Ubuntu 26.04 surprised me - this upcoming release is seriously secure

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ZDNET's key takeaway

Ubuntu 26.04 will be available for free in April.
There are lots of additional security features and GNOME 50.
This latest release looks and feels very much like previous editions.

If you've spent any time reading about, hearing about, or using Linux, then you know that Ubuntu is one of the most popular distributions on the market.

Ubuntu has a very predictable release cycle that looks like this:

.04 releases arrive in April
.10 releases arrive in October

This happens like clockwork and makes it easy to prepare for the release (or just get excited about it). Few operating systems operate with such regularity.

Also: 10 things I always do after installing Ubuntu to instantly improve the experience

This April, the next .04 release will be unleashed, and it takes security seriously. You can get a deep dive on what that means from my esteemed colleague, Steven Vaughan-Nichols, in his article, "Inside Canonical's plan to make Ubuntu 26.04 the Linux desktop that finally goes mainstream."

I kicked the tires of the latest daily build of Ubuntu 26.04, and my first impression was, "Yep, this is Ubuntu." It wasn't until I dug a bit deeper that I realized this is actually a pretty important release.

What are the stand-out features of this distribution?

Ubuntu 26.04 has several notable features that come together to make this a special distribution. Those features include:

GNOME 50 - The big deal about this release of the popular desktop environment is that it finally shrugs off the last vestiges of X11 from the core components (such as Mutter and GNOME Shell). That means starting with this release, Ubuntu is strictly a Wayland-only distribution.
A Rust-y core - Ubuntu 26.04 adopts some memory-safe Rust implementations, such as sudo-rs (which offers better memory safety, improved error messages, and better code management) and utils/core utils (new Rust-based core utilities such as cp, ls, mv, cp, and more).
Enhancements to Wayland - Wayland has been enhanced in 26.04 with Mutter patches that improve performance with Nvidia GPUs to dramatically reduce blocked frame time (the duration during which the main thread of a program is unable to respond to high-priority tasks).
amd64v3 - Optional packages variants will be available for new CPUs for improved performance.
Unified Software Management - The Ubuntu App Store (aka GNOME Software) will now be used for the management of all package formats, such as DEB, Snap, and Flatpak.
AMD ROCm native packages - 26.04 will provide native ROCm packages to simplify AMD GPU setup for AI and machine learning.

How challenging is it to install?

If you've ever installed Ubuntu, you understand how easy this operating system is to install. I would go so far as to say that the Ubuntu installer (Ubiquity) is the easiest of any operating system available.

Also: The easiest way to try out Ubuntu Linux

This latest release of Ubuntu doesn't change the installation process. It's similar to most modern versions of the distribution, so it's a point-and-click affair that anyone can handle.

What are the benefits of using this distribution?

First, Ubuntu 26.04 is all about improved security. Starting with Ubuntu 25.10, TPM-backed FED (Trusted Platform Module-backed Federal Employee Digital Identity) reached general availability. TPM-backed FED serves to protect sensitive data. It also ensures secure authentication by isolating critical information from potential threats. For Ubuntu 26.04, there will be new features based on this, such as the ability to add/remove PIN/password after installation and re-encrypt a disk directly from the Security Center app.

And then there's now native support for Intel Trust Domain Extensions for more secure, isolated virtual machines that use AES-128 hardware encryption.

There's also an updated version of OpenSSH and OpenSSL that includes hybrid post-quantum algorithms.

That's a lot. But what about new features that directly affect how Ubuntu is used?

Also: I rescued my dying 2017 MacBook Pro with Ubuntu and it works like a charm (mostly)

One of the biggest user-facing changes involves Snap applications. Ubuntu 26.04 includes a more granular permissions framework that will prompt users whenever a Snap application attempts to access things like hardware features or certain locations within the filesystem hierarchy.

What type of user is this distribution best suited for?

Any discussion about Ubuntu Linux always turns to user-friendliness, and 26.04 doesn't make much change in that arena. Although some would argue the Ubuntu take on GNOME isn't exactly designed for those migrating from Windows or MacOS, it's still easy to use. The difficulty lies in knowing where to click to access the Application Overview.

Click the Ubuntu logo at the bottom left corner, and you'll see all of the installed applications. Yes, it's a shift from the traditional desktop metaphor, but so are the Android and iOS UI, and if people can make the shift to those mobile interfaces, they can get up to speed on the Ubuntu desktop as easily.

As far as who Ubuntu 26.04 is best suited for, I would have to say just about anyone. If you're looking to test the waters of Linux, you cannot go wrong with Ubuntu, and 26.04 sticks with what has worked for iteration after iteration.

My take on Ubuntu 26.04

If I had to sum up Ubuntu 26.04, I would have to quote musician David Byrne and say that it's the same as it ever was… and that's not a bad thing. Sure, there are a lot of under-the-hood changes that the user won't notice, but those changes (along with the user-facing additions) come together to make a brilliant Linux distribution.

Also: 8 ways to protect your privacy on Linux and keep your data safe

On the surface, Ubuntu 26.04 looks very much like 24.04, which looked very much like 22.04. That breeds familiarity, which should make users feel right at home.

Unfortunately, if you're looking for major, user-facing changes, you'll be disappointed. If, on the other hand, you want an operating system that just works, Ubuntu 26.04 will be right up your alley.

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