Can we make security updates email less chatty?

Webmin
1
SYSTEM INFORMATION
OS type and version Debian Linux 13
Webmin version 2.653
Theme version 26.50.4
Package updates All installed packages are up to date

Ce we do something about the emails sent by Webmin when there are security updates? As in not hourly spam with notification about the same package?

Something more in the lines of this example:

  • checks for updates, hey there is a security related one among those = 1 email and that’s it;
  • checks later; nothing else security related = do not mail me again about the previous update;
  • checks again, another security update = 1 email with both security updates, and no other emails until it gets to another security update;
  • so on.

Else kinda ruins everything, you get tens of emails until you do something about it, for something like:

A security update to libexpat1 from 2.8.2-1~deb13u1 to 2.8.3-1~deb13u1 is available.
2

Set the cron to run less often.

3

This is not what I am asking here.

4

you can fully control security updates

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5

I am on the side of not making Webmin too top heavy with extra code.

I have security updates set to get installed so I only get notified once.

The non- security updates I get notified every hour like you. I just decided that it’s not too hard for me to delete them.

If for any reason I am unable to access my mailbox at least once a day then I would edit the cron and slow it down a lot. Is there any point to having it check every hour if nothing is then done about it? I might do it anyway.

Or I might set it to install all updates so there will only ever be one notification.

There are choices.

That still isn’t what you asked for, and realistically there is a good chance that your prayers will be answered.

6

What would be the trigger to reset sending the emails?

7

Again - not the point of the post

8

I don’t do automatic updates on servers. I decide on my own what and when. And I check stuff.

So please stop - I am asking for improving an existing feature that spams the administrator with the same info again and again.

If the Webmin team decides that’s a no no, fine. Otherwise please keep to the behavior reported and not try to alter the behavior of the sysadmin.

9

Do you even need notification?

12

That’s a good suggestion, easy to implement and we’ll look to include it in the Webmin 2.660 release.

A new option, “New updates are found or an update action is performed,” will be added to the “Send email when” field to do exactly what you suggested.

13

Nice one - same day service too. :slight_smile:

14

@randomz Yes, it is almost like you “fought” for this - though I trust you are talking about improving the feature, otherwise I will have to rephrase the prompt about the pizza recipe :rofl:

Thanks a bunch @Ilia

15

I always appreciate the good work done here by staff regardless of whether I thought it was needed.

I also understand that you did need it and said: “realistically there is a good chance that your prayers will be answered.”

Enjoy.