fcheck(8)
NAME
fcheck - IDS filesystem baseline integrity checker
SYNOPSIS
fcheck [OPTIONS]
OPTIONS
The options to fcheck are defined below:
-a Automatic mode, do all directories in configuration file.
-c Create a new base line database for the given directory.
-d Directory names are to be monitored for changes also.
-f filename
Use alternate 'filename' as the configuration file.
-i Ignore creation times, check permissions, adds, deletes only.
-h Append the $HOSTNAME to the configuration filename.
-l Log information to logger rather than stdout messages.
-r Report mode, great for emailed status reports.
-s Sign each file with a CRC/hash signature.
-v Verbose mode, not used for report generation.
-x eXtended unix checks, # of links, UID, GID, Major/Minor checks.
DESCRIPTION
Overview
The fcheck utility is an IDS (Intrusion Detection System) which can be
used to monitor changes to any given filesystem.
Essentially, fcheck has the ability to monitor directories, files or
complete filesystems for any additions, deletions, and modifications.
It is configurable to exclude active log files, and can be ran as often
as needed from the command line or cron making it extremely difficult
to circumvent.
Operation and Getting Started
Flag passing is a fairly simple process. Primarily you will be using
two commands. One builds (or rebuilds) your baseline database files
(system snapshots). The second runs in a scanning comparison mode.
"fcheck -ac"
Builds the baseline database.
"fcheck -a"
Comparison scans the system against the baseline database.
For normal operation: Initially you will run fcheck by issuing the
command "fcheck -ac" to create the initial baseline file used for
comparison. Any runs after the creation of the basline will normally be
with the following flags "fcheck "-a"" to scan for any system
modifications.
After a scan is completed, you will probably want to have fcheck re-
create its baseline database for the next comparison cycle. Otherwise
you will be seeing every system modification since the last baseline
re-build. In other words, run the "fcheck -ac" command again.
(Advanced Note:) A more intensive system check would be accomplished by
building your database to include GID/UID checks, directories, and CRC
checks by using the following sample syntax:
"fcheck -cadsxlf /etc/fcheck/fcheck.cfg"
And provide periodic integrity scans from cron by using the following
sample syntax:
"fcheck -adsxlf /etc/fcheck/fcheck.cfg"
AUTHOR
Author: Copyright (C) 1996 Michael A. Gumienny <gumienny@hotmail.com> Debianized by: Graham Simpson <gsi@eggconnect.net>
SEE ALSO
Please also refer to the excellent README and INSTALL instructions provided with the package /usr/share/doc/fcheck.
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