User mode vs. kernel mode: OSes explained

Computers separate the operating system (OS) into user and kernel modes to ensure resource allocation and security. User mode has restricted access, running applications with isolated memory to avoid system crashes. Kernel mode, on the other hand, has unrestricted access and manages core OS functions. A blend of these modes is crucial for system operations. In 2024, the CrowdStrike outage was attributed to a bug in content validation within the kernel mode, reaffirming the need to only run trusted processes in the kernel.