How to Install Logwatch on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS

Reading Time: < 1 minuteLogwatch is a Perl-based log management tool for analyzing, summarizing, and reporting on a server’s log files. It is most often used to send a short digest of server’s log activity to a system administrator. What are log files? Logs are application-generated files useful for tracking down and understanding what has happened in the past.

• These instructions are intended specifically for installing the Logwatch on Ubuntu 12.04 LTS.
• I’ll be working from a Liquid Web Core Managed Ubuntu 12.04 LTS server, and I’ll be logged in as root.

First, you’ll follow a simple best practice: ensuring the list of available packages is up to date before installing anything new. apt-get -y update Then let’s install Logwatch and any required packages: apt-get -y install logwatch During the install process you may be prompted to configure Postfix: Go over the options, and then select OK. Then, you’ll have to select a mail option: In this case we are going to configure Postfix to send mail locally only; we’ll select the Local only option, and then select OK to continue. Next we’ll configure the mail name: Typically the mail name will be the hostname of the server on which you’re installing Logwatch; select Ok to finish the installation. Local Configuration Options can be added in: /etc/logwatch/conf/logwatch.conf Default Configuration Options can be found in: /usr/share/logwatch/default.conf/logwatch.conf It is best practice to leave the Default Configuration as is, and edit the Local Configuration option, which is under /etc as listed above.