Level 1,2,3 updates-should I still be cautious

[xpeterpx]

Do you install these level updates as a matter of course or should you still be cautious.

What are the sort of things to look out for please?

Thanks

[Pjotr]

Always install all level 1-3 updates. As a matter of course.

The level system has been designed to protect you from potential regressions (defective updates) that would make your system unusable. No defective level 1-3 update should ever be able to kill your system.

So even if there would be a "bad apple" among the level 1-3 updates, the damage would be limited. And temporary, because a fix usually will arrive shortly.

It's only level 4 and 5 that carry showstopper risks. Note that even for level 4 and 5 those risks are small: all updates are being tested before they're being released.

--- Edit: forum member Cosmo. has rightly pointed out to me, that there's currently an important exception to what I've outlined above. Don't install updates for Nvidia drivers, even if they're labeled as level 3.

[xpeterpx]

OK, thank you

[Schultz]

I would add that there is also an exception for level 5 updates, as it pertains to the Dirty Cow exploit. If you are using a kernel that is susceptible to the Dirty Cow exploit, I'd advise to update it. (Kernel upgrades are always level 5.)

[ For more info on Dirty Cow, see this thread: viewtopic.php?f=47&t=232473 ]

[miclis]

Actually, I believe that you should always be cautious (to some degree) while installing lv 1-3 patches. Two weeks ago there was an update of nvidia drivers which caused some users serious problems. Of course it may be quite difficult and time consuming to investigate every patch and look for possible problems on the Internet before installing. What I suggest is not to install updates blindly. Accept all 1-3lv patches but at least read the patch name, so if any problems occur, you will know what you just installed and what (possibly) caused the problem which makes troubleshooting and reversing changes much easier.

[GoLinux]

Actually, I believe that you should always be cautious (to some degree) while installing lv 1-3 patches. Two weeks ago there was an update of nvidia drivers which caused some users serious problems. Of course it may be quite difficult and time consuming to investigate every patch and look for possible problems on the Internet before installing. What I suggest is not to install updates blindly. Accept all 1-3lv patches but at least read the patch name, so if any problems occur, you will know what you just installed and what (possibly) caused the problem which makes troubleshooting and reversing changes much easier.

Also, Synaptic keeps a log of all of the packages that have been installed, upgraded and removed. It is all neatly organized by month and then by specific date and time. You can access it from File -> History from Synaptic's main screen.

[miclis]

Nice feature, but to make it useful, you have to know that it exists Moreover, in a case when you cannot access Synaptics because your GUI does not work (like in this nvidia case) you won't be able to use this History option. Yeah, I know, there is for sure a text log file which keeps those information and can be accessed via terminal, but in order to use it, you have to know where to find it.

There is also a log of updates that can be accessed via Update Manager. You have to click on View and then on History. Still, only accessible when GUI works.