Phooto by JJ Ying on Unsplash
Analyze Logs for Suspicious Activity with ChatGPT
Pattern Recognition
ChatGPT and comparable large language models (LLMs) can examine large volumes of log data to identify suspicious patterns and analyze threats. Armed with smart prompts, you can analyze firewall logs, Windows event logs, and network traffic. ChatGPT also supports rapid error analysis and helps you improve security policies.
In this article, I use ChatGPT by way of an example, but you could just as easily use most of the prompts with other AI bots, such as Gemini and DeepSeek. When you do so, pay attention to data protection; after all, most LLMs use the input data to train the underlying AI model. You will definitely want to avoid uploading any personal or sensitive data to the cloud. If you have a subscription such as ChatGPT Plus or Enterprise, you can largely rest assured that your input data will not be used for training if you select the Off option in the settings in Data controls | Improve the model for everyone .
Evaluating Logfiles
One of ChatGPT's most practical features is its ability to upload logfiles directly to the chat window. You can press the plus sign in the input box to import various file formats (e.g., LOG, TXT, CSV) for analysis. This method is the best way to evaluate firewall logs, Windows event logs, and other security-related data. Alternatively, you can simply copy the unformatted content of the logfiles into the window; however, watch for an error message if the data volume is too large. In this case, simply divide the data into smaller units and enter them into the prompt one after another.
Before you start chatting with ChatGPT, you can give the AI instructions about the kind of response you want. For example, you could type Act as an IT security expert analyzing firewall logfiles . To analyze a firewall logfile, use the prompt Analyze the uploaded firewall logfile and find suspicious IP addresses or unusual
...
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy ADMIN Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Related content
-
Managing GPT-4 on the Network
Now that Microsoft has integrated its GPT-4-based AI chat functions directly into the operating system with Windows Copilot, which now includes Bing Chat and Bing Chat Enterprise, you might want to know how to control or even block its use on the network. -
Chatbots put to the scripting test
The AI skillset is currently limited, so you don't yet have to worry about AI replacing programmers. We look at the capabilities of AI scripting with free large language models and where it works best. - AI/ML Tool Usage Increased 3000% in 2024, Says Zscaler Report
-
CrowdSec crowd security service
Threats can be detected and averted at an early stage with crowd security, in which organizations form a community to take concentrated action against cyberattacks by sharing attack data. We explain how this strategy works with the CrowdSec cloud service. -
Security analysis with Microsoft Advanced Threat Analytics
Classic security safeguards, like antivirus and firewall products, are imperative for system protection. To search proactively for network intruders, as well, Microsoft offers Advanced Threat Analytics – a tool that will help even less experienced admins.
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Most Popular
Support Our Work
ADMIN content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you've found an article to be beneficial.
