Have you ever tried to update akeebabackup or other component via ftp and not been able to ? If so follow these simple instructions:
1. First of all you have to change permissions on configuration.php from 444 to 777
2. Go to Global Configuration > Server Tab > Enable FTP settings
3. Enter your FTP details
4. Save Global Configuration
5. Remember to change permissions back to 444 on the configuration.php file