In July 2024, the American cybersecurity company CrowdStrike accidentally distributed a faulty update, resulting in around 8.5 million Windows computers worldwide suddenly crashing to the infamous blue screen of death. This incident caused over $10 billion in global economic losses (approximately 78 billion HKD), affecting multiple industries including aviation, banking, and healthcare, and is regarded as one of the largest IT disasters in history. Over a year after the incident, Apple launched a new ad, cleverly mocking the security flaws of the Windows system in light of the event.
The new advertisement is titled BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) refers to a critical error screen displayed by Microsoft Windows when the operating system encounters a fatal error, preventing it from continuing to run. It's a familiar sight for PC users and indicates serious hardware or software issues. (Blue Screen Crash) and is set to release on October 6, 2025. Spanning 8 minutes, it is the latest installment in the AppleUnderdogs series. Since its inception in 2019, this series has depicted a group of colleagues enhancing their work efficiency and overcoming challenges through the use of Apple products. In this latest ad, the Underdogs team is gearing up for a trade show called Container Con, where they will showcase their eco-friendly product, BetterBag.
The ad's storyline unfolds with a sudden, large-scale computer crash at the exhibition, where the Windows computers and displays of other exhibitors are met with a blue screen, throwing the venue into chaos. However, the Underdogs team's Mac devices run smoothly, and as team members reach out for technical support, they are informed that this is Typical PC Failures, confirming that their Macs are secure.
In the advertisement, technical support staff explain that macOS security tools utilize Apple’s Endpoint Security API, which is designed to handle core-level functions by default, denying third-party software core-level access. In contrast, CrowdStrike’s Falcon Sensor operates at the core level on Windows systems, and any errors during updates can lead to system crashes. Apple emphasizes in the ad that macOS is designed to protect the deepest layers of the operating system, preventing modifications by third-party software or malicious programs.
At the end of the advertisement, the Underdogs team, being the only booth that operated normally, successfully attracted a large number of exhibitors and secured important contracts. Ultimately, this team decided to help other booth exhibitors by distributing Mac mini devices, concluding the advertisement with There's nothing safer than a Mac..
Mac computers are often regarded as being more secure than Windows machines, largely due to the Unix-based architecture of macOS, which employs a more stringent sandboxing approach. Built-in features like System Integrity Protection and Gatekeeper lock down system programs to thwart unauthorized code execution. Apple maintains tighter control over both hardware and software, reviewing every application through the App Store to further minimize potential security vulnerabilities.
However, the Windows system has significant advantages in enterprise deployment, offering tools like Active Directory and Group Policy, which allow IT administrators to configure systems with greater flexibility. While the open architecture of Windows provides heightened adaptability, it also increases the risk of configuration errors and potential attacks. Regardless of the operating system chosen, without implementing necessary security measures and maintaining good computer usage habits, the risk of attacks cannot be completely avoided.
