Analysis Tools for Firewall Logfiles

For the Record

Article from Issue 50/2005
Author(s):

Netfilter firewalls create highly detailed logfiles that nobody really wants to inspectmanually. Logfile analysis tools like IPtables Log Analyzer,Wallfire Wflogs,and FWlogwatch help administrators keep track of developments and filter for importantmessages.

In a firewall-protected environment, the administrator must keep track of developments by logging as many transactions as possible. At the same time, admins want to avoid wading through megabytes of logfiles just because they are worried about missing a clue. Logfile Helpers Protocal analysis tools provide a solution to this dilemma. Linux users have many options for firewall analysis programs. In this article, we’ll look at three alterna-tives: IPtables Log Analyzer [1], WFlogs from the Wallfire project [2], and FWlogwatch [3]. All three programs support a wide range of protocol formats and serve up the results as neatly formatted HTML pages; WFlogs and FWlogwatch additionally have realtime modes. IPtables Log Analyzer is the only tool to use a database for message storage.

Buy this article as PDF

Express-Checkout as PDF
Price $2.95
(incl. VAT)

Buy Linux Magazine

SINGLE ISSUES
 
SUBSCRIPTIONS
 
TABLET & SMARTPHONE APPS
Get it on Google Play

US / Canada

Get it on Google Play

UK / Australia

Related content

  • KTools: KMyFirewall

    Linux has a fantastic selection of firewalls for securing stand-alone computers or whole networks. Although you can use IPTables to set up a firewall, the configuration is often the most difficult step. KMyFirewall offers a powerful, user-friendly, GUI-based approach.

  • Firewalls Intro

    Firewalls are becoming evermore sophisticated. Luckily, the tools for managing firewalls are becoming simpler and more accessible for ordinary users

  • Persistent iptables

    The Linux iptables packet filter lacks an easy way to load rules automatically after restarting a system, but you can automate this process several ways.

  • Singwall

    We’ll show you how to build your own Netfilter extension with this example of a musical firewall.

  • Netfilter's Recent Module

    Netfilter’s Recent module builds a temporary blacklist to keep intruders off your network.

comments powered by Disqus
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters

Support Our Work

Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

Learn More

News