Re: [MLUG] Server locked up

[Will Maier <willmaier AT ml1.net>]

On Tue, Oct 16, 2007 at 08:46:09PM -0500, Claude wrote:
> Every once in a while my webserver locks up. When I turn on the
> monitor the character screen has all these errors on it and is
> froze. I have to shut it off and start it again. Is there a log
> file that lists all the errors on the screen? 

/var/log/messages might have something interesting in it. If it
doesn't, it'd be useful to write down the messages you see next time
the box crashes and post those messages to the list. Chances are,
someone here will be able to point you towards a fix based on the
actual messages.

> Is it possible this happens when someone is running a program
> constantly trying to login? 

Hard to say without seeing the messages, though I don't know of any
kernel panic or crash caused by repeated login attempts, and I'd be
surprised if one existed.

> There is nothing there worth taking.  

Do you have an internet connection? Is it 'always on', like most DSL
or cable subscriptions? If so, you have something very much worth
taking. Even if you don't, the scripts that mindlessly scan parts of
the net have no idea what you have or don't have -- they're just as
happy to zombify a hapless homeuser's games box as they are to
compromise a University lab machine. As long as it's connected to
the net, a box can make money for its nefarious controller.

Just because you don't have the launch codes for a nuclear silo on
your box doesn't mean it's worthless.

-- 

[Will 
Maier]-----------------[willmaier AT ml1.net|http://www.lfod.us/]