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×Upgrading and maintaining your operating system is crucial to optimal performance and security. AlmaLinux, a widely used open-source Linux distribution, recently released version 9.5 with new features and security enhancements that will benefit any admin or organization running . In this article, I'll explain what's new in AlmaLinux 9.5 and the improvements and features you'll benefit from by upgrading. No matter your skill set or background, I'll guide you through acquiring AlmaLinux 9.5. From backing up data to installing plugins and verifying a successful upgrade, we cover every detail to ensure your system reaps all its advantages and robustness. Introduction to AlmaLinux AlmaLinux is an open-source and community-driven Linux distribution, often seen as an alternative to CentOS since the latter transitioned to CentOS Stream. AlmaLinux OS Foundation has become a vibrant community committed to creating an enterprise-grade operating system compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) that is free, stable, and easy to use —the way CentOS was before switching over. AlmaLinux stands out among Linux options as an operating system suitable for developers, administrators, and enterprise environments due to its stability, reliability, and broad architecture support. Over the years, it has established an impressive user base due to its commitment to staying compatible with RHEL, providing seamless migration paths, regular security updates, and new features. AlmaLinux 9.5 "Teal Serval" Released AlmaLinux OS Foundation officially unveiled AlmaLinux 9.5 (Teal Serval) on November 18th, 2024. This stable release includes updates, security upgrades, new packages, and improved features that further establish AlmaLinux as a prominent enterprise Linux distribution. AlmaLinux 9.5 supports multiple hardware architectures, including Intel/AMD (x86_64), ARM64 (aarch64), IBM PowerPC (ppc64le), and IBM Z (s390x) with installation ISOs readily available for download on official mirrors as well astorrent options to assist. AlmaLinux 9.5 offers more than just traditional installation ISOs. It offers Cloud, Container, and Live Images that meet different deployment needs. These include container images featuring Universal Base Images (UBIs), LXC/LXD containers, and live media tailored for desktop environments like GNOME, GNOME-mini, KDE, XFCE, and MATE. Also, cloud images for popular cloud providers such as AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform, OpenNebula, and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure and generic cloud-init images are readily available. Vagrant Boxes are available for multiple virtualization platforms such as Libvirt, VirtualBox, Hyper-V, VMware (both x86_64 and AArch64), Parallels (AArch64), as well as Raspberry Pi and Windows Subsystem for Linux (both x86_64 and AArch64). With such options, AlmaLinux 9.5 can quickly and efficiently meet user requirements across various environments. AlmaLinux 9.5 Brings Key Features and Improvements AlmaLinux 9.5 introduces key updates and improvements to boost system performance and improve development tooling and security. This release emphasizes performance enhancements through upgraded system performance monitoring tools, such as visualization tools and data collection frameworks, which collectively optimize system efficiency and responsiveness. Furthermore, administrators and developers will gain deeper insights into system behavior for more effective overall performance management. AlmaLinux 9.5 provides developers with powerful development tooling to accommodate modern application development. This release features updated module streams that better accommodate web apps and other contemporary workloads. Additionally, newer compiler versions provide access to features, optimizations, and improvements for code generation. Such robust development tooling makes AlmaLinux an excellent platform for building high-performance applications. AlmaLinux 9.5 remains committed to keeping your data protected with updates designed to strengthen system protection.These improvements include strengthened cryptographic standards that increase data protection, enhanced SELinux policies that tighten access controls to minimize unauthorized access, and strengthened crypto-policies with enhanced encryption mechanisms against emerging threats - making AlmaLinux 9.5 an exemplary choice for enterprise environments that prioritize compliance and data protection. How To Download or Upgrade to AlmaLinux 9.5 on Your Systems To acquire or upgrade to AlmaLinux 9.5, users should begin by accessing one of the official AlmaLinux mirrors and downloading from there. These mirrors offer access to ISO files for various architectures and torrent links, ensuring a faster and more reliable download experience. If you upgrade from an earlier version of AlmaLinux and wish to transition smoothly to version 9.5, this process can be accomplished easily by