How to Enable Automatic Security Updates on Debian 13 with unattended-upgrades

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The unattended-upgrades package allows Debian 13 servers to automatically download and install security updates daily without manual intervention. It is configured using dpkg-reconfigure and a settings file at /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/50unattended-upgrades, where administrators can fine-tune which update sources are included. By default, the tool covers both Debian security patches and conservative stable point-release updates, while larger software upgrades remain under manual control. Administrators can also configure automatic cleanup of unused kernels and dependencies to prevent the /boot partition from filling up. The tool supports optional automatic reboots at a scheduled time for kernel updates, though this setting requires a deliberate choice based on server availability requirements.

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ProgrammingDEV Community ·

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ProgrammingDEV Community ·

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ProgrammingDEV Community ·

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