On 05/06/2015 06:04 AM, lhecking@users.sourceforge.net wrote:
You have several hundred more Critical or Important security updates outstanding. If that box touches the Internet in any way, it is likely compromised. Just in the last 6 months there are 21 Important or Critical updates.
That is an important qualifier: *If* that box touches the Internet in any way. Although one might add that attacks on the LAN can be nastier since there usually is local access.
While I'm all for keeping machines current, there are production environments where upgrading is a huge pain or outright impossible. Where any upgrades need to undergo a rigorous QA process. Where an outdated environment including equally outdated production tools needs to be maintained, on the chance e.g. that a customer return requires reworking an old part. I would consider it part of list etiquette to not second-guess those who for one reason or another make a conscious decision to stick to a particular environent.
I will no doubt be told that CentOS 5.4 = CentOS 5.11 = CentOS 5, ie. the same OS, but this is not strictly true. For example, it would appear that autofs breakage and performance loss is at a minimum in 5.4.
There :)
Its your box and your job ... so :)