taking several steps. First and foremost, it is vitally important that any critical data and configurations be backed up before beginning . Doing this could safeguard against data loss should any issues arise during the upgrade. After ensuring your data is safe, update all current packages to their latest versions by running sudo dnf update -y . Next, install the dnf-plugin-system-upgrade with sudo dnf install dnf-plugin-system-upgrade , as this plugin is necessary for upgrading. After installing the plugin, download AlmaLinux 9.5 packages using sudo dnf system-upgrade download --releasever=9.5 to complete your upgrade process. Once the download has been completed, initiate the upgrade process by running sudo dnf system-upgrade reboot to upgrade. Once rebooted, the upgrade process will commence. Depending on the complexity and number of upgraded packages, this may take time. To verify that the upgrade went as smoothly as planned, administrators can check whether their system runs AlmaLinux 9.5 by running cat /etc/os-release and verifying its output reads VERSION="9.5 (Teal Serval) . By taking these steps, administrators canupgrade seamlessly to AlmaLinux 9.5 so their systems can take full advantage of all its improvements and security enhancements. Our Final Thoughts on the AlmaLinux 9.5 Release AlmaLinux 9.5 "Teal Serval" represents an essential step forward for the AlmaLinux community, offering critical updates, performance upgrades, and security enhancements that benefit users new to AlmaLinux and upgrading from earlier versions. AlmaLinux provides a stable, reliable, secure platform that meets enterprise needs—be they architecture-specific support or engaging the community directly—providing users and administrators with the tools they require for IT infrastructure management purposes. Have you tested out Teal Serval? What is your impression of this release? Connect with us @lnxsec and let us know! . AlmaLinux 9.5 introduces key enhancements in performance and security, featuring speed boosts, refined kernel updates, and improved monitoring tools for SysAdmins. AlmaLinux 9.5 features, AlmaLinux upgrade, Linux performance improvements, open source updates, AlmaLinux security enhancements. . Brittany Day
Linux Mint has has long been recognized as a versatile and user-friendly distribution and has earned great popularity among administrators and security practitioners. Due to its stability, ease of use, and robust support system, the distro has quickly established itself in professional environments where reliability and performance are crucial. . With the release of Linux Mint 22 , new updates and enhancements tailored towards security professionals should further solidify this reputation among them. In this article, I'll walk you through the major changes introduced in Linux Mint 22, their significance in the realm of security, and how you can upgrade your systems to reap these benefits. Why Is Linux Mint So Popular Among Admins? Linux Mint has long been recognized for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive out-of-the-box experience, significantly reducing initial setup time—an essential factor for busy administrators. Based on Ubuntu, its access to its extensive software repository and strong community are invaluable assets. Additionally, it boasts regular updates and long-term support versions (LTS versions) to provide regular security patches and system upgrades. Security professionals often cite Linux Mint for its robust nature, integration with security tools and solutions, user permission management capabilities, and reputation for efficiently managing networking and firewall configurations, which is why its release has generated so much excitement among practitioners. Given this background, its release has generated immense anticipation. Noteworthy Changes and Features in Linux Mint 22 Linux Mint 22 brings with it several changes that enhance both its usability and security, such as: Long-Term Support and Kernel Updates: Linux Mint 22 is an LTS release that will receive updates until 2029. Based on Ubuntu 24.04 and running the Linux kernel version 6.8, it is compatible with modern hardware, applications, and packages essential to maintaining systemefficiency and security. Kernel updates will occur every six months to protect the system against changing threats. Increased Security Features: One of the critical security enhancements in Linux Mint 22 is the default disabling of guest sessions, which pose an inherent security risk due to temporary user accounts without password protection that enable unauthorized access. By disabling them by default, this risk has been substantially mitigated. Furthermore, the Online Accounts Synchronization feature was improved, fixing previous vulnerabilities while providing more secure management of online credentials. PipeWire Implementation for Audio: Switching to PipeWire for audio handling is another notable change. It offers greater security and performance advantages than the PulseAudio