Hi, I recently published this in the wrong forum and didn't get any answers. So here goes with this forum... I'm a beginner. What log file analysis program do you use? Are their any recent open source developments? I've heard of webalizer, but there don't seem to be any recent developments of that. What's the best for a professional that uses linux? My host is 1and1, so need something suitable for those types of files. So far I have just been using the 1and1 control penal to look at my stats, which is not really good enough. 70% of the information is excluded or unknown. I want to be able to target the pattern of specific users, and especially potential hackers. I submitted by site to a Russian only directory recently by mistake and in response I was told that I would be subject to hack attack. So I really need to get my act together and start using a professional program to find out more about my visitors and how they use my site. Thanks, I am greatful for your excellent and very kind and helpful advice, in advance
you can create a google analytics account... it has some nice tools and I think it may help you a little
Aside from the normal open-source log analyzers, have you considered what data is important to you? Depending on your site, you may want to know different things, like serch engine phrases, referring pages, vistior paths, etc. As for using a log analyzer for security reasons, I would recommend against that. It is only effective to be pro-active about your security. Plus, many DoS attacks are listing in your raw log and the anlyzers won't have a special report of it for you. If you use a third party tracker like cool_i mentioned above, you will not have additional load on your site, nor will you have a growing log file to fill up your disk space. While Google analytics is useful, I also recommend that you try GoStats (which updates instantly and can show you advanced visitor paths). Anyway, best of luck with finding a solution, and remember, the best solution is the one that is easiest and fastest for you while giving you the information that you need.
I use Stat Counter (http://www.statcounter.com/[/URL]) - it gives you a basic short-term overview but it's not so good for a long time. I might try Google analytics
statcounter does limit you to 100 or 500 hits. GoStats doesn't have such a limit so you can compare trends over the long period.
Your host should also be supporting AwStas. Contact them to confirm. However, you can use free statistics tools such as freecounterandstats.com, histats.com, google analytics, etc.
I would really suggest a good install of Google Analytics if possible. This is a good scalable solutions that cost zeo money, but definately some time to learn to use it to its full extent. It sounds to me like you are maybe looking for something that logs IP addresses or something so that you could pin point a possible attack? As far as that goes, I think it might be a little more difficult. I really can't see where the average tracking tool would protect, or determine this kind threat.