Analyzing Your Web Server Logs

  • S06E34
  • May 14, 2013

Robbie and Eric show you a few great tools for analyzing your Apache server logs on Linux, and even have some fun in light of Nostalgic Gamer Month.

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This episode is sponsored in part by: Adzerk, netTALK DUO, Netflix, Eco Alkalines.

Topics Covered:

  • Robbie Ferguson and Eric Kidd present from the Category5 studios in Barrie, Ontario.
  • Eric's birthday consisted of Chicken Cordon Bleu and cake.
  • {play 3:37}More retro gaming action on the Category5.TV web site, Google and Atari. Don't forget to catch Episode 292 if you're into retro gaming.
  • Check out Adzerk.com for the world's fastest asynchronous ad serving code.
  • {play 10:05}Chris Hadfield has returned to earth.
  • Welcome to our new registered viewers.
  • {play 11:37}Bing Translator now supports translations to and from Klingon. See Category5.TV translated into Klingon.(Thanks @rogaharvey)
  • {play 16:06}Feature: Visualizing, Analysing and Monitoring Apache Web Logs
    • Logstalgia is a fun (but otherwise potentially useless) way to visualize your Apache logs to make them look like a classic game of PONG.
      logstalgia --glow-intensity 1.5 --glow-duration 1 --glow-multiplier 3 -s 4 /var/log/apache2/access.log
    • GoAccess is an excellent tool for reviewing existing Apache log files (and it works with pretty much any log files, too).
      goaccess -f /var/log/apache2/access.log
      • How to use GoAccess, opening the detail view for each log category.
      • Using GoAcess may help you detect if someone has been trying to compromize your Apache web server.
      • Why some 404 errors may in fact represent someone trying to compromize (or determine vulnerabilities on) your server.
      • How to access F keys within your terminal on Linux (eg., F1 is supposed to bring up the help for GoAccess, but instead brings up Robbie's MATE Terminal help screen).
    • Apachetop allows you to monitor your Apache logs and server activity in realtime.
      apachetop -q -T 3600 -f /var/log/apache2/access.log
      • Monitoring your server in realtime during an attack to determine what files are potentially being compromised (allowing you to further investigate the log by grep'ing for the file and finding the offending IP).
  • {play 39:19}Top Stories from the Category5.TV Newsroom
  • {play 47:04}Viewer Questions
  • Viewer Question: I have decided to pursue my goal and become a famous YouTuber. I'll be making tutorials, animations and some gaming. I have FRAPS for my PC to record games, but what do I need to record from my PS3 or Wii?
    • Robbie recommends the AverMedia Game Broadcaster HD Video Capture Card for recording or streaming video game content. The writing on the box may be terrible, but the device itself works great because it allows full HD input from HDMI, Component and VGA and provides compressed video to your system... which means a lot of the work is done on the card and doesn't need a super-high-end computer. And it's only around $115.
  • Viewer Question: I have a problem with my computer. I use Zorin OS 6 and my mobile Internet doesn't work. It asks for the root password but says it is incorrect.
    Assuming you're using the correct sudo (root) password, so we're sorry—we're not sure on this one, but Robbie demonstrates how to get some output in the terminal to hopefully shed some light on the error.
  • Viewer Question: I've switched to Point Linux and have been able to work out pretty much any problem I've encountered, but I haven't had any luck getting Steam working. Any ideas?
    • To allow installation of 32-bit applications (like Steam) in Debian 7 (Point Linux), type this in terminal (as super user): dpkg --add-architecture i386
  • Viewer Question: Thanks for your help on Episode 294! I've got Handbrake DVD Ripper working on Point Linux. How much do I owe you?
    • Donations to Category5.TV can be made at cat5.tv/c.

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