Operating Systems/Linux/Ubuntu/Ubuntu 16.04 LTS/Updates

Why do we Need Updates

While some updates just deliver additional functionality or general bug fixes some updates patch critical security flaws; because of this it is always in the best interest of the user's security to have checks for updates ran constantly.

How to install Updates

GUI

1. Search for Software Updater
2. Follow the prompts that it gives you
3. Alternatively, redownload

CLI

1. sudo apt update
   • This gets a list of what items can be updated
2. sudo apt upgrade
   • This updates based off the list from apt update
3. reboot the system (optional)

While it's not required to use apt-fast, it's recommended as it can greatly decrease the amount of time when updating.

How to Check for Updates Automatically

Have updates installed without the need for manual action.

GUI

1. Navigate to the Updates section in the settings app
2. Change "automatically check for updates" from Never to Daily

CLI

(Not recommended if the GUI works)

1. sudo apt install unattended-upgrades (this will most likely be preinstalled)

2. Ensure that it's configured correctly. run the command "sudo nano /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/50unattended-upgrades". Find the line that says "Unattended-Upgrade::Allowed-Origins", and look inside of its curly braces. Uncomment any lines including "${distro_codename}", but keep lines that end with "-proposed" or "-backports" commented. This will ensure that only security and recommended updates will be installed.

3. sudo nano /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/20auto-upgrades. Set each line equal to "1" (with the quotation marks). This will tell it to update and upgrade each day.

4. sudo systemctl enable unattended-upgrades && sudo systemctl start unattended-upgrades