Re: automatic update on Mac OS X

SMiller_at_unimin.com
Date: 09/02/03

  • Next message: Anders Reed-Mohn: "Re: Block a user's outgoing email" 
    To: security-basics@securityfocus.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
********************************
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Attend Black Hat Briefings & Training Federal, September 29-30 (Training), 
October 1-2 (Briefings) in Tysons Corner, VA; the world's premier 
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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
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