When looking for software to built up important IT infrastructure like servers and there are few better choices than Debian. Debian is a Linux distribution that has top-tier features for security, privacy and virus resistance. However, new threats are constantly on the rise and as such Debian needs to be constantly updated to ensure that potential vulnerabilities that can be exploited are closed up. This makes learning how to apply Debian updates a critical part of using the distribution, and this article will show you how to do it.
How to Apply Debian Updates for Security
Here we go:
First Step
To acquire and apply Debian updates, you’ll make user of the Gnome Terminal utility that comes packaged with Debian. To access this tool, you’ll need to launch the program through the search bar, program list, or by using the run command (alt+f2) and then typing in the command gnome-terminal.
Next Up
Use the command sudo apt update to update the package index files and see if there are available updates, followed by the sudo apt list –upgradable command to actually get the update listing and details about them.
Finally
Now, you can proceed by making use of either the sudo apt upgrade command, which is for general updates, or if you have a need to run only the security updates, you can instead run these lines of commands in Terminal to do that :
- grep security /etc/apt/sources.list | tee /etc/apt/security.sources.list
- sudo apt-get update
- sudo apt-get upgrade -o Dir::Etc::SourceList=/etc/apt/security.sources.list
With this, you’ve successfully learnt how to apply Debian updates, with a special focus on security updates that can be essential.
Tips and Tricks for Better Security
Below are a few security tips to keep your system safe:
- While trying to make use of this guide or any similar ones, it might be best to copy and paste the commands to avoid errors filling them into the Terminal.
- Instead of having to apply Debian updates manually at all times, it might be easier to make use of the automatic update utility that can be activated by using the Terminal command sudo apt install unattended-upgrades on your computer to ensure that new updates can be applied much sooner and without the human error that can occur from trusting yourself to do it manually.
- Staying informed on potential issues and vulnerabilities that Debian might be weak to or even recently patched could help to inform more responsible user habits and lower your risk of damage from bad actors.
- Having a robust backup plan in case of some sort of breach in your system can be the difference between sinking or swimming, especially if you monitor or administrate a server. Ensuring that all systems that are connected can be insured across the board helps as well.
- Making use of tools that can scan for vulnerabilities, such as Nessus, or making use of the Nagios service for constant monitoring, can be a major help in dealing with security updates and their application.
Now that you have all this information, you can go ahead and apply Debian updates with no worries !
