What Is An Access Log?
An access log is a file type that is used to keep a record of all the requests that were made by people and bots from a website. Log file strings usually include brief notes about the requests made for the HTML files, embedded graphic images, and any other files passed on.
For instance, a user navigates through a website in order to find a product, and the web servers fetch product images and other details. This step is noted in the access log as the request by the website visitor for image resources.
Why are Access Logs Important?
The access logs also contain information, including timestamps, referral addresses, requests for specific web pages, etc. The access logs can also help identify if any recurring patterns can be taken advantage of.
Here are more reasons behind keeping track:
- Access logs are responsible for recording every time a request to the server has been made. This includes requests from search engine crawlers as well. Due to this, it becomes possible for website owners to understand how frequently Googlebot crawls through their website, the pages being prioritized, and the overall time taken to crawl through each website. Inconsistencies in these data points can help identify any potential underlying issues that must be addressed.
- Access logs give constructive insights into how website visitors to your website navigate through the website architecture. Understanding this data can help improve the overall user experience offered by the website. Additionally, these log files also highlight the pages that are being visited frequently and accordingly refine the overall website navigation.
- The log files can be used to identify any broken links or missing links on the websites that could hamper user navigation. Technical SEO concerns like slow loading time, unnecessary redirects, or 4xx, 3xx, and 5xx errors can be tracked and fixed.
- As access log files are created for all requests, any suspicious activities can be tracked and traced to potentially vulnerable pages. Identifying such issues ensures you can protect the website against hacking attempts or cyber-attacks.
How to Find Access Logs
Access log files are stored on the web server, so when you want to access your files, you can do the following:
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By using a File Transfer Protocol
You will need an FTP client on your computer, a valid FTP address (along with a password). These information pieces are usually available in the hosting provider’s administrative panel.
- Open an FTP client and initiate a new connection to your server.
- You will be asked for your login details for safety purposes.
- Enter a server file directory once you have logged in.
- You will be able to find access logs now.
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Checking the control panel
Hosting platforms usually have access logs stored in the “file management,” “files,” and “file manager” part of the dashboard. By checking them, you will be able to find the log files.
Types of Access Logs
Not all access logs are the same, making it crucial to understand which ones suit your needs best. Here are some common access log types to keep in consideration:
- Firewall logs to access information about the source of the request and the destination IP address (including port numbers) to identify any potential hacking attempt or cyber attack.
- Web filter logs to understand the number of users who are attempting to access URLs that are restricted. This access file also records the system’s response.
- Antivirus logs contain crucial data on scanned items and settings that have been aligned for each task. The log files also keep a history of actions performed by individual files.
- Error logs are vital information pieces about a server’s failed request. It happens when someone tries accessing a file that is either non-existent or inaccessible on the server. They are particularly essential logs for developers.
- Agent logs that can give insights on information about the web client’s type (device, browser, and application details) that was used to make a request on the server.
- Referrer log files are responsible for recording URL information the visitor was on before they made a request to the server. These log files help find the exact origin of an information request and the web pages referring traffic to your website and, as a result, to your server.
Common formats for log files
As different access files perform different functions, they also differ in formats to be able to do this. Here are some common types of log files to know about:
- W3C format: This format is popularly used by Microsoft IIS servers. It ensures that the HTML code being used by your website (alongside other codes) is in the right order and free of errors.
- ELB format: This particular format is set in stone as Amazon created it. Amazon’s ELB servers automatically distribute the incoming traffic across multiple targets.
- Apache format: These formats are commonly used by Nginx and Apache servers for efficient and quick data storage and retrieval.
- Custom formats: As the name suggests, these formats are custom-made and can be developed based on the access log requirements of a website.
Bottomline
Access logs are important as they provide incredibly useful information and data about the requests being made on your website. These log files can be used to improve the quality of user experience as well as protect the website from the malicious intent of others. However, it is essential to use appropriate access log formats to retrieve data in tangible formats that can be used to secure your website and ensure your website is guarded against any potential risks that can cause information loss.
Access logs can tell you a lot about your website visitor’s behavior, identify suspicious activities, and take steps to protect data on your website. Read more
