Wi-Fi: Public Wi-Fi networks can expose devices to risks, making antivirus software vital for protecting sensitive activities like banking. 2. Downloading Files and Programs: Antivirus software scans downloads in real-time to block malware. 3. Opening Email Attachments: Many antivirus programs automatically scan email attachments to prevent harmful software from activating. 4. Visiting Unsecured Websites: Antivirus software warns users of potential threats from unsecured websites and blocks access to malicious sites. 5. Using Removable Storage Devices: Antivirus software scans SD cards and USB drives upon insertion to detect and neutralize threats. 6. Sharing Files with Others: Antivirus protection scans incoming files from social media or file-sharing platforms to prevent malware infections. 7. Using Online Banking and Shopping: Antivirus software protects against threats like keyloggers during online transactions. 8. Connecting to IoT Devices: Antivirus software secures connections between IoT devices and online services by eliminating malicious code. 9. Uploading Files to Cloud Storage: Antivirus software scans files during the upload process to block harmful content from spreading in networks. 10. Using Outdated Operating Systems: Antivirus solutions provide additional protection against malware exploiting vulnerabilities in outdated systems.
Winsage
July 27, 2024
A global IT outage caused by a problematic update from CrowdStrike led millions of Windows computers to experience Blue Screen of Death errors, significantly disrupting airlines, hospitals, banks, and businesses worldwide. United, Delta, and American Airlines faced thousands of canceled flights, while Southwest Airlines remained operational due to its reliance on the outdated Windows 3.1 operating system, which has not been updated since 2001. This legacy system was unaffected by the CrowdStrike update, allowing Southwest to avoid similar disruptions. Additionally, Southwest uses Windows 95 for staff scheduling, which also escaped the update's impact. Despite its operational resilience, Southwest's operations were indirectly affected by disruptions at other airports, and there are concerns about the long-term viability of its outdated systems.
Winsage
July 26, 2024
Last week's global CrowdStrike outage is still causing disruptions at airports around the world, with flights being grounded for hours or even days in some cases. CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz announced that the company is working tirelessly to restore systems following the global computer outage that had far-reaching effects on the global economy.
Winsage
July 26, 2024
A global technology outage caused by a bug in a software update from cybersecurity tech company CrowdStrike disrupted major airlines, 911 services, and businesses worldwide. CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz announced that the company is working to restore systems and apologized for the disruption caused.
Winsage
July 26, 2024
CrowdStrike attempted to thank workers who tackled a global IT outage with UberEats vouchers, but Uber flagged the gesture as potential fraud due to high usage rates. The failure paralyzed 8.5m devices worldwide and led to chaos at airports, hospitals, and TV channels. The botched update is estimated to cost US Fortune 500 companies .4bn. CrowdStrike outlined measures to prevent a recurrence, including staggering updates and giving customers more control. Air France KLM expected a hit of about €10m, while Delta Air Lines cancelled over 6,000 flights.
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