Since April 2nd, Western Digital, the renowned data storage manufacturer, has been experiencing a service outage affecting various products, including My Cloud, My Cloud Home, My Cloud Home Duo, My Cloud OS5, SanDisk ibi, and SanDisk Ixpand Wireless Charger. The company stated it was “working to restore service” and apologized for any inconvenience caused. However, since the initial announcement, there has been little new information provided.
Local Access Feature: A Temporary Solution for Users
On April 7th, Western Digital shared its first helpful post since the outage began, revealing a workaround for users to access files stored on their devices. A Local Access feature is now available for My Cloud Home, My Cloud Home Duo, and SanDisk ibi users, while it is already enabled and functional for My Cloud OS5 products.
Setting Up Local Access on Windows and macOS Computers
To enable Local Access, users must have a Windows or macOS computer connected to the same network as their affected device. A specific Local Access account must be created, a process that may seem complex, so following the directions closely is essential. Note that users must have set up their devices before the network crash; new owners will have to wait for the restoration of service.
The Root Cause: Network Security Incident
The ongoing service outage is the result of a “network security incident” that allowed unauthorized access to data from Western Digital’s systems. The company is working to determine the extent of the breach and the affected data, including customer information.
This is not the first time Western Digital has experienced a security breach. In 2021, a similar incident resulted in the mass-wiping of numerous My Book Live cloud storage products. In response, Western Digital offered free data recovery services and a trade-in program for affected customers.
Current Status: Western Digital’s Efforts to Restore Services
As of now, Western Digital continues to work on restoring impacted infrastructure and services. The company has taken its systems and services offline as a precautionary measure, and is actively investigating the unauthorized access to its data. It remains unclear who is responsible for the breach or if it was a ransomware attack. In the meantime, the Local Access workaround provides temporary relief for some users unable to access their files during this challenging time.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, the Western Digital My Cloud outage has left users frustrated and unable to access their stored files for several days. The company has been working diligently to restore services and investigate the root cause of the network security incident. While it remains unclear who is responsible for the breach or if it was a ransomware attack, Western Digital has provided a workaround for some users in the form of Local Access. Although this is only a temporary solution, it offers a degree of relief for users waiting for a full restoration of services. Users are encouraged to follow the company’s updates and instructions for accessing their files through Local Access until the situation is resolved.
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Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs:
1. What products are affected by the outage?
My Cloud, My Cloud Home, My Cloud Home Duo, My Cloud OS5, SanDisk ibi, and SanDisk Ixpand Wireless Charger are affected.
2. What is the Local Access workaround?
Local Access allows users to access files stored on their devices through a Windows or macOS computer connected to the same network.
3. Can new device owners use Local Access?
No, only users who set up their devices before the network crash can use Local Access.
4. What caused the Western Digital outage?
The outage was caused by a network security incident that allowed unauthorized access to the company's data.
5. When will services be fully restored?
Western Digital is actively working to restore services, but a specific timeframe for full restoration is currently unknown.
