Paul's Security Weekly (Audio) Updating & Protecting Linux Systems - PSW #877
Jun 5, 2025
Explore advanced techniques for keeping Linux systems updated beyond basic commands. Discover the importance of custom scripts and tools like topgrade for effective management. Dive into anti-malware solutions for Linux, including the challenges of PCI compliance. Learn about the latest strategies for system protection and kernel security, emphasizing the need for vigilance against rising threats. Gain insights into managing multiple distributions and the balance between agent-based and agentless security solutions for optimal performance.
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Check Linux Update Announcements
- Always check community stable update announcements before applying major updates.
- Read about known issues and user experiences to avoid common problems during updates.
Handle Configuration Merges
- Use tools like pack-diff to identify configuration files needing manual merging post-update.
- Manually merge or overwrite config files to maintain custom settings after package upgrades.
Automate Linux Updates with Topgrade
- Use topgrade, a Rust-based cross-platform Linux updater, to update packages, docker, flatpak, snap and remote Linux systems.
- Automate updates with topgrade but remain user-assisted to selectively approve changes.