system. PipeWire allows more granular control over audio device permissions and is better equipped to handle professional audio applications, making it suitable for multimedia tasks that rely on secure audio streams. User Interface and Theming Improvements: Switching the default desktop environment's themes from GTK3 to GTK4 enables GPU acceleration for improved system resource use and graphical performance. However, several GNOME apps were downgraded to GTK3 for compatibility reasons. Disk Space Optimization: Linux Mint 22 includes enhanced disk space utilization by automatically uninstalling language packs that no longer require it, freeing up more space for user applications and data. This ensures the system remains lean while creating additional space for individual applications and data. What are the Security Implications of This Release for Admins? Linux Mint 22's security upgrades have far-reaching ramifications for system administrators. They offer major enhancements that should give system managers peace of mind about network security threats: Kernel Security: Linux Mint 22 users who update their kernel every six months will benefit from the most up-to-date security patches andhardware compatibility improvements, thus decreasing the window of vulnerability for exploits targeting kernel vulnerabilities. Online Account Synchronization: With its enhanced Online Accounts feature, Linux Mint 22 strengthens security when integrating third-party services by addressing past vulnerabilities that compromised credential management and handling. Secured Default Settings: By disabling guest sessions by default, Linux Mint 22 reduces the risk of unauthorized access and provides an initial foundation for administrators to build additional protections. How Can I Upgrade to Linux Mint 22? Administrators currently running Linux Mint 21.3 can easily upgrade to Linux Mint 22 by following these steps: Ensure All Important Data Is Backed Up: Before embarking on significant upgrades, ensure all critical data has been securely backed up and stored safely. Update Manager: Launch the Update Manager to verify your current system is up-to-date. Follow Upgrade Instructions: Once available, upgrade instructions for Linux Mint 22 will be published on the Linux Mint Blog and should be followed step-by-step. Utilize the Update Manager: Existing Linux Mint 22 beta users can use the Update Manager to transition to its stable release. Launch it, refresh its package list, and apply any applicable updates. Post-Upgrade Test: After upgrading, perform a thorough post-upgrade check to ensure all applications and services operate as they should. Review system logs for possible errors and ensure all security settings remain intact. Our Final Thoughts on the Significance of This Release Linux Mint 22 is an outstanding choice for administrators and security practitioners. Boasting LTS support, enhanced security features, and an updated kernel, Linux Mint provides solutions to some of the significant concerns IT professionals face today. Furthermore, its thoughtful improvements in usability and performance cement its position as an optimal distribution for creatinga stable, secure, and efficient operating environment. Keep an eye out on the official Linux Mint blog for up-to-date and detailed upgrade instructions. I strongly encourage you to upgrade to Linux Mint 22 and take advantage of the robustness and security it brings to your systems. . The launch of Ubuntu 22.04 has introduced advanced features and improvements focused on usability, providing essential tools for developers.. Linux Mint 22, admin security, usability enhancements, system updates. . Brittany Day
The Linux 6.10 release has generated considerable interest in the technology community. This is especially true among system administrators responsible for maintaining and securing networks and systems. . Linus Torvalds - the man behind the Linux kernel - commented on the importance of this release. "Linux is not just a number." This release brings significant improvements that will change how we look at security and efficiency within Linux systems. In this article, I'll walk you through the security improvements that Linux 6.10 brings and advise you on how to upgrade. Linux 6.10: What Security-related Changes Have Been Made? The following changes have been made in Linux 6.10 to enhance Linux security: Addition of the mseal() System Call: Adding the mseal() system call is a highlight of the Linux 6.10 release. This marks a significant leap forward in the Linux ecosystem's security, as it prevents modifications to memory areas within a process. Torvalds says, "The addition of mseal() represents a significant step in our efforts to make Linux systems more resilient against attacks that involve memory manipulation." This additional layer of memory protection will be especially useful for applications that require tight security measures to protect against vulnerabilities. Filesystem Progressions: The filesystem has