The last command
The last command is a versatile and powerful tool used by Linux system administrators to view a history of user login activity on the system. It displays a list of previous login sessions, including the date, time, duration, and remote host from which the login occurred. This information is essential for monitoring user access to the system, identifying potential security breaches, and investigating unauthorized access attempts. The last command allows administrators to track user activities, detect unusual login patterns, and ensure the security and integrity of the system. Moreover, it facilitates auditing and compliance efforts by providing a comprehensive log of user login events, making it a crucial component of the system administrator’s toolkit.
The following example shows the last logged-in users and system shutdown/reboot times:
Figure 9.20 – Viewing last logged-in users and system shutdown/reboot times
