Which log file would you check for issues regarding user authentication events?

The log file to check for issues regarding user authentication events is located at /var/log/secure. This file specifically records authentication attempts, including both successful and failed login attempts, as well as other security-related events, such as sudo and ssh access.

By monitoring the /var/log/secure file, you can quickly identify any unauthorized access attempts or issues related to user accounts, which is essential for maintaining security within a Linux environment. It provides detailed information that aids in troubleshooting authentication problems and understanding access patterns.

In contrast, other log files like /var/log/auth.log are more commonly found in Debian-based systems and serve a similar purpose, but they are not the default log file for Red Hat-based systems. The /var/log/user.log file records user-related information which may not specifically cover authentication events. Lastly, /var/log/messages contains a wide range of system messages and may not focus solely on authentication, making /var/log/secure the preferred choice for tracking user authentication events.