How-To Enable Livepatch
Canonical has offered a new service for Ubuntu users that can update or live patch the kernel without having to restart your system. This will offer users the highest level of security while minimizing the downtime of the system. This new feature works with Ubuntu 16.04 and newer versions. This feature used to be a premium feature; however, Canonical Livepatch Service is now free for users to use on three machines.
You may have notice a Tip under "The software on this computer is up to date." message that says, "You can use Livepatch to keep your computer more secure between restarts." This is an indicator to let you know that you can enable the Livepatch service on your machine. If you would like to enable this service, follow the steps below.
How to enable the Canonical Livepatch Service
1. You'll need to log in using your Ubuntu One account. If you do not have an Ubuntu One account, you can
create one for free at https://login.ubuntu.com/4dPLHLgwf6tU6bOR/+decide.
2. Then go to the Managed live kernal patching to get your token for your machine. Click on the "Get your
Livepatch token" button.
How to enable the Canonical Livepatch Service
1. You'll need to log in using your Ubuntu One account. If you do not have an Ubuntu One account, you can
create one for free at https://login.ubuntu.com/4dPLHLgwf6tU6bOR/+decide.
2. Then go to the Managed live kernal patching to get your token for your machine. Click on the "Get your
Livepatch token" button.
3. The Livepatch Auth Service will require you to log in wit your Ubuntu One account.
4. You will be given a key for your machine.
5. Open your Terminal and enter the first string and press Enter and type in your password.
Type: sudo snap install canonical-livepatch
Type: sudo snap install canonical-livepatch
6. This will install the Livepatch.
7. Next, enter the second line from the Managed live kernal patching website and then press the Enter key.
Do not forget to include the entire key. Type: sudo canonical-livepatch enable <your key here>
Do not forget to include the entire key. Type: sudo canonical-livepatch enable <your key here>
8. You will be prompted to inform you that your device was successfully enabled using your machine's
token key.
token key.
9. You can check the status of your machine by entering the following in the Terminal:
canonical-livepatch status --verbose
canonical-livepatch status --verbose
10. It will display your machine's information such as machine id, machine token, architecture, cpu model, and
info on your kernel.
info on your kernel.
The next time you check for updates, the message: "Tip: You can use Livepatch to keep your computer
more secure between restarts." should no longer appear.
more secure between restarts." should no longer appear.
If you ever notice a red Livepatch warning in your system tray, then open your Terminal and enter the following: sudo canonical-livepatch refresh
Dec 1, 2018