Step 1) OS Restore Step 2) Put the Unit on a private IP so you can install the packages* Step 3) Reboot and go live
various subnets all over the internet. So putting an unprotected box on the internet without the patches and trying to install them while a port scan can get to it.....is well....asking for it.
I'd agree -- I put a brand new box on the public net and it took only 4 hours before someone tried to see if anonymous FTP was available on it. I put Portsentry on and it was 20 minutes before someone scanned the box. It's not safe on the 'net anymore.
Secure the box before you go live. Keep up to date on security announcements. Backup regularly and often. Learn UNIX. You will be cracked -- accept that right now and work to make sure that the crackers are not given an easy time of doing it.
Cobalts are nice because there is a lot of stuff already setup on the box, but that doesn't mean that you can treat them like you will never have to descend to the UNIX command line.
If this doesn't appeal to you -- sorry, I think you need to find a different job.
-- Frostie Sprout Vice President - Technology wyoming.com LLC (307) 856-6400