New Linux user here. Is this really how I'm supposed to install apps on Linux? - eviltoast

https://mullvad.net/en/help/install-mullvad-app-linux

Trying to install VPN and these are the instructions Mullvad is giving me. This is ridiculous. There must be a more simple way. I know how to follow the instructions but I have no idea what I’m doing here. Can’t I just download a file and install it? I’m on Ubuntu.

  • XTL@sopuli.xyz
    72·
    10 months ago

    Any instructions that say sudo curl should be thrown out immediately.

    • bjorney@lemmy.ca
      4·
      10 months ago

      Is curl so untrusted that you would prefer to use 3 commands (one which still needs root permissions) instead?

      • XTL@sopuli.xyz
        2·
        10 months ago

        The point is that an HTTPS request does not need root permissions. Other steps might, and that’s indeed high risk.

        • bjorney@lemmy.ca
          2·
          10 months ago

          The curl that ships with apt is ubiquitous enough that I trust doing sudo curl xxx yyy more than enough if it means avoiding typing curl xxx /tmp/yyy && sudo mv /tmp/yyy yyy

    • jet@hackertalks.comEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      Agreed it’s not best practice. But when somebody is saying the individual step-by-step is too complicated, you want to give them the simplest command possible. Even if it is more risky. It’s a trade off of accessibility versus complexity