Logwatch is a very powerful log analyzer for Linux systems. It is basically used to monitor all the logs of a Linux server and then it can generate a detailed log report. The report is delivered either on command-line or through a dedicated email address.

Here at Ibmi Media, as part of our Server Management Services, we regularly help our Customers to perform related Server Monitoring queries on Linux Systems.

In this context, we shall look into how to install and use the Logwatch utility on a Linux Mint 20 system.

How to Install Logwatch on Linux Mint 20 ?

To have Logwatch installed on your Linux Mint system, you need to go on with the following sequence of steps.

1. Update your System

To begin, you should carry out a complete system update with the command below:

$ sudo apt-get update –y

2. Install Logwatch 

Here, you can install Logwatch on your system with the following command:

$ sudo apt-get install logwatch –y

3. Check version of Logwatch Installed

Once Logwatch is installed successfully on your system, you can check its version by executing the command shown below:

$ logwatch --version

In the output, you will see the version of the Logwatch utility Installed on the system.

How to Use Logwatch on Linux Mint 20 ?

To use Logwatch on your Linux Mint 20 system, you need to perform the steps stated below.

1. Create the Logwatch Directory

Before using Logwatch, we need to create a dedicated directory for it with the help of the following command:

$ sudo mkdir /var/cache/logwatch

2. Run the Logwatch Command

Once a dedicated Logwatch directory has been created, you can execute the Logwatch command as follows:

$ logwatch

This command will generate a detailed Logwatch report. You can scroll down to view the contents of the entire Logwatch report.

How to Uninstall Logwatch from Linux Mint 20 ?

Now, if you want to remove the Logwatch utility from your system, then you will have to follow the two steps that are mentioned below.

1. Remove the Logwatch Directory

First, you need to remove the dedicated Logwatch directory that you have created with the help of the following command:

$ sudo rmdir /var/cache/logwatch

2. Remove the Logwatch Utility

Once the Logwatch directory is removed, you can remove this utility from your Linux Mint 20 system with the command shown below:

$ sudo apt-get purge --autoremove logwatch 

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