Platforms / Security resources

MITRE ATT&CK

Enterprise v20 / 15 tactics / 227 techniques / 479 sub-techniques

Defense Impairment / T1685.006

Clear Linux or Mac System Logs

Sub-technique / Enterprise ATT&CK

Official MITRE entry

Adversaries may clear system logs to hide evidence of an intrusion. macOS and Linux both keep track of system or user-initiated actions via system logs. The majority of native system logging is stored under the /var/log/ directory. Subfolders in this directory categorize logs by their related functions, such as:(Citation: Linux Logs)

  • /var/log/messages:: General and system-related messages
  • /var/log/secure or /var/log/auth.log: Authentication logs
  • /var/log/utmp or /var/log/wtmp: Login records
  • /var/log/kern.log: Kernel logs
  • /var/log/cron.log: Crond logs
  • /var/log/maillog: Mail server logs
  • /var/log/httpd/: Web server access and error logs

Source references

Source: MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise v20, retrieved 2026-10-31. MITRE ATT&CK is a registered trademark of The MITRE Corporation.