Exposing SQL Server 2000 to the Internet safely

Question

I've got a SQL Server 2000 box that I'd like to put on "the Internet" so that developers could connect remotely without VPN access.

What's the safest way to do so? It might be temporary, e.g. every once in a while, but it's definitely necessary.

Thanks,

Rob

Answer 1

Short answer - don't do this.

Long answer:

Install good firewall on the box.

Install and run ssh server on it.

Open only the ssh port.

Your devs can use PuTTY or any other ssh client to "tunnel" the sql port over the ssh connection.