security issues

[-@23%^yu*]

I came across an article stating that one of the ubuntu developers claims that linux mint is vulnerable as they donot provide updates to xorg and some other packages. And internet banking is not safe in it. To that statement the linux mint team replied that it is for stability issues. Is the same security issue being contined in the latest version i.e., 17. and is it safe to do internat banking and all kinds of stuff?

[buzzingrobot]

Old news of debatable accuracy.

Mint uses a different update policy than Ubuntu. (Remember that Mint uses Ubuntu's repos, so any security patch available to Ubuntu is also available to Mint.)

Mint categorizes updates in 5 tiers. Tiers 4 and 5 are considered risky by Mint's definition, in the sense that Mint believes they are more likely to produce breakage and instability. Packages in tier 4 and 5 are, by default, not upgraded.

In Mint 17, this default is easily altered and configured by a user, up to and including accepting all updates, no questions asked.

[-@23%^yu*]

In Mint 17, this default is easily altered and configured by a user, up to and including accepting all updates, no questions asked.

How to configure mint to install all of the updates in tier 4 and 5?

[carl4926]

Change the settings in the Sources

[buzzingrobot]

Yes, it's in the update app. Check Preferences. Also, scroll the display down and you'll see additional options.

IMO, whether leaving things as they are by default or allowing all updates improves or weakens your security is very much dependent on your own bowsing and downloading habits and luck. Updates do patch potential security risks. Updates -- because they introduce change -- may also unknowingly create new potential risks.