When the internet breaks: Surviving the AWS outage

The AWS outage took down millions of sites. Learn how to stay connected, safe and prepared when the internet breaks.

Science/Technology Oct 21, 2025 0 11 Add to Reading List

The internet just had a meltdown. Amazon Web Services (AWS) went down and millions of websites followed. Amazon.com, Prime Video, Perplexity AI, Canva and even Fortnite were hit hard. What started as a small glitch spread fast, disrupting apps, payments and entertainment across the globe.

When AWS struggles, the web trembles. The service powers platforms like Snapchat, Hulu, Venmo, Alexa and even parts of iCloud. When that backbone bends, our digital lives feel it instantly.

So what really caused the outage, and more importantly, how can you stay online when everything else fails?

What happened during the AWS outage

AWS confirmed “increased error rates and latencies” in its US-EAST-1 region. That might sound technical, but it means one thing: the cloud cracked.

When AWS went down, ripple effects hit major platforms worldwide. According to verified sources and company statements, here are 15 major services that were disrupted during the outage:

Amazon.com: Amazon’s main retail site experienced slowdowns and errors.
Prime Video: Streaming interruptions reported across multiple regions.
Fortnite: Epic Games confirmed login failures for players.
Canva: The design platform froze for users as image tools went offline.
Perplexity AI: The chat app confirmed downtime caused by AWS issues.
Snapchat: Messaging and story uploads failed for many users.
Signal: The secure messaging app reported connection problems.
Venmo: Users faced payment delays and transaction errors.
Robinhood: Trading services and app functions were temporarily unavailable.
Hulu: Streaming access was disrupted as backend servers went dark.
Roblox: The gaming platform suffered connection and login issues.
Chime: The mobile banking app experienced widespread outages.
Ring: Smart home features and alerts stopped working for some users.
Alexa: Amazon’s voice assistant had reduced functionality in many homes.
Coinbase: Crypto trading and account access slowed or timed out.

Each of these platforms depends on AWS cloud infrastructure to operate. When the US-EAST-1 region faltered, those connections broke. The outage revealed how deeply the modern internet relies on a single cloud ecosystem and how quickly daily life can stall when that system goes offline.

We reached out to AWS, and a representative told CyberGuy, “Please see the latest update on the AWS Health Dashboard here.”

A woman struggling during an internet outage

Why the AWS outage matters more than you think

Most people never realize how much of their daily life depends on the cloud until it goes offline. Smart locks, grocery apps, calendars and thermostats all rely on it.

When services like AWS go down, your routines can slow to a crawl. That is why you need a digital backup plan. Not for experts, but for everyday people who want to stay connected.

A woman struggling duringh an internet outage

How to stay functional during an internet outage

You cannot stop outages, but you can prepare. When AWS or any major cloud service fails, your digital world doesn’t have to. Here’s how to stay connected, secure and calm when the web stops working.

1) Keep offline access to important info

When the cloud goes down, so does access to key files. Download insurance cards, travel plans, ID scans and medical lists to your phone or laptop. Turn on offline mode in Google Docs, iCloud or Office 365. This step ensures you can still see what matters even when Wi-Fi disappears.

Also, use a password manager like NordPass that offers offline vault access so you can still view and copy your login data securely without an internet connection.

2) Have backup communication and payment options

During the AWS outage, many messaging apps and payment tools failed together. To stay connected, keep at least two communication options, such as Signal, SMS or Bitchat. If one goes down, the other keeps you talking. Carry some cash and a second credit card from another bank. When payment apps like Venmo or PayPal freeze, old-school methods still work. Then, download offline maps in advance so you can navigate without live data.

3) Use a personal data removal service

When systems break, personal data often becomes more vulnerable. Services like Incogni can help remove your private information from marketing lists and data brokers.

By clearing your digital footprint in advance, you lower the risk of identity theft when outages lead to data leaks or confusion.

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4) Prepare your smart home

If your smart locks, lights or thermostats rely on Alexa or other cloud systems, they may stop responding during an outage. Test every device now so you know which ones still work locally. Many smart devices have manual settings you can activate without the cloud. For example, smart cameras often record to local storage as a backup. These small checks today can keep your home running smoothly next time AWS falters.

5) Plan for offline entertainment

When AWS crashed, streaming apps like Hulu and Prime Video went dark. Keep boredom away by downloading music, movies and podcasts for offline use. Save recipes, notes and to-do lists in an app that stores content locally instead of relying on the cloud. Also, keep phone numbers for friends, family and favorite restaurants in your contacts. When delivery apps or communication tools go down, you can still reach the people and places you need.

6) Protect your data with 2FA

Outages open doors for scams. During the AWS disruption, hackers can use fake “account restore” links to trick you. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all important accounts before an outage happens. This single step makes it much harder for anyone to break in, even if phishing scams flood your inbox during a digital blackout.

7) Use strong antivirus tools

Major outages create confusion that cybercriminals love. Protect yourself with strong antivirus protection like TotalAV. It can block phishing sites and malware even when your network connection struggles. Stay alert for suspicious messages that promise to “fix” login issues. If something feels off, wait until the official site updates before taking action.

The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.

8) Use a VPN for secure browsing

A VPN helps protect your connection during unstable internet periods. Services such as Surfshark VPN or ExpressVPN encrypt your traffic, which adds an extra layer of safety.

When cloud servers are under stress, a VPN keeps your online activity private and less exposed to hackers searching for weak spots.

9) Diversify your digital life

The AWS outage showed why relying on one platform can be risky. Back up your photos and documents across more than one cloud provider. For example, use both Google Photos and iCloud Photos.

Then, store the most critical files on a portable SSD or USB drive. Having multiple storage options means you won’t lose access to your life’s data when one cloud fails.

10) Keep a secondary email provider

If your main email service is connected to a cloud outage, communication can stop instantly. Create a secondary email with an independent provider like StartMail.

Having a backup email ensures you can still verify logins, reach contacts and receive essential updates even when your main inbox goes offline.

11) Consider identity theft services

When major cloud providers like AWS experience outages, cybercriminals often try to exploit the chaos. During these disruptions, personal data can become more exposed to theft or misuse.

Identity theft services such as Identity Guard help monitor your information for suspicious activity after a data-related disruption. The service tracks signs of identity theft across financial accounts, dark web sources and other databases.

If your personal data appears in a breach, you’ll get an alert right away so you can act quickly. Then, review your passwords and account settings to make sure everything stays secure. Staying alert and using trusted protection tools helps you recover faster when the internet fails.

12) Stay calm and don’t make rash decisions

The first reaction during an outage is usually panic. Resist it. Before assuming your device is broken, check trusted sources like Downdetector.com or the AWS Health Dashboard for real updates.

Avoid clicking links on social media that claim to “restore access.” Those are often phishing attempts. Staying calm helps you think clearly and protect your accounts until the cloud comes back online.

Pro tip: Bookmark your trusted CyberGuy security deal links so you can protect yourself affordably before the next big outage.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

The AWS outage will not be the last. Technology connects us, but it is not unbreakable. With some preparation, you can stay productive and safe even when the web goes dark. Because when the internet breaks, life keeps moving. Being ready means you can move with it.

If the next big outage hit right now, how ready would you be to go 24 hours completely offline? Let us know in the comments below.

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