Support for Ubuntu 23.10 Version Ends, No Longer Receiving Security Updates: Users Urged to Upgrade Promptly
Brook.X
As a non-Long Term Support (LTS) release, Ubuntu 23.10 had only a few months of support lifecycle, reaching its end of life on July 11th. Consequently, it will no longer receive any security updates, even for critical vulnerabilities.
Typically, the support cycle for non-LTS versions of Ubuntu lasts only 9 months. These versions serve as interim releases between the LTS versions, with the majority of their users on the desktop version, thus allowing for rolling updates.
For most users, the end of the lifecycle is not a significant issue, as those on rolling updates simply need to upgrade to a subsequent supported version to continue receiving various security patches.
The above image is the mascot for Ubuntu 24.04 LTS: the Echidna.
Upgrading to Ubuntu 24.04 now is a good choice for users. This version is an LTS release, providing up to 10 years of security support. It comes with the latest GNOME 46 desktop environment and uses Linux Kernel version 6.8.
When Ubuntu 24.10 is released, users can proceed to upgrade to it. These version upgrades typically take about 30 minutes. It's advisable for users to back up their important files before upgrading to avoid any unforeseen issues.
Users who prefer not to frequently upgrade their system can directly opt for Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and remain on this version, as it offers 10 years of support. Following this, only routine software package updates are necessary, without the need for further system version upgrades.
Here's how to upgrade:
Open the terminal and run the command update-manager -c. When a new version is detected, an upgrade window will pop up. Users can then follow the prompts to confirm the upgrade.
It's recommended for users to stay at their computer during the upgrade, as manual confirmation may be needed for some third-party software library upgrades. In some cases, entering a password or other confirmations may be required. The entire upgrade process is expected to take around 30 minutes.
