n00b: Backend auto-upgrade etc issues (permissions?)

OK, I’m pretty sure this is a permissions issue, but I can’t figure out which files to change, what I should change them to, and whether it’s safe to leave them that way for hacking/security concerns…

I cannot automatically install or upgrade anything. I can’t even change header images or anything like that using the backend database with a web browser. It won’t even allow plugins or themes to create folders and files.

I use cpanel on my server, and I’ve done everything I can tell to reduce my firewall.

So far, I’ve been able to do everything manually (changing header and background images, and editing stylesheets were very interesting…), BUT it’s a pain in the a**!

And now I’m having backup issues – it would be so much easier to do this automatically.

So, can somebody help me out here?

Thanks