This tutorial shows how to automatically download and install security updates in remote Ubuntu 12.04.

If you manage remote ubuntu via ssh, follow the steps:

  • 1. ssh to remote ubuntu, and install unattended-upgrades by:
    sudo apt-get install unattended-upgrades
  • 2. Run
    sudo dpkg-reconfigure unattended-upgrades

    say “yes” to the prompt to enable automatic security updates.

If there’s a desktop environment:

  • Head to Ubuntu Software Center -> Edit -> SoftWare Sources -> Updates tab, set “When there are security updates” to “Download and install automatically”