significantly improved in Linux 6.10, including a new protocol to control NFS servers and an improved FUSE subsystem for integrity protection. These improvements ensure data authenticity and integrity, crucial to maintaining secure Linux environments. Bluetooth and Driver Safety: The release, which includes Bluetooth support for MediaTek MT7922, enhances wireless communication security by improving hardware compatibility and bolstering security. Enhanced Arm Support: Linux 6.10 is focused on security, reflected in the Arm architecture enhancements, especially for ARM64-based systems. The userfaultfd() Write-Protect adds an essential layer ofprotection while improving system responsiveness. How Will Admins Benefit from These Changes? Security enhancements in Linux 6.10 provide system administrators with critical tools to strengthen defense mechanisms, including: Sandboxing Memory Protection: mseal() allows for more secure application operation, which is essential to maintaining critical processes' integrity and security. Ensured File Integrity: FUSE's integrated fs verify support allows administrators to protect against unauthorized file modification, preserving the integrity of system data. Improved Bluetooth security: The kernel's improved handling of Bluetooth communications mitigates potential wireless vulnerabilities. Next Steps & Final Thoughts: How Can I Upgrade to Linux 6.10? Linus Torvalds urges administrators to upgrade to Linux 6.10. He says, "Upgrading Linux 6.10 does not only mean adopting the latest feature but also making a conscious decision toward a safer and more reliable system." Here's how you can upgrade: Backup Your System: Before upgrading, ensure you have a copy of all critical data and configuration settings. Check Compatibility: Verify that the hardware and software configurations are compatible with Linux 6.10. Drivers and third-party apps will continue to work. Update Your Repository: Prepare for the upgrade by updating your repository with the Linux 6.10 package. Install the New Kernel: Use your distribution's package manager to install Linux 6.10. Restart Your System: After the upgrade, restart your system and check the kernel version to ensure the update succeeded. Test System Functions: Extensively test the updated system to ensure all services work correctly with the new kernel. These steps will allow system administrators to take advantage of the enhanced security and new features in Linux 6.10. Torvalds concludes, "Adapting the latest kernel is critical for maintaining security, stability, and efficiency in your computingenvironment." This advice is especially relevant for administrators who want to ensure their systems remain secure in a digital world that is constantly evolving. . Delve into significant security improvements and modifications introduced in Linux 6.10. Discover strategies to efficiently upgrade and fortify your systems.. Linux upgrades, security enhancements, Linux 6.10 features, system administration, memory protection. . Brittany Day
Tails, an open-source, portable operating system that protects against surveillance and censorship, has released version 5.22 with various updates and security features that privacy-conscious users and admins will surely appreciate. Here's what's new in this release and how you can upgrade to Tails 5.22 to reap the benefits it offers. · . What New Features Does Tails 5.22 Offer? Notable features of Tails 5.22 include: Tor Browser now allows you to save files in more folders. Documents, Downloads Music, Pictures and Videos. These folders can be used to upload files. Tails will now try to fix your file system if you have a broken Persistent Store when you unlock it on the Welcome Screen. Notable Updates and Changes Updates and changes introduced in this release include: Report the write rate after cloning from Tails Cloner. Don't try to unlock or remove persistent storage on a USB read-only stick. Upgrade the Tor browser to 13.0.9 . Update Thunderbird to 115.7 . Problems Fixed Various problems have been fixed in Tails 5.22, such as: Stop leaking first-level domains of visited websites from the WhisperBack report. This problem first appeared in Tails 5.15.1. Fixing occasional errors attribute error: Object 'NoneType" has no attribute "props" will make Tails installation more robust. Fix for saving the Additional Software configuration when creating a Persistent Storage. Fixing the help link that is displayed when Tails fails to start the first time after resizing the partition. For more details, read the Tails changelog . How Can I Get Tails 5.22? Upgrade your Tails USB Stick and keep Persistent storage Tails 5.22 and later can be upgraded automatically. Please try a Manual Upgrade if you cannot upgrade automatically or if Tails does not start after the automatic upgrade. Install Tails onto a USB stick Install thesoftware by following the instructions below: Install HTML0 from Windows Install from macOS Install from Linux Install from Debian Ubuntu using GnuPG Download only You can download Tails directly if you don't require installation or upgrade instructions: For USB sticks (USB image) ISO image for DVDs and virtual machines Let's Connect! Have additional questions about this exciting release or how to get it for yourself? Have thoughts and feedback to share on Tails 5.22? Connect with us on X @lnxsec - we'd love to help you out or discuss your experience! Learn more about Tails OS and other secure, privacy-centric Linux distros we love in this must-read article. . Tails 5.22 brings significant advancements, improved safety protocols, and fresh utilities for individuals focused on confidentiality. Discover today.. Tails 5.22, security enhancement, privacy-centric OS, system upgrade. . Dave Wreski
