I have a VPS unmanaged and have installed CentOS 6.3, mysql 5.1.69, php 5.3.3 and apache 2.2.15No formal or otherwise education in computer programming so trying to follow as many documented guidelines as I can to close any obvious security holes.Is it is best practice to use only current versions of each ? Are the ones I am using now too out dated?
Is it best practice to update mysql , php and apache on linux regularly to current version?
software installation;upgrade;distros
Unless you have a particular reason, just use the packages provided by your distribution.  That is, after all, the point of using a Linux distribution.  You get stability, some expectation of compatibility, and security updates  all with the convenience of yum update.If you are running an application that requires a particular version, or if your whole business revolves around your web application, you'll know to make an exception.MySQL and PHP, in particular, are notorious for having version-specific bugs or changes in behaviour.  The MySQL release notes are full of design decisions that were implemented in one micro-release, only to be reverted in a later release.