0

On a fresh install of Debian 7, GNOME isn't telling me when I need to install updates. It's not even checking for updates automatically (apt-get update). Manually running apt-get update doesn't produce a notification, even if log out & in again. But apt-get upgrade definitely shows outstanding security updates! What's going on and how can I keep my desktop secure?


If I update the system manually, I can still reproduce this problem on demand. (Just downgrade a package e.g. using Synaptic and Package->Force Version; you can log out & in to give the notifier a fair chance at spotting it. E.g. I found bash can be downgraded and then needs a security update. Obviously don't downgrade bash if you're running any vulnerable servers, OR on an untrusted network due the DHCP bash hook vulnerability).

1 Answer 1

0

This is a known bug #757989 No update notifications - Debian Wheezy 7.6. The previous update-notifier package is still available. So the workaround is apt-get install update-notifier.

Make sure to run update-manager, click Settings, and check the Update tab shows daily updates as expected.

Personally I also enable "Download automatically", so the updates are quicker when I do them.

GNOME-PackageKit would be responsible for showing a notification about new packages, but the GNOME Design-Team didn't like that behaviour. So GPK won't show anything at time. Later, this will be changed so security updates are shown. On GNOME, new packages will be installed during restart, but I am not sure yet that we should use this feature. -- #710355 (I know Fedora Linux uses this upgrade on restart option).


UPDATE for Debian 8: I and others are still having the same problem (I believe this is widespread). I'm pretty sure it's getting fixed in Debian 9, which is great but I don't want to run that while it's in the testing/unstable stage.

There's a better workaround in Debian 8. You just have to install a single package, which is available in jessie-backports. http://blog.tenstral.net/2015/09/update-notifications-in-debian-jessie.html

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .