New Ubuntu App Centre and Enhanced Security Features in the Latest Release of Ubuntu 23.10

The latest release of Ubuntu 23.10, also referred to as Mantic Minotaur, has been unveiled by Canonical. This refreshed version of the Linux distribution showcases various updates, including an advancement to Linux kernel 6.5, the introduction of a novel Ubuntu App Center, support for TMP-backed full-disk encryption, a dedicated firmware updater, compatibility with new hardware (such as Raspberry Pi 6), and more.

For individuals using desktops, the updated version can be obtained from the official Ubuntu website’s download section. At present, only the legacy ISO is accessible as the administrators are addressing a recent snag with the official launch of Ubuntu Desktop 23.10 and Ubuntu Budgie 23.10 versions.

Transitioning to Ubuntu 23.10

Present Ubuntu desktop users will be notified about the upgrade a few days post the official announcement of the release. However, if you wish to expedite the process, you can manually inspect for updates. Execute the subsequent commands in a terminal window to ensure that your software is current before proceeding with the installation of the updated Ubuntu version:

• sudo apt update
• sudo apt upgrade

Upon executing the above commands, initiate the Software Updater via the application menu. In the Preferences section of the Updates tab, change the setting for “Notify me of a new Ubuntu version” to “For any new version” to receive notifications for interim releases (those ending with *.10).

Support for Ubuntu 23.10 will persist until July 2024.

Significant Changes in Ubuntu 23.10

The latest Ubuntu version incorporates Linux kernel 6.5, which introduces several noteworthy enhancements. These encompass ACPI support on RISC-V, provision for Intel’s Topology Aware Register and PM Capsule Interface for enhanced power management, as well as distinct memory permissions on ARM64.

Enhanced Security with AppArmor Profile

Ubuntu 23.10 introduces a multitude of security upgrades, including the implementation of the AppArmor profile. This addition facilitates the utilization of unprivileged user namespaces, albeit it is deactivated by default. Enabling the AppArmor profile impacts all unprivileged and unconstrained applications on the system.

To temporarily activate this security element, you can test it for the current session by executing the subsequent command: echo 1 | sudo tee /proc/sys/kernel/apparmor_restrict_unprivileged_userns

For persistent application, establish a fresh file /etc/sysctl.d/60-apparmor-namespace.conf and append the line kernel.apparmor_restrict_unprivileged_userns=1 to it. A system reboot is mandatory to finalize the process.

The release notes provide troubleshooting solutions for users encountering issues subsequent to activating the security feature.

Furthermore, Ubuntu 23.10 now incorporates TPM-backed full-disk encryption as an experimental functionality. This encryption negates the necessity to manually input a passphrase during system boot, as the TPM chip manages this step, offering added layers of security. Nonetheless, users preferring to input the passphrase can opt to continue doing so. Additional information concerning this change is available on the Ubuntu blog.

Additional Modifications in Ubuntu 23.10

Here are some other notable modifications in this fresh release:

• Ubuntu App Center supersedes Snap Store.
• An autonomous Firmware Updater application has been included.
• Netplan is the default settings-storage backend for Network Manager.
• The default installation mode for Ubuntu Desktop installations is streamlined.
• Reintroduction of support for ZFS guided installations.
• Inclusion of ADSys Active Directory Certificates auto-enrollment to simplify connections to corporate Wi-Fi and VPN networks.
• Upgrade of GNOME to embody GNOME 45 features and fixes.
• Updates to the pre-installed apps (Firefox, LibreOffice, and Thunderbird).
• Installation of the fonts-ubuntu-classic package for accessing fonts from earlier Ubuntu versions.

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