There's good news for admins looking nervously at their aging Ubuntu boxes - a few more years of support is now on offer as Canonical brings 14.04 and 16.04 LTS into the 10-year fold. . Users still running on 14.04 LTS (Trusty Tahr), released back in April 2014 , now have until April 2024 (up from 2022) to make the move to something more recent. 16.04 LTS ( Xenial Xerus ), which dropped into Extended Security Maintenance (ESM) in April this year , has had this extended from April 2024 to April 2026. Ubuntu has been quietly updating its support and blog posts to reflect the change. The extension is a welcome one for enterprises, who might be reluctant to fiddle with that one server that has been plugging along happily for years without intervention, and should give administrators a little more breathing space. That is, assuming that somebody has coughed up for ESM, which requires an Ubuntu Advantage subscription (free for personal users or Ubuntu Community members, but otherwise requiring the spending of cold hard cash.) . Individuals utilizing the 16.04 LTS (Xenial Xerus), which debuted in April 2016, will have up until April 2026 to perform their upgrade.. Ubuntu Administration,System Support Extension,Upgrading Linux,LTS Management,Extended Support. . LinuxSecurity.com Team
Mint users: Linux Mint 18.x has reached end of life (EOL). If you are running Linux Mint 18, 18.1, 18.2, or 18.3, your OS will continue to work but you’ll no longer receive important security updates from the repositories. Update now to ensure your system remains secure! . Clem Lefebvre, head of the Linux Mint project, has announced the end of life (EOL) of Linux Mint 18 and its subsequent point releases. Linux Mint 18 was released five years ago and was based on Ubuntu 16.04 LTS which is also reaching the end of its life too. If you are running Linux Mint 18, 18.1, 18.2, or 18.3, your operating system will continue to work but you’ll no longer receive important security updates from the repositories. Lefebvre is advising users to back up their data before performing a fresh install of the latest Linux Mint 20.1 which will be kept up-to-date until 2025. . Linux Mint 19.x is now supported. Transition today to ensure ongoing security patches and assistance for your platform.. Linux Mint, End Of Life, System Upgrade, Security Updates. . LinuxSecurity.com Team
In an effort to improve security, Linux Mint has announced that it will inform users about important security updates - but not enforce them. Do you think Mint has made the right call? . Last month , the Linux Mint team announced that it wanted to do something about systems not being upgraded to newer versions. Systems that were not supported anymore were vulnerable to attacks, and the same was true for systems that had not the latest security updates installed. This week, the team announced that it found a solution to the problem. Good news is, that it does not involve enforcing updates on user systems. Instead, the team created a notification system for updates that informs users about them. The link for this article located at ghacks.net is no longer available. . Linux Mint has introduced mechanisms to notify users regarding security patches, reinforcing overall system security whilst upholding user independence.. Linux Mint Notifications, Security Updates, User Choice, System Upgrades. . LinuxSecurity.com Team
Despite early warnings, pleading and even financial lures to upgrade systems from the Windows XP operating system, many of our core services are still running on the soon to be retired system.. It's not just our grandparents that stick stubbornly to Windows XP, which is due for an end-of-life and support retirement on April 8 this year. According to Symantec researchers, the banking industry is likely to be affected on this date, as 95 percent of our ATMs -- computer systems that control access to funds -- are still running on the archaic system. The link for this article located at ZDNet Blogs is no longer available. . It's not just our grandparents that stick stubbornly to Windows XP, which is due for an end-of-life . despite, early, warnings, pleading, financial, lures, upgrade, systems, windows. . LinuxSecurity.com Team
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