Security Basics mailing list archives
Re: automatic update on Mac OS X
From: SMiller () unimin com
Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2003 11:51:07 -0400
By using the word "fix" you imply that this is a problem that needs correction. As someone who supports Windows PCs, including repairing damage done by automated updates, and the user of the only OSX machine in the company, I disagree. The only situation in which I conditionally favor automatic application of updates without user confirmation is on a network where an adminstrator is delegated that decision. I would regard an "Automatic Update" in th erecent Windows tradition as a degradation of the OSX environment. Scott Miller "my views do not necessarily reflect those of Unimin Corporation, and I have the bruises to prove it..." Dave Botsch <dwb7 () cornell edu To: Zachary Mutrux <zmutrux () compumentor org> > cc: Security-Basics <security-basics () securityfocus com> Fax to: 08/30/2003 04:15 Subject: Re: automatic update on Mac OS X PM
From what I have seen, the short answer is no.
The long answer is, write a cron job which calls a shell script that runs the commandline softwareupdate and parses that output then installs the updates. The only gotcha there is updates that require reboots...I forget if the commandline interface auto reboots, asks you, or just tells you you better reboot. Depending on what happens, you may slso be able to handle that. I did not get the impression that this was going to be fixed in Panther, either. On Fri, Aug 29, 2003 at 09:17:08AM -0700, Zachary Mutrux wrote:
Is there a way to automate the download and installation of updates in
Mac
OS X? In Mac OS 9, the Software Update Control Panel included a checkbox labeled "Ask me before installing new software". If you unchecked the
box,
patches would be automatically installed. That checkbox doesn't exist in
Mac
OS X. I have done some searching on google, but didn't come up with a way to automate patch application. I'm just wondering if anyone knows how to do this. An AppleScript, maybe? Scheduled as a cron job? Thanks, Zac -- Zac Mutrux Technology Consultant CompuMentor 415-633-9437
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---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- ******************************** David William Botsch dwb7 () cornell edu ******************************** --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attend Black Hat Briefings & Training Federal, September 29-30 (Training), October 1-2 (Briefings) in Tysons Corner, VA; the world's premier technical IT security event. Modeled after the famous Black Hat event in Las Vegas! 6 tracks, 12 training sessions, top speakers and sponsors. Symantec is the Diamond sponsor. Early-bird registration ends September 6.Visit us: www.blackhat.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attend Black Hat Briefings & Training Federal, September 29-30 (Training), October 1-2 (Briefings) in Tysons Corner, VA; the world's premier technical IT security event. Modeled after the famous Black Hat event in Las Vegas! 6 tracks, 12 training sessions, top speakers and sponsors. Symantec is the Diamond sponsor. Early-bird registration ends September 6.Visit us: www.blackhat.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current thread:
- Re: automatic update on Mac OS X Sebastian Schneider (Sep 02)
- <Possible follow-ups>
- Re: automatic update on Mac OS X Sebastian Schneider (Sep 02)
- RE: automatic update on Mac OS X matt willson (Sep 02)
- Re: automatic update on Mac OS X Dave Botsch (Sep 02)
- Re: automatic update on Mac OS X Damon McMahon (Sep 02)
- RE: automatic update on Mac OS X Zachary Mutrux (Sep 02)
- RE: automatic update on Mac OS X Dean Saxe (Sep 02)
- Re: automatic update on Mac OS X Schneider Sebastian (Sep 02)
- Re: automatic update on Mac OS X SMiller (Sep 02)
- RE: automatic update on Mac OS X Zachary Mutrux (Sep 02)
- Re: automatic update on Mac OS X Martin Brecher (Sep 03)
- RE: automatic update on Mac OS X Zachary Mutrux (Sep 02)