Is it safe to automatically install security updates?

Question

In the "Software & Updates" preferences, there is an option to automatically download and install security updates:

It seems like this is a very reasonable option. I won't have to bother with updates for two weeks and everything will be done automatically in the background. However, I wonder if it is safe, too? What if I logout or reboot at a wrong time during the installation, because I don't even know there is an installation running?

Possible duplicate of Prevent Ubuntu from shutdown before background automatic updates complete — WinEunuuchs2Unix, Apr 13 '19 at 02:18
Re. "What if I logout or reboot at a wrong time during the installation,", I suspect you'll see some sort of message if you try to logout. As for rebooting, I guess the same would apply if you use the GUI. I don't know about what would happen if you long-press the power button or switch off the main supply, etc. But do read the linked possible duplicate even though it's a bit dated. — DK Bose, Apr 13 '19 at 04:20

N0rbert · Accepted Answer · 2019-04-13T09:50:25.537

4

Some latest "updates" show that it is not safe.

You can get:

kernel panic - see example 1 or example 2
broken USB 3.0
broken console login
broken VirtualBox

So I considered to install updates on my machines manually after reading some feedback about latest updates.
You can always disable unattended-upgrades to make Ubuntu act as Ubuntu and not Window$ 10.
Do it only if you are sure.

edited Apr 13 '19 at 09:50

answered Apr 13 '19 at 09:44

N0rbert

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Is it safe to automatically install security updates?

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