The Bandwidth Hog
Ubuntu utilizes a robust package management system (APT) to ensure your system remains secure and functional. By default, the graphical Software Updater tool is configured to run silently in the background, checking for security patches and application updates daily. Crucially, it is often configured to automatically download these updates so they are ready for installation. If you are developing on a slow network connection, or if you are running a server on a strict data cap, this automatic background downloading can suddenly throttle your network speed without any visible warning or progress bar.
Taking Manual Control of Packages
To retain strict control over your network usage and stop Ubuntu from automatically downloading system updates in the background, you must configure the Software Updater’s specific behavior preferences.
Open the main Ubuntu application launcher (press the Super/Windows key) and type Software & Updates. Click the icon to open the configuration tool. Navigate to the Updates tab at the top of the window. Look for the dropdown menu explicitly labelled When there are other updates. By default, this might be set to “Download automatically.” Click the dropdown menu and change it to Display immediately. (Ensure “When there are security updates” is also set to “Display immediately”). Click the Close button at the bottom. Ubuntu will still check for updates on its scheduled interval, but it will now simply pop up a notification box asking for your permission before it transfers a single byte of data.