Security Basics mailing list archives

Re: automatic update on Mac OS X


From: Dave Botsch <dwb7 () cornell edu>
Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2003 16:15:29 -0400

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 